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This is It! Southern Kitchen Bar-B-Q

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Brand Highlights
  • Founded in 1982
  • Franchising Since 1992
  • 1 US Franchises
  • $414K - $840K Investment Range
  • $2M Average Gross Revenue
  • 5% Royalty Fee
  • $45K Franchise Fee
Brand Description
This Is It! Southern Kitchen Bar-B-Q stands as a beloved cornerstone of authentic Southern cuisine, delighting guests with its signature BBQ and soul food offerings since 1982. With multiple locations across the Southeast, this franchise has perfected the art of combining traditional Southern hospitality with consistently exceptional food quality.

The restaurant's menu showcases an impressive array of Southern classics, from perfectly smoked BBQ rib tips and tender smothered pork chops to their famous fried chicken that customers willingly wait extra time to ensure its fresh-made perfection. Their sides are equally celebrated, with their mac and cheese, collard greens, and sweet potato soufflé frequently praised as 'just like grandma's.'

What sets This Is It! apart is their unwavering commitment to fresh, made-from-scratch cooking and generous portions that provide excellent value. The franchise has built a reputation for maintaining exceptionally clean establishments and delivering outstanding customer service, creating an environment where guests feel like family.

The restaurant's business model successfully bridges quick-service convenience with the quality of home-style cooking, offering both dine-in and drive-thru options. Their catering services have become a go-to choice for family reunions, corporate events, and special occasions, demonstrating the brand's versatility and broad appeal.

For potential franchisees, This Is It! represents an opportunity to join a well-established brand that maintains high standards while delivering the authentic taste of the South. Their proven operational systems and dedicated support structure help ensure consistency across all locations, while still allowing each restaurant to maintain strong community connections.
DID YOU KNOW?

How much does it cost to start a franchise with This is It! Southern Kitchen Bar-B-Q?

$414K
$840K
Starting your own This is It! Southern Kitchen Bar-B-Q franchise, where authentic pit-smoked meats and traditional Southern hospitality meet modern fast-casual dining, requires a total investment between $413,754 and $840,205, which includes the $45,000 franchise fee plus all equipment, buildout, and working capital needed to bring that legendary barbecue experience to your community.
Financial Summary
Franchise Fee
$45K
Investment Range
$414K - $840K
Investment Midpoint
$627K
Minimum Cash Required
$414K
Royalty Fees
5%
Brand Fund
2%
Brand Bragging Rights
40+ Years Proven BBQ Heritage Since 1982
Exceptional Revenue Performance - 130% Above Industry Average
Authentic Southern Kitchen & Soul Food Concept
Low & Slow Smoking Expertise
Real Southern Hospitality & Heritage Focus
Diversified Menu Beyond Traditional BBQ
Financial Analysis
This Is It! Southern Kitchen Bar-B-Q requires an investment range of $413,754 to $840,205, positioning it as a mid-tier franchise opportunity within the BBQ sector. The investment sits above the sub-sector's average minimum of $255,977 but below the maximum of $1,164,427, reflecting a substantial but accessible entry point for qualified investors.

The franchise demonstrates exceptional financial performance with gross revenue of $2,267,119, significantly outperforming the BBQ sub-sector average of $985,804 by 130%. This remarkable revenue achievement showcases the brand's strong market appeal and operational effectiveness.

With 11 units currently operating and a 40+ year operational history since 1982, This Is It! represents a proven franchise system with demonstrated concept viability and recipe refinement. The boutique scale may offer more personalized franchisor support while maintaining focus on quality over rapid expansion.

The BBQ restaurant segment benefits from Americans' enduring appetite for comfort food and authentic regional cuisine. Southern BBQ concepts particularly resonate with consumers seeking experiential dining that combines heritage with hospitality.

Key considerations include labor-intensive smoking operations, food cost management, and competition from both independent BBQ joints and national chains. The concept requires hands-on leadership and understanding of Southern hospitality standards, with multi-unit development potential for qualified operators in underserved markets.
Expected Investment Range
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Average Gross Sales
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Financing
Financing Details

Franzy connects you with top-tier financing partners to help secure the funds to invest in a franchise like This is It! Southern Kitchen Bar-B-Q. Whether you're looking for a loan or exploring other financial products, our partners provide expert guidance to ensure you obtain the necessary capital. They specialize in offering solutions tailored to the needs of franchisees, making the process of securing financing smooth and straightforward.

Why Financing with Franzy Partners?

Choosing to finance through Franzy's partners ensures you get the best terms and support for your franchise investment. Our partners have extensive experience in the franchising industry and offer specialized financial solutions tailored to your needs. With competitive interest rates and flexible repayment options, you can find the right financing plan that fits your budget and goals. Our partners are committed to providing personalized guidance throughout the financing process, making it easier for you to secure the necessary funds and confidently move forward with your franchise venture.

Finance Partners
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Tenet Financial

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CRF USA

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First Bank of the Lake

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Live Oak Bank

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Pension Pros

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Preferred Funding Group

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Guidant Financial

Financing Partner

Location Analysis
This is It! Southern Kitchen Bar-B-Q, established in 1982, has built a focused regional presence across multiple states, demonstrating particularly strong market penetration in Georgia with additional expansion into Alabama. The franchise's average rating of 3.75 across thousands of customer reviews indicates consistent performance and established brand recognition in its core markets.

The franchise's geographic footprint suggests a strategic focus on the Southeast, with a notable concentration in Georgia's suburban and urban markets. This concentrated presence has allowed the brand to build strong local recognition and optimize operations within its core territory over its 40-year history. Strong performance metrics in key locations like Douglasville demonstrate the potential for above-average success in well-selected markets.

Ideal locations for This is It! typically feature high-visibility sites in middle-income suburban areas with strong daytime population and family demographics. Success factors include proximity to commercial districts, accessibility from major thoroughfares, and adequate parking. The brand's Southern BBQ concept particularly resonates in markets with established BBQ culture.

Expansion opportunities exist in underserved markets throughout the Southeast, particularly in Tennessee, South Carolina, and Florida, where similar demographic profiles and food preferences align with the brand's core offering. New franchisees should focus on locations with median household incomes above $50,000 and daily traffic counts exceeding 20,000 vehicles.
Total US Locations11
Open Franchises1
Corporate Locations10
Average Sq. FootN/A
Territory Map

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Franchise Net Unit Growth
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Additional Information

Executive Team

Get to know the leadership behind This is It! Southern Kitchen Bar-B-Q. Learn about the experience and expertise of the executive team guiding This is It! Southern Kitchen Bar-B-Q's success. For more details, refer to Item 2 of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).

Litigation

Review any legal actions or pending litigation involving This is It! Southern Kitchen Bar-B-Q. Understanding the legal history helps assess potential risks and the brand's business practices. For more details, refer to Item 3 of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).

Bankruptcy

Review This is It! Southern Kitchen Bar-B-Q's bankruptcy history and any filings by key personnel or affiliates. This critical information provides transparency about the brand's financial stability and management. For more details, refer to Item 4 of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).

Franchisor Assistance

Learn about This is It! Southern Kitchen Bar-B-Q's comprehensive support system for franchisees, including initial training programs and continuous operational assistance. Understanding the available resources and support structure is crucial for franchise success. For more details, refer to Item 11 of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).

Frequently Asked Questions
Disclaimer

The information provided on this page is based on the latest Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) that is publicly available and that we have on record. This information is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal, financial, or business advice. We make no guarantees or claims regarding the completeness or accuracy. For the most current and detailed information, we recommend consulting the franchisor directly for the most recent FDD and regarding any questions that you may have about the information provided.

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