WACO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Vitek’s BBQ, one of Texas’ oldest barbecue restaurants (founded in 1915) and winner of the Cooking Channel’s 2013 “Best College Eats in America” contest, announced today that it will “turn the world on to the decadence of the Gut Pak and glorious BBQ from the gods” by offering a limited number of franchises to overtake the world, but first, it will expand in Texas.
"Vitek’s BBQ is a Waco, Texas and Baylor University institution complete with crazy people," said Bill Barnes, President, Vitek’s BBQ Franchise LLC. "People have injured each other trying to get a Gut Pak, so we’re leveraging our successful 98 years in business and combining it with a franchising model that utilizes best practices in the restaurant industry to position us for growth and put a franchise in every corner of the earth—even Poland.”
“Our brand experience is so powerful that people all over the country will want a Vitek’s in their backyard,“ said Julie Keith, owner of Vitek’s two original locations in Waco and fourth generation of the Vitek family to own the restaurant. “But, since we’re not building them small enough to fit in a backyard, they’ll have to settle for around the corner. Vitek’s proprietary techniques and recipes are so good, you’ll want to lick your own face. Almost 100 years ago, my great-grandfather established a legacy of serving damn-fine barbecue to customers in manner so friendly you’d think we’re dating.”
The franchise program has been developed with the help of Houston-based Liberty Development and will be rolled out initially in Texas with national expansion plans to soon follow. World domination and “A Gut Pak in every gut” won’t be far behind. Qualified franchisees will be provided with comprehensive training, use of the Vitek’s BBQ brand and its proprietary recipes as well as all the barbecue you can eat … after you buy and cook it.
"Vitek’s BBQ is a great brand with a solid franchise business model," according to Kevin Hogan, president of the Liberty Development Consulting, who worked with several franchisor companies including Whataburger, Denny’s, Jiffy Lube, Interstate Batteries, Church’s Chicken and Shell Oil Company. “‘They are approaching this new venture the right way: slow and controlled — like good barbecue should be done — to ensure that its franchise partners are successful."
The company is requiring applicants to have a minimum net worth of $750,000, minimum liquid assets of $175,000, a running automobile and several pairs of pants. Barnes said that Special Consideration will be given to any applicant who meets the minimum financial requirements, a background in foodservice operations and a realistic hairpiece. Vitek’s expects to have a few franchises operating by the end of 2014, a couple more by the end of 2015 and 131,574 by mid- 2061.
About Vitek’s BBQ
Founded in 1915 by William Frank Vitek, a career butcher, Vitek’s opened initially as Vitek’s Grocery and Meat Market, but, in the early 1970s changed the name to Vitek’s BBQ because they didn’t want people to think it was a singles bar. The restaurant has been passed down through four generations and is now owned by Julie and Jason Keith. The restaurant, a Waco institution, is home of the famous Gut Pak, winner of The Cooking Channel’s “Best College Eats in America,” competition, Texas Monthly’s “20 Reasons to Love College Football,” and Marty Singovitz’s “I Wish It Were Kosher” Award three years running. Visit Viteksbbq.com for more information.
