Is Sonny’s BBQ going out of business? For many years, Sonny’s BBQ has been a household name among Americans for its finger-licking ribs and tasty BBQ sauce. But recently, there have been some rumors flying around that Sonny’s BBQ might soon be shutting its doors.
Really, many Sonny’s BBQ restaurants have closed down in the last few months. But does that mean the end of the company is coming? Perhaps there is some aorta of truth in the rumors, or it’s just another rumor you should take with a pinch of salt.
In this post, we will be taking a closer look at Sonny’s BBQ and its recent operations to help you find an answer to this same question that has lingered in the heart of many. So, is Sonny’s BBQ going out of business? Keep reading to find out!
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A Quick Look at Sonny’s BBQ and What it Stands For
Started in Florida back in 1968, Sonny’s BBQ has been firing up its grills for decades. With its humble beginnings, this BBQ joint has managed to stay in the game all the way to 2023.
The company started way back in 1968 when Floyd “Sonny” Tillman and his wife Lucille decided to set up shop in Gainesville, Fla. That was the starting point, and by 1977, Sonny’s BBQ was no longer just a solo act. It had grown into a chain, with multiple restaurants joining the BBQ franchise.
Sonny’s BBQ has gained huge popularity among Americans for its slow-smoked meats, including pulled or sliced pork, beef brisket, St. Louis Ribs, baby back ribs, and chicken.
When you walk into Sonny’s BBQ restaurant, you also got to enjoy some really good appetizers like loaded tater tots, BBQ pork egg rolls, fried okra, wings, and corn nuggets. They also offer some delicious side dishes, desserts, and a selection of kids’ meals.
Is Sonny’s BBQ Going Out of Business?
No, Sonny’s BBQ is not going out of business. While it is true that some of the restaurant’s locations have permanently closed their doors in the last few months, that doesn’t mean the company is closing down soon.
Sonny’s BBQ is a chain of restaurants with multiple franchises. So, that a few of its locations are closing down doesn’t mean the company will also wind up soon. One of Sonny’s BBQ location closures in December 2021 was that of its joint in Fort Myers, Florida.
But while the location permanently shut down operations, a new barbecue restaurant sprouts up in the same building. That shows that the closure was deliberate – Sonny’s BBQ wanted to shut down the location intentionally.
Some more locations have also been closed down due to one reason or the other. However, Sonny’s BBQ is a big chain of restaurants whose permanent closure cannot be determined by a few joints closing down.
In fact, there has not been any official statement from the company about this rumor – whether it’s closing down or not. And there is no indication whatsoever that the business is closing down soon. So, is Sonny’s BBQ going out of business? The answer is NO!
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Why Have Some Sonny’s BBQ Restaurants Closed?
Perhaps you are now wondering why a few of Sonny’s BBQ restaurants are shutting down. Well, according to Ron Donley, the owner of some Sonny’s franchises, Sonny’s had to close down three out of eight of its restaurants towards the end of last year.
One of those was in Oakwood. The reason? They couldn’t finish the remodeling work as fast as the big bosses at Sonny’s wanted. And because of that, Sonny’s corporate team decided to take away their franchise for the Oakwood location. Since they couldn’t meet the deadline given to them, their franchise was taken away, and the location was closed.
A similar issue happened across many Sonny’s BBQ restaurants too, and that was the reason they were shut down. Apart from that, some of them also suffered regulatory problems and so couldn’t continue to do business under Sonny’s BBQ franchise and so had to close down.
Which Sonny’s BBQ Restaurants Have Closed Down?
Let’s quickly take a look at some of Sonny’s BBQ spots that have closed their doors. We will also give reasons why some of them closed. So if you are thinking of going to your favorite Sonny’s restaurant for a finger-licking BBQ sauce, you should first check if the restaurant in your area is still in operation.
- Sonny’s BBQ restaurant in Jacksonville’s Southside closed after 38 years in operation: The Sonny’s BBQ at 5097 University Blvd. W. served up delights for 38 years but closed its doors recently without giving much of a hint about why. They only displayed a notice at the entrance of the restaurant that they had closed.
- Sonny’s BBQ in Charlotte also closed down after about 40-plus in business: Charlotte’s Sonny’s BBQ, which had been a steady source of slow-cooked goodness for over 40 years, also wrapped up its story.
- Venice location closes after 20 years: The Venice Sonny’s BBQ, in business for two decades, faced a crossroads when the corporate team asked for a modern makeover. Since the bill was around $500,000 and sales were slow, they opted to shut down instead.
- East Orlando’s Sonny’s BBQ location closed too: The restaurant at 310 S Alafaya Trail in Orlando served its last plate on December 24, 2022, after a multi-year run. If you have always enjoyed having a nice time at this restaurant, you can do that no more!
- Temporary closure in Winter Park: Over in Winter Park, a local Sonny’s BBQ faced a temporary shutdown due to health code violations cited by an inspector from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. But they have now cleared that and asked the restaurant to open its door to customers again.
- Fort Myers’ location closed: After 36 years of BBQ magic in Fort Myers, the Sonny’s BBQ restaurant made its exit. However, the building didn’t stay empty for long, as a new barbecue spot named Mitchell’s BBQ took its place.
- Oakwood Sonny’s BBQ location is also closed: In Oakwood, Florida, another Sonny’s BBQ closed its doors in 2019.
- Port Charlotte’s location also closed after serving its customers for more than 22 years: Sonny’s BBQ in Port Charlotte, which had been firing up grills for 22 years, also recently turned off the flames for good.
You can now see why people are asking, ‘Is Sonny’s BBQ going out of business – many of its popular locations have closed up in the last 6 months. However, the brand presently has more than 170 locations scattered across the country. A few of them closing down doesn’t mean the end of the road for Sonny’s BBQ.
FAQs
Is Sonny’s BBQ Going Out of Business?
We have already exclusively answered this question in this post. But as a reminder, Sonny’s BBQ is not going out of business. While some of its popular locations recently shut down due to various reasons, that doesn’t signify the end of the road for Sonny’s BBQ. And there has not been any official statement stating that the company will soon be going out of business.
Is Sonny’s BBQ Facing Financial Challenges?
In the midst of closures and shifts, one might wonder if Sonny’s BBQ is going through some rough times financially. However, the answer is no. Despite recent closures of certain locations, the overall financial health of Sonny’s BBQ remains steady. There is no official statement or any indication that the company might be passing facing any financial challenges presently.
Who Bought Sonny’s BBQ?
Back in 1988, the business was sizzling, with 77 locations spreading across six states. That’s when Tillman, the founder, decided to sell the company to outside investors for a sum of $3 million dollars.
In 1991, Bob Yarmuth bought Sonny’s BBQ and has since then been the SEO of the company. Around the early 2000s, Sonny’s BBQ was the largest barbecue restaurant chain in America. Imagine having around 150 hotspots spread across nine states. This has been a huge factor that has contributed to the popularity of Sonny’s as we have it today.
How Much is Sonny’s BBQ Worth?
While the complete financial picture of Sonny’s BBQ isn’t openly shared, the company does offer insights for those curious about investing in its franchise. By the close of 2021, a franchisee survey showed that each restaurant was raking in an average of $3.044 million in annual sales.
Not just that, almost half of the participating restaurants – specifically, 47.73 percent – were hitting or even surpassing this impressive sales benchmark.
Is Senior Discount Available at Sonny’s BBQ?
Like many other restaurant chains, Sonny’s BBQ also offers senior discount in some of its locations. For instance, Sonny’s Real-Pit BBQ offers a 10% senior discount to their customers who decide to eat in. But in Ling’s Buffet in South Lakeland, a 10% senior discount is only offered to customers that are 65 years and above during its lunch buffet.
Is Sonny’s BBQ Available for Delivery?
Yes, there are now pickup and delivery options available in some of Sonny’s BBQ locations. Some of their restaurants around the U.S. and Canada allow customers to order delivery or pick up their orders. But as expected, there is an additional fee associated with this, and these fees can vary depending on your location.
Is Sonny’s BBQ Going Out of Business – Final Note
If you are a fan of Sonny’s BBQ, chances are you have also heard the rumor going around about the company closing its doors soon. But it’s just a rumor; Sonny’s BBQ is not going out of business. We have shown you all we know about this in this post, and we believe they are enough to convince you the company isn’t going anywhere anytime soon!