Our Story

In 1966, Buddy Smothers and his wife LaMuriel became the owners of their first restaurant, the Pixie Drive Inn in Seymour, Tennessee. Within a year, business doubled, and LaMuriel and Buddy sold the Pixie Drive Inn and headed to Alabama to master bar-b-q under their dear friend, Bob Sikes.

Shortly thereafter, the first Buddy’s bar-b-q opened in 1972. Within three years of opening, Buddy had to expand the restaurant to seat 150 people and was fast becoming famous for serving delicious bar-b-q and bluegrass music. Word spread from the 1982 World’s Fair in Knoxville, where people began to recognize Buddy’s as a Tennessee bar-b-q tradition. With the help of their guests, Buddy’s perfected the taste that would define the Buddy’s bar-b-q guests know and love today.

Buddy’s bar-b-q is still family-owned, now three generations strong, with 19 locations across East Tennessee — with more to come.

Shortly thereafter, the first Buddy’s bar-b-q opened in 1972. Within three years of opening, Buddy had to expand the restaurant to seat 150 people and was fast becoming famous for serving delicious bar-b-q and bluegrass music. Word spread from the 1982 World’s Fair in Knoxville, where people began to recognize Buddy’s as a Tennessee bar-b-q tradition. With the help of their guests, Buddy’s perfected the taste that would define the Buddy’s bar-b-q guests know and love today.

From classics such as our Pork Sandwich and Smoky Wings to new takes on American classics like our Hawg Back Fries, Buddy’s stays true to its roots.

The Buddy’s brand has been woven into the fabric of East Tennessee by consistently offering a welcoming atmosphere where all meats are smoked daily with a bar-b-q pit at each location. At Buddy’s, we pride ourselves on providing great value to the community, so each guest can have A Smokin’ Good Deal™, every time.

Ready to join the Buddy’s bar-b-q family?

Take the first step toward owning a Buddy’s bar-b-q franchise.

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