Who Owns Smithfield Chicken and BBQ? The Flavorful History Behind NC’s Iconic Restaurant Chain

Hey y’all! If you’ve ever driven through eastern North Carolina and caught that unmistakable aroma of slow-cooked pork and fried chicken, chances are you’ve stumbled upon one of Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q’s restaurants. As a North Carolina native myself, I’ve always wondered about the folks behind this beloved chain that’s been serving up our state’s signature Eastern-style barbecue for decades. So I did some digging to find out exactly who owns Smithfield Chicken and BBQ, and the answer has quite an interesting history!

The Founding: Junius and Maggie Moore

Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q hasn’t always been the chain of restaurants we know it as today. The restaurant’s history starts in 1977, when Junius and Maggie Moore opened the first location in downtown Smithfield, North Carolina. They called it Smithfield Bar-B-Q and focused on serving their community real Eastern North Carolina barbecue.

The Moore family quickly grew by opening a second restaurant in Clayton, North Carolina, which is close by. In 1979, they opened a second location in Salter Path, which added to their success. This was the start of what would become one of the most well-known restaurant chains in North Carolina.

Growth and Expansion

In the early 1980s, the business started to grow across eastern North Carolina. Not only did they open up new locations, but they also changed their menu to include more fried chicken and barbecue, which is why they changed their name to “Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q.” “.

By the 1990s, the restaurant chain had made its way into the bustling Raleigh-Durham area, bringing their unique flavor profile to more urban markets while maintaining their down-home cooking style.

Current Ownership: Gregory Moore

Today, Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q is owned by Gregory Moore, son of the original founders Junius and Maggie Moore. This makes Smithfield’s a true family business that has managed to stay in the hands of its founding family for over four decades – something increasingly rare in today’s corporate restaurant landscape.

Under Gregory Moore’s leadership, the restaurant chain has maintained its commitment to traditional Eastern North Carolina barbecue methods while adapting to modern business practices. As of March 2024, the chain boasts 41 locations throughout North Carolina and has even expanded into the digital realm with an online store.

The Smithfield’s Business Model

What’s interesting about Smithfield’s is their approach to growth. Rather than rushing to become a nationwide chain, they’ve focused on regional dominance and quality control. This strategy has allowed them to maintain consistency across locations while preserving the authentic flavors that made them successful.

The business operates through a mix of company-owned restaurants and franchise locations. This hybrid model has helped them expand while still maintaining the family’s influence over food quality and preparation methods.

Franchise Relationships

It hasn’t always been smooth sailing, though. Smithfield’s has had some problems with franchise owners in the past few years. The magazine Business North Carolina says that there have been disagreements between corporate leaders and some franchisees about brand standards and operational rules.

These kinds of disagreements aren’t uncommon in franchise operations, but they highlight the challenges of maintaining a consistent brand while working with independent business owners who have invested in the Smithfield’s name.

What Makes Smithfield’s Special?

I’ve eaten at plenty of barbecue joints across the state (it’s a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it!), and there’s something distinctive about Smithfield’s that keeps people coming back:

• Eastern-style BBQ: Unlike Western NC barbecue which uses a tomato-based sauce, Smithfield’s stays true to Eastern Carolina tradition with a vinegar-based sauce that perfectly complements their slow-cooked pork.

• Fresh, never frozen chicken: Their commitment to quality shows in their crispy, perfectly-seasoned fried chicken.

• Homestyle sides From Brunswick stew to cole slaw and hush puppies, the sides aren’t an afterthought – they’re part of the experience

• Regional identity: By focusing exclusively on North Carolina, they’ve become woven into the cultural fabric of the state.

The Restaurant’s Place in NC Culture

For many North Carolinians, Smithfield’s isn’t just a restaurant – it’s a tradition. Family gatherings, post-game meals, and office lunches often center around their famous chicken and BBQ boxes. The restaurant has become a cultural touchstone, particularly in eastern North Carolina.

When you mention Smithfield’s to locals, you’ll often hear stories about childhood memories of the restaurant or family traditions built around their food. That kind of emotional connection is marketing gold that can’t be manufactured – it has to be earned over decades.

Challenges and Controversies

Like any long-standing business, Smithfield’s has faced its share of challenges. In 2017, the company found itself in hot water after a controversial incident involving some employees and local police officers. The situation was addressed quickly by management, but it demonstrated how even established local businesses must navigate today’s social media landscape carefully.

Additionally, as mentioned earlier, there have been some reported tensions between the corporate entity and franchise owners. These kinds of growing pains are common for regional chains, especially family-owned businesses that transition from smaller operations to larger networks of restaurants.

Looking to the Future

Under the continued leadership of the Moore family, Smithfield’s appears poised to maintain its position as a North Carolina institution. While many regional restaurant chains eventually sell to larger corporate entities, Smithfield’s has thus far remained independently owned by the founding family.

This independence gives them flexibility to adapt to changing consumer preferences while staying true to their core identity. Recent additions to their strategy include:

• Expanding their online presence
• Offering catering services
• Creating an online store for their signature sauces and products
• Modernizing restaurant interiors while maintaining their casual, welcoming atmosphere

Why Ownership Matters

You might be wondering why it matters who owns a restaurant chain. In the case of Smithfield’s, ownership directly influences several key aspects of the business:

1. Recipe integrity: Family ownership helps preserve original recipes and preparation methods.

2. Community connections: Local ownership typically results in stronger ties to the communities they serve.

3. Decision-making: Independent ownership allows for quicker adaptation to regional tastes and preferences.

4. Long-term vision: Family businesses often plan for generations rather than quarterly profits.

Smithfield’s By the Numbers

As of March 2024, here’s a quick snapshot of Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q:

• Founded: 1977 (48 years ago)
• Locations: 41 across North Carolina
• Headquarters: Smithfield, North Carolina
• Website: scnbnc.com
• Ownership: Gregory Moore (son of founders Junius and Maggie Moore)

Smithfield’s vs. Other Chicken and BBQ Chains

How does Smithfield’s compare to other similar chains? Here’s a brief comparison:

What stands out is that Smithfield’s has maintained both family ownership and regional focus while many competitors have gone corporate and expanded nationally or globally.

My Personal Take

I’ve been eating at Smithfield’s since I was knee-high to a grasshopper, and there’s something comforting about walking into any location and knowing exactly what to expect. In a world where most restaurant chains are owned by faceless investment groups, there’s something refreshingly authentic about a place that’s still run by the same family that started it.

The next time your driving through North Carolina and you see that familiar Smithfield’s sign, you can feel good knowing your supporting a true family business that’s been perfecting their craft for almost 50 years. Their chicken’s always crispy, their barbecue’s always tender, and their sweet tea is always, well… sweet enough to make your dentist cry!

Final Thoughts

So there you have it – Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q is owned by Gregory Moore, carrying on the legacy started by his parents Junius and Maggie Moore back in 1977. In a restaurant industry increasingly dominated by private equity firms and international conglomerates, Smithfield’s stands out as a successful family-owned business that’s stayed true to its roots.

Whether you’re a North Carolina native or just passing through, when you eat at Smithfield’s, you’re tasting a piece of authentic regional cuisine that’s been preserved through generations of family ownership. And in my book, that makes their chicken and barbecue taste just a little bit better.

Next time you’re craving some Eastern-style BBQ and perfectly fried chicken, you now know exactly who to thank for keeping those traditions alive!

Have you got a favorite Smithfield’s location or menu item? Drop me a comment below – I’m always looking for recommendations for my next barbecue adventure!