BBQ Season is here - Let’s make it a great BBQ season - owning the bbq lane

EXECUTIVE MESSAGE

Greetings Team City BBQ! 

We are all extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to work in such a wonderful industry and a very special brand. Beyond that, we are lucky to be part of a team where each of us can play a critical role in shaping the future for so many. It truly is a blessing!  

Each of you contributes to our amazing culture and can make each day better than the last. It takes work, cooperation, communication, and planning. Every day presents a new opportunity to grow, achieve, and improve - both individually and as a team. I would like each of you to contemplate and discuss the following question with your team: Do you and your team demonstrate our guiding principle of improving a little every day?  

The key to making consistent progress lies in setting meaningful goals, working together with purpose, and taking ownership of our contributions. When we combine clear intention with collective effort, we create a culture where every day is better than the last. Set clear professional and personal goals: 

• Professional goals: setting daily work goals helps improve focus, drive productivity, and ensure that every task contributes to a larger objective. Whether it’s completing a project, improving communication, or supporting a teammate, clear goals guide us toward positive outcomes. 

• Personal goals: growth doesn’t stop when the workday ends. Personal goals—like exercising, reading, or learning a new skill - foster balance and resilience, helping us bring our best selves to the many roles we play in everyday life. 

A goal without a plan is just a wish. Have a plan and live with purpose. Taking time each day to plan - whether through a to-do list, calendar, or team alignment—gives structure to our energy. Purposeful planning allows us to be proactive instead of reactive, keeping us focused on what truly matters. It helps us turn intention into action, makes our progress visible and measurable, and most importantly, allows us to control the day. 

Success is rarely a solo effort; teamwork makes progress possible. When we set aligned goals and support one another, we create synergy that multiplies our individual efforts. Open communication, shared accountability, and mutual encouragement fuel collaboration and create an environment where everyone grows together. 

Own your role in the journey as progress begins with personal ownership. Each of us plays a vital role in the success of our teams and our own development. By taking responsibility for our actions, choices, and mindset, we build trust, empower others, and ensure that our collective goals move forward - one day at a time.  

Each day is a chance to be better—individually and together. Set goals, make a plan, take ownership, and lift each other up. That’s how we grow. That’s how we win! 

Committed to getting a little better today,  

~ Mike Muldoon, Chief Executive Officer

Leadership Conference

Conference Host: Aletha Dawson

Hello All,

I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the recent 2025 Leadership Conference, which was truly an enriching experience for all of us.

I have captured a few  highlights from the conference, which was centered around the captivating theme of "Crafting Wow Experiences." There was certainly a lot to talk about and share as it relates to WOW moments.

The conference was packed with impactful sessions and presentations, featuring many great takeaways from esteemed speakers like Rick Malir, Mike Muldoon, Ronnie Berry, Annica Conrad, Kevin Bennett, and several other key figures. Each day of the event was meticulously curated to provide us with valuable information aimed at sparking creativity and passion within our people and the brand.

With so many remarkable highlights, it's impossible to capture them all, but here are a few special notes from our time together:

Day #1 kicked off with an insightful session led by Mike Muldoon, his discussion set the tone for the conference, inspiring us to strive for excellence in our endeavors. This day also brought of three different Moderator-led President’s Club and Market Leader Supported Panels.

The Annual Awards Ceremony was a true celebration of our team's amazing contributions and outstanding performance. We recognized individuals for their high sales, biggest catering events, and overall exceptional achievements in 2024. Some of the notable awards included:

- GM of the Year: Paul Lowe

- ML of the Year: Matt Ferguson

- Support Center Teammate of the Year: Jason Strickland

In addition to the general sessions that addressed the entire audience of leaders, day two was filled with engaging breakout sessions that sparked ideas and collaboration. These sessions have already led to further development and growth for our teams, which is very promising.

The topics covered were incredibly insightful and ranged from critical thinking to effective communication through one-on-ones. We also had a fascinating food experience that delved into food quality indicators, and a session on catering as a growth entity that opened up new perspectives.

I believe these sessions have provided us with valuable tools and knowledge that we can leverage to enhance our team's performance and drive success. Let's continue to build on the momentum and bring these ideas to life.

Thank you all for your participation and enthusiasm. Looking forward to seeing the positive impact of these discussions on our work.

Every year, we receive wonderful feedback, noting that each conference surpasses the previous one. This is a testament to our cultural belief in "Improving a Little Every Day." We are committed to crafting learning and engagement journeys that truly resonate with our teams, providing inspirational and educational information that they can apply in their day-to-day lives of "Serving and Creating Happiness."

These conferences are not only a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with old friends but also a special time to forge new connections. Our goal is for everyone to leave feeling energized and ready to create WOW experiences through SMOK'N hospitality behaviors.

As we concluded the conference, we made commitments based on the shared nuggets of wisdom. Let's keep these commitments at the forefront of our minds and share them often, so everyone knows what is important to us.

Let's go, Team! Let's break barriers, tear down walls, and build a community of knowledge sharing and winning results. Let's aim for WOW Experiences in 2025!

Your Supporter,

Aletha

Four Pillars

TEAM

Big News – And It’s All Thanks to You!

We’re excited to announce two major recognitions:
✅ We’ve earned goHappy’s Happiest Frontline Employees certification!
✅ We’re a nominee for Black Box Intelligence’s 2025 Employer of Choice Award in the Fast Casual sector!

Your feedback helped us achieve a 75%+ engagement score — well above the national average — and it's a clear sign that together, we've built something special.

These honors reflect your hard work, positive energy, and commitment to making our workplace one where people feel valued and supported.

Congratulations to every one of you! This is your win — and we couldn’t be prouder. 🎉

~ Jillian Armstrong, Teammate Experience, HR Director

Guest

At City Barbeque, everything we do is rooted in serving our guests with care, craft, and convenience—and that’s never more evident than when we roll out a craveable new LTO. This summer, we’re firing up excitement with our newest limited-time offerings: Pork Belly Burnt Ends and Strawberries & Cream Cobbler. Whether guests come in for the smoky, caramelized richness of the burnt ends or stay for the sweet, summery finish of the cobbler, we’re creating moments worth savoring. 

But our commitment doesn’t stop with the LTO menu. From protein-packed meal prep with meats by the pound to easy, crowd-pleasing solutions with our Party Packs and award-winning catering, we continue to be the go-to for quality, value, and convenience. Guests trust us not just for what’s on the plate, but for how we make them feel—welcomed, taken care of, and genuinely appreciated. 

As we head into summer, let’s keep showing up for our guests in every interaction, every order, and every bite. Because when we deliver memorable meals and meaningful moments, we don’t just win guests—we keep them coming back. 

~ Annica Conrad, Chief Brand Officer

Process

We are thrilled to announce the roll out of our new POS system! The first pilot location at Dublin Green has already begun, and we will follow with the Polaris joint next. If all goes according to plan, we will initiate a company-wide swap starting in July and continuing through October. 

Additionally, we are eagerly looking forward to getting back to opening new joints starting in September. More information on both topics will be provided soon. 

Our Q2 SMOK’N Priorities roll on as we strive for 85% Service and 80% Food scores in ReviewTrackers. We are so close, so keep pushing! Your dedication to excellence in service and food quality is what makes us stand out. 

Stay tuned for further updates! 

~ Dave Skerl, Director of Strategic Implementation

Financial

Following a strong Memorial Day performance, we're seeing encouraging momentum as we head into barbeque season. We're optimistic that a strong Father’s Day and a solid summer will help offset the challenges we faced in the first quarter. As always, we're committed to supporting company initiatives and continuously seeking smart, strategic ways to save money and reinvest in growth. Thank you to everyone for your ongoing efforts and dedication. Wishing you all a busy, successful, and safe summer! 

~ Tadd Christensen, Director of Finance

RDo reflections

Hello City BBQ Team,  We are in the heart of BBQ Season, and our team members are getting out in the community and WOWING guests.  Now is a great time of year to join in on festivals, Special Events, Partnerships with local nonprofits, and more. Being the Mayor of the Community is and always has been embedded in our culture.  Who will you have drive your business?  We have some great examples of our teams getting out in the community and engaging our guests. When we take the time to make an impact outside of our four walls, we build lasting relationships with our community partners and local families. 

Congratulations to Jess Pyles and the Raleigh Market for the multiple awards they won and the live events we have been part of.  Winning Cary Magazine Best BBQ.  

Another congratulations to Jennifer Satterfield and the Atlanta Market for winning Taste of Alpharetta and #1 in food that rocks out of Sandy Springs.  

Multiple events are happening around all our Markets. Great job focusing on being a great brand ambassador and taking ownership to build your business! 

~ David Steiger, Regional Director of Operations

Catering Chatter

B-B-BINGOOO!

I hope that when you read this, you mentally envision me saying this while riding a winged-laser-eyed lion on top of Mt. Everest when we hit our sales goal… I’m sure ChatGPT can help with that. (You got it, Ted - visual has been made)

Anyway.

Sales Bingo was the latest think-tank product of our very own Jesika Woody (Catering Sales Manager – Raleigh NC). Each CSM was given a bingo card of prospecting activities to accomplish – things such as: Blitz 3 days in a week, make 15 cold calls in a day, be sales positive YOY for the period, and/or collect 10-business cards. Through the month, we dripped encouragement, dropped ideas, and just had as much fun as we could. We saw a spike in sales for P5… and it created a cohesive bond with the team, but, more importantly, instilled the fact that it’s important to continue to prospect as much as possible.

Jesika’s next initiative will be an adventure-style team board game for Q3. That’s just your teaser… but we’ll want to lean on EVERYONE in the company to encourage our sales team to continue to prospect like a maniac.

It’s not as easy as it sounds and certainly not always fun. But with the support of the company, and a fun twist, we can continue to truly build something special. When you see them in the joint or in the wild: Challenge them yourselves to go attack a certain business since you see their polos in the dining area all day + Ask them how the Sales Board Game is going (when we release) + Remind them of the construction site you passed on your way home + What did you come across on social media/TV + Remind them of that distant town/area. You just never know… and knowledge is power!

Thank you for the support we continue to receive!

 ~ TED INC, Regional Sales Director

BBQ BRAVOS - Shoutouts

Tiara eck-martin

Values: Memorable

Success Story: Not only does she make sure the guests are taken care of and happy, she does the same for her coworkers, always willing to go the extra mile!

Shelby Rast

Values: Service

Success Story: Shelby is always smiling and making the guests feel comfortable and greeted, as well as her coworkers. The environment is a happy one when she is working, and everyone is excited to be a part of the team! She is always getting great customer feedback and a huge helping hand, going above and beyond at everything she does.

Brooke Davis

Values: Service

Success Story: I have seen her achieve so much since I started working there.

Cassandra Nowark

Values: Memorable

Success Story: Cassie always makes an impression, she is hard working, detail-oriented oriented reaching for perfection with everything she does. It is too difficult to pick just 1 time Cassie had left a memorable event. Cassie is always smiling, and even though she is very professional, she is funny and kind.

Sam Baynes

Values: Kitchen

Success Story: Sam is always diligent in focusing on following the recipes to the letter. He contributes his thoughts on reducing the amount of dressing used in our Cole Slaw recipe, which was modified by corporate.

Eduardo Barcenas

Values: Service

Success Story: Eduardo always goes above and beyond to make each guest feel at home in our joint!

Jack Garcia

Values: Order Accuracy

Success Story: During one of our recent rushes, Jack was our only boards man for a smorgasbord of orders. With that, he carefully sorted through his orders and communicated with FOH to correctly and quickly sell orders out. Even though the atmosphere was intense, he always kept it civil and joyous.

Jenna Lynch

Values: Service

Success Story: She’s a great manager

Sydney Schley

Values: Order Accuracy

Success Story: Sydney works on expo most nights and does a fantastic job. She is never without her marker or pen to make sure that each ticket has been built correctly and is accurate so each guest leaves satisfied with everything they ordered.

Denise Harper

Values: Service

Success Story: Denise is the most kind and respectful individual I have ever met. She always has a smile on her face & gives the best customer service that she can. She comes to work every day with a bright spirit, ready to give customers a great experience. I never met an individual like her. she is one of a kind.

Values: Kitchen

Success Story: I love how Mrs. Denise is as a City Barbeque Manager, she is responsible, very clean within her environment, she loves to teach others, and we also learn as a group. She’s the best city BBQ worker within the FOH managers. She’s nice and would welcome you with open arms - the best mom on the job. You could come to her about anything, and she would definitely hear you out and help with whatever is needed!

Kailey Frye

Values: Service

Success Story: Kailey returned from delivering a catering order and jumped in to help us while we were struggling. Without Kailey’s help, there definitely would have been a lower quality of service to the guest, but she helped us make sure everyone was well taken care of in a timely manner.

TEAMMATE SPOTLIGHT

Jack GaRCIA | tEAM mEMBER, cASTLETON

What is your current role at City BBQ? 

My current role at City BBQ just depends on the day. Some days you’ll find me at the front serving and helping customers with a smile on my face. Other days you’ll find me on boards, carefully crafting each meal. I also spend some time on Pits where the journey of our food begins.

What aspect of your role do you enjoy the most?

The aspect of my role that I enjoy the most is adding a positive and supportive vibe to the workplace. Each day I look forward to making someone smile. 

What three words would you use to describe City Barbeque? 

Pretty Freakin’ Awesome

What three words would you use to describe yourself? 

Friendly, Outgoing, Caring

If you could switch jobs with anyone else in the company, whose job would you want and why?

I plan to move up in this company as far as possible. In fact, I would love to one day work amongst the big wigs. Maybe even owning my own business one day.

Do you have any hobbies or belong to any groups outside of work? 

My hobbies outside of work include having fun with my kids and doing fun things. I am also a chef; I love to cook and am glad to be making a career of it. IU studied the art of food, both at home and in school as I grew up.

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

 I would love to be more openminded to people’s emotional aspect of their lives. I feel that I can be more of an emotional person, and it would be beneficial to both my work life and my home life.

Do you have a favorite family tradition or one that you want to start? 

My favorite tradition is doing something I like to call “cooking a memory.” I love bringing people together over a good meal, laughing and talking for hours.

What is the most important thing you have learned in life?

I feel that learning top give people the benefit of the doubt and go be there for family. All the while, remembering people each live in their own universe tailored to themselves is the most important thing I’ve learning in life.

Everyone’s Favorite Recipe of yours or your favorite recipe –

I would say that personally I love to cook just about anything, although I am definitely partial to Surf and Turf. Whenever somebody needs something cooked, they come to me. I like to call myself the “Jack” of all trades when it comes to cooking, as I like to cook in all ways!

Brooke Davis | Assistant Manager, Fairlawn

What is your current role at City BBQ?

Assistant Manager at the Fairlawn joint

What aspect of your role do you enjoy the most?

I enjoy having a part in leading our crew and encouraging us to improve as a team every day.

What three words would you use to describe City Barbeque?

Friendly, Competitive, Handmade

 What three words would you use to describe yourself?

Focused, Detail Oriented, Leader

If you could switch jobs with anyone else in the company, whose job would you want and why?

Rebecca Burleson. Training is a passion of mine and I would love to be able to have such a big role in the development of City BBQ. Becky always has so much knowledge to share and the best attitude.

Do you have any hobbies or belong to any groups outside of work?

My partner and I just purchased our first home and through this experience I have learned that I love home design and gardening.

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

I would love to learn an instrument and how to read music.

Do you have a favorite family tradition or one that you want to start?

For summers now, my immediate and extended family get together on Sundays to play volleyball. We split up into teams and it can get intense.

 What is the most important thing you have learned in life?

Together is better. I’m the oldest of 5 sisters and a brother and it has been a together mindset from the beginning. Being from a large family has helped me grow in team dynamics.

Everyone’s Favorite Recipe of yours or your favorite recipe

My mom makes me her banana pancakes every year for my birthday. My favorite breakfast and a nice tradition.

RAVING FANS

Acworth

Todd was very attentive, Darlene was welcoming and Tatiana was very patient and polite. The meat was tender the potato salad was delicious and the chili was banging! We will be back for sure.

Went for lunch today, service by Christian at the DT window was awesome! Trio tacos are great just a little spicy 😋 overall great! We will be back.

Had to try new place. Bowen was such a sweet employee & that’s a great thing to have! We tried Brisket, pulled pork, ribs, green beans, baked beans, potato salad & fries. We’re big rib eaters but had to try other things. Pork & brisket were good love the swine wine. I’m sure we’ll pop back in at some point. It was packed, so I’m sure this place will do well.

Ballantyne

This is our go to BBQ spot cause of the hospitality and consistently providing great BBQ! Ethan at the front with his warm welcome and Jason in the kitchen making things perfect is why we come!

From the first day I set foot into City BBQ 2 years ago I have been so pleased. Ethan, Jason, Sacha, Taylor, and the rest of the crew.  I have always had exceptional service. This team never disappoints.  I will end with this: the food OMG. What is supposed to be hot is hot & cold is cold.  I love some city BBQ!

Beavercreek

Jack and Katherine at the Beavercreek CB were great. Jack even asked me if I was there for pick up. Another time I came I wasn’t helped very quickly. (dinner rush) The whole staff was awesome especially since they were busy for NYE. Thank you

I would like to extend appreciation for the excellent service my husband & I received when employees Gabe took our dine-in order, Arabella & Jake filled/delivered our food order & Andrea checked to ask us & other customer's if our food was okay. We all said our food was great. City BBQ can be proud to employ such polite & caring individuals. We will return again soon because of every excellent experience & great food. Thank you.

Buford

Man I don’t know where to start but I want to start by saying Thanks to Koko, Tim, Ms. Lynn and Aaron! They really work as a team and make your visit feel like you’re with family! From the sides to every meat they have the answer for every question and help you make sure you make the perfect selections. This is a 5 star restaurant service! I pray they all are blessed with an abundance of business! This is the perfect team!

Castleton

I’m a regular here on the weekends here and love seeing Emily’s smiling face. She’s extremely welcoming and makes my overall experience much more enjoyable.

Centerville

Sally and her team always serve up the highest quality food.

The best City BBQ location!! Kaylynn provides top notch customer service! You must go!

Chester Road

Great customer service, kudos to Tony in the dining room, over the top with service and courtesy.

Dayton Catering

Stephen Brown helped me tremendously with a catering order to be donated to Centerville Police Department. Thank you so much City BBQ!!

Decatur

Everybody was super nice! Kierre was amazingggg! And so was the cook Twon!! The food was very fresh and everything was good.

Kierre was the best server ever, his hospitality was remarkable and is a beast in the kitchen.

Dublin Green

I filled out the tellcitybbq survey and thought they’re might be a shout out for a staff member and now realize it was first and I could not go back. I must give some huge props to Allyssa! Allyssa was unbelievably kind, and efficient and generous! My husband is recovering from brain surgery & steroids make him HUNGRY! He gave me his order which wasn’t part of your preset menu items and she took my post it and made it happen with bonus cookies because she compassionately could tell I’m weary. She is hard worker as I noticed she never stopped filling bags of orders and yet when I was giving my order she never seemed impatient or rushed, she gave me time as I was not an easy order. Allyssa is a hard worker, warm, friendly and efficient and also compassionate, a rare combination and she is a treasure to your company.

Fairlawn

Trevor, Parker and the whole crew are the best! Great service and great food! Can’t beat it!!!

Findlay

My husband and I went to the City Barbeque in Findlay, Ohio last evening for dinner.  We were greeted at the register to order by a young and bubbly employee named Samantha!  She asked us how we were, she complimented my outfit, she joked with my husband who was offended (jokingly) that she didn't compliment his outfit.  She had the most radiant and lovely customer service that I have witnessed in years.  I am a school teacher and have been in education for 38 years.  Let me tell you, young employees like her are few and far between!  She gently informed us of the rather long list of menu items that were unavailable that evening.  She was simply amazing! During our meal she popped over to our table to check on us and continued with her infectious personality.  Please, please, please find some way to honor, reward, and recognize "Samantha" for an extremely job WELL DONE!! 

Fort Wayne

Great place to eat in Fort Wayne. Staff had lots of energy (shout out to Zed for making the first experience great), clean areas, and nice atmosphere to sit down and eat in. Make sure they ring the cowbell when you order the "More Cowbell" sandwich.

This was my third time here. Every experience has been FANTASTIC!! Kim was extremely helpful and friendly! She gave my teen sons samples since it was their first time and they weren’t sure what to order. The food is spectacular, always hot and portion sizes are awesome. The entire staff is great. Thank you!!

Garner

The truth is…this City BBQ is responsible for me being a repeat customer and for me telling others about City BBQ. Most recently, I had the awesome opportunity to interact with Mr. Johnny, the manager and Janye. They are simply amazing in how they deal with the customers. Today, I could tell that they care about their customers from the interaction with the customers in front of me. In addition, I was making an individual order but was also working on a project to help some deserving children. Without batting an eye and even before I could finish, Mr. Johnny jumped in and committed to helping. The truth is he didn’t have to! Special thanks goes right there. Jayne is someone that makes you want to come back with her welcoming demeanor and knowledge of the food. Hats off to you. You certainly have made me a loyal customer!

Greenville

Daneka waited on me at the drive-through. She was extremely courteous and professional throughout the entire process. As a previous business owner, I appreciated when outstanding employees represent the business in such a positive manner.

IUPUI

Ronni is definitely a 5-Star service ambassador that goes above & beyond every times I drop in the (westside) City Barbecue, Thanks Ronni you are the Best!!

Johns Creek

I want to provide feedback regarding two of your employees at Johns Creek, GA. Mark and Lindsay gave "GREAT" Service. My mom is very young in her 90s and they welcomed us and serviced us so well! They were so kind to see that we had a pleasant dine-in experience. Give them an "at a boy" and "at a girl" recognition ... thank you City BBQ! 

Kentwood

Looking for quality smoked meats, BBQ, and sides? Look no further. Do yourself a favor and stop in. The food is amazing and the staff could not be more helpful or friendly. Jairo, Nicole, Dom, Eric, Lais, Dylan, Ra-Chez, Jayla… (sorry if I missed anyone) are all prime examples of who you’d want to hire to ensure you know daily operations will go smoothly and you get return customers.

Zach is the MAN! My partner and I have consistently had wonderful food and service here, but Zach took it above and beyond. He was friendly and helpful and accurate with our order and brought it over himself. We'll definitely keep coming back here.

Kettering

I came to the joint with a older lady who went through a stoke recently, The older lady ordered a salad but she was saying that the lettuce was to big for her to eat due to her fearing she might choke, the older lady went up to Nathan Messenger explaining her concerns and he took it upon himself to cut up the lettuce and help the lady out of the kindness of his heart. He has the attitude of a saint he was so helpful and kind he’s just a overall amazing employee and he’s the reason I will continue to return back due to his hospitality, Their was another time where the POS system went down while I was in the drive thru and Nathen did everything in his power to help me which I found astonishing.

Excellent experience, food cooked fresh, good portions, great menu selection, great management & friendly employees. Shout out to Alexis, Steven, Bradley, Brennen, Jordan & other employees who filled our order & made us feel valued. Will definitely recommend & return. Also gave review of 5⭐️’s on Yelp. Employees most deserving! 

Madison West

We really enjoyed the pork sandwiches and fresh cut fries. Next time I’d like to try the corn bread too. Loved the drink options (especially the sweet tea) and bbq sauce. Alexis’ service was particularly noticeable and extremely pleasant. She was great to interact with!

McDonough

Food was delicious! Chanterra was my host & she gave me great recommendations and her customer service was magnificent!

Miller Lane

I help coordinate a series of large meals for the cast and crew of Muse Machine(100 +). I did a last minute request for a large order and I got the date wrong! Steven, the manager, made everything happen without a flaw in a short amount of time. The parents of Muse Machine cast and crew are so thankful for the outstanding service and food we received. Thank you Lisa, Steven, and team.

Polaris

Every time we’re there, Tracy R. comes out to say hello to us and make sure we have everything we need…her energy is top notch and she’s definitely the type of employee I’d want working for my company.

Poplar Level  

I recently visited 4027 popular level road in louisville KY. I had the young man Camron serve me at the counter. Very nice young man. He served each person in my party. Very polite and helpful to each one of us. The other workers in the store very polite and professional.

Raleigh

When I walked in, I had no idea what I wanted to order since it was my first time at the restaurant. However, I was warmly greeted by Jojo, and his positive energy immediately stood out. He offered me samples until I figured out what I liked best, helping me make my decision. Everything was clearly made fresh, and the open kitchen was clean and organized. I highly recommend the brisket or the ribs. As for the sides, everything was delicious, but my personal favorite was the mac and cheese. Once I finished eating, I decided to go back in line for dessert and tried the banana pudding. After my first bite, I soon realized I will never be leaving City BBQ without a couple of portions of that pudding. Overall, a fantastic experience, and the only downside is that I don't live closer.

Always a great experience and the food is delicious! On my last visit, Griffin, one of the managers, was extremely professional and friendly and went above and beyond to make sure the restaurant was running smoothly! We will definitely keep coming back.

Reynoldsburg

Savon is a very  good at his job, and very friendly. One of the things I enjoyed most was talking about his Grandpa a Tustige airman of WWII.

Rochester Road

We were immediately welcomed by the GM Ed, who asked if this was our first time. Since it was, he explained the menu to us, asked our favorites and was extremely helpful. Our order was ready quickly, everything was plated very nice, was hot and fresh! Ed even gave us samples of the item we had never had before. The portions were very generous, we even had leftovers to take home. The staff were all super friendly, the restaurant including the bathroom was very clean, bright, and well stocked. I cannot say enough good things about our experience. If you're in the area - stop in and meet Ed and his staff - you won't be disappointed!

Sandy Springs

We love coming to city BBQ to see Jenn, she always takes such good care of us. between the top notch food and environment, we never hesitate to stop by for lunch or dinner.

Snellville

Maryann was a great front line person with lots of smiles and great up sale abilities. Her warm friendly smile just make me feel great. The food was great and I'm gonna compare the food to just as good as Foggybottom BBQ in loganville if not better!

Solon

Mercedes was great, the service was exceptional, & the food was quick & tasty. Well done!

Toledo

Big thanks to Jay. He made a potentially bad review turn into a good one. Glitches in the phone ordering system caused me to not be able to order since it was so close to closing time.  I asked to speak to a manager and was transferred to Jay in Toledo. He was very kind and professional and his customer service went above and beyond. Businesses and managers need to take lessons from him because he was excellent. Not only did he take my order and assure me it was no problem, he even accepted the coupon I tried to use online, plus he threw in a piece of chocolate cake at no charge. I haven't received this type of customer service in a long time. After dealing with glitches in online ordering and then on the phone, I had lost about 45 minutes of my time and because of Jay and his simple acts of kindness, he made my day. Thank you Jay and keep on being a great example of how customer service is supposed to be. City BBQ is fortunate to have you and I hope they realize it.

University Place

I love this place always good food and friendly people. The staff are always on point and man Malik and my girl Sabrina are just to of the biggest smile when me and my wife walk in. We always dine in because on the atmosphere is good.

Vernon Hills

Outstanding customer service from the cashier Stacy. She help me celebrate my birthday by offering me a free slice of cake & $5 off my meal! Thank you so much. I am glad me and my co-worker put a smile on your face today!

Julia and the staff were so welcoming for our first time! Great staff, amazing food! Definitely a go to if you’re craving good BBQ or catering for a party.

West Chester

I walked into City BBQ in Westchester feeling weighed down by the heaviness of today’s world. The moment I stepped in, Tony’s presence was like a balm for my spirit. I was lost and unsure of what to order but he stepped in with genuine kindness and spot on recommendations that completely turned my day around. Thanks to Tony I left not only with an amazing meal but also with a renewed sense of hope. I’ll definitely be coming back to City BBQ. Tony, you made more of a difference today than you know. Thank you

Wendell Falls

Such a great experience!  Delicious food!! The pork and macaroni and cheese were among the favorites. Cassie provided terrific customer service.  We will definitely be back!!

One of the few if not only restaurants in Wake County that has southern hospitality. The sweet tea taste like grandma made it, the hush puppies can bark, and the BBQ can squeal. If you ever run into an issue, Ryan will make it right.

Whitestown

My parents wanted to give a shout out! Chris really went above and beyond for them. He actually cared about their concern and corrected it quickly. My parents said ‘that’s how you keep customers!’ They’ll definitely be back!

Wilmington

Josh, the manager was so friendly. He made sure we got what we asked for and exactly like we asked. Everyone of the staff there was so nice. You could tell they all worked as a team. If you haven't tried it, you need to. It will be your favorite BBQ place. Our family is coming in town soon and we will be bringing them there.

Winston - Salem

The service is awesome 👍🏼 , I'm going to call out Denise for being an awesome person, Even having a laugh with me, I asked for a suggestion she said I'll give you a sample of all the meats which was awesome. The overall atmosphere of this place is great and it's wide open for family Great place to bring your family and your kids and just sit down and enjoy. 

Winter Park

Allison was very friendly and for my first time there she helped me with the menu and gave me plenty of samples. She was wonderful and made the experience outstanding. Her personality from my first time here was like no other very friendly and knowledgeable. Definitely recommend coming back here again for the service.

Terisha has amazing customer service she is a keeper time trying this amazing place. I will be back not only for the food but for the amazing service Terisha gave me. God bless.

WoodRuff Rd

Great food! Great service! Special thanks to Meka for good service! Highly recommend the Sampler.

Food was great and customer service was excellent from all of the staff. Shelby was so kind and went above and beyond to make sure we had a positive experience!!

Woodstock

The staff at this location is absolutely amazing! The dining room was very clean, and our food was fresh and accurate. I would like to especially recognize the employee Veronika for her very professional manner and helpfulness

milestone anniversaries

Congratulations to alexander wellington (pictured left) for 5 years at the Powell location, Tynae Jefferson (pictured middle) for 10 years at our avon location, and Jeremy Lehman (pictured right) for 25 years at the upper arlington location. what amazing milestones for all!

QUEMMUNITY

aS kEVIN bENNETT STATED: Remember, a major key to our success in 2024 was the notion that sales are a controllable. 

We do that by being the Mayor in our Town.  We take every opportunity to get out in our community and show them what City BBQ is all about. 

I’ve seen some amazing pictures and heard some awesome stories so far this year. 

If you are not out in your community, ask for help

We have the answers!

Beginning of year COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

BE A POSITIVE MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY!

Have you participated in any community or charity event/drive, or volunteered for any cause, either as a team or individually, at work, home, church? Please send your information and any photos you can provide to hr@citybbq.com, with Quemmunity in the subject line. We’d love to publish them in a future newsletter under this feature! We want to “share the wealth in a sustainable fashion!”

How do you win the community? Win the hearts of the competition, get them to mention you in their posts. It takes someone to understand how hard we all work to be the best on the block to congratulate them when they are beaten, but then have the courage to step back up and do the next one.

Aletha’s INSIGHT

I hope this message finds you well and in high spirits! It's time to take a moment to celebrate the incredible journey we've been on since we launched SMOK’N, our rebranded and invigorated approach to our Guiding Behaviors. Several months back, we set out to reenergize our teams and breathe new life some of the behaviors we focus on daily. I am thrilled to say that SMOK’N has truly achieved that goal.  However, our work doesn't stop here. It's essential that we keep the passion and enthusiasm around our Guiding Behaviors alive every single day, during every shift, for every guest, and among all teammates.

Let's take a closer look at the first two letters of SMOK’N: S and M. These letters might mean different things to different people, and that's perfectly okay! One of the best things about City Barbeque is that we all connect to our culture in our own unique ways. SMOK’N isn't about a single person's thoughts or experiences; it's a starting point with endless possibilities, and it's all about what we make of it together.

Let's start with S for Service. Going above and beyond to make every guest feel welcomed and appreciated is at the heart of what we do. We can get caught up in our tasks and the hustle and bustle of taking care of other guests or needs, but we must always remember why we are here: to serve and create happiness. Sometimes, creating happiness can be as simple as a warm "Welcome in today, we are so glad to see you." How will you create happiness for your guests today?

Next, let's talk about M for Memorable. Memorable is all about how we create a special place in our guests' hearts and minds. How we show up and create meaningful connections, treating them like we truly value and appreciate them instead of just another order that is a transaction. Our guests mean a lot to us in so many different ways and each interaction is an opportunity to show them just that. We have a great process for ensuring a memorable experience for guests that may be experiencing City Barbeque for the first time. Our First Time Guest Program is a fantastic way to really WOW those who have never dined with us before. In many of our joints, 40-60% of guests may be first-timers. That is a big number and an even bigger opportunity to create a lasting memorable experience for those guests. Provide samples, visit their table, offer signing up for our rewards program, and thank them for choosing us. Make sure everything from the greeting to the "Please come back and see us soon" is personalized and heartfelt. Connect, serve, and be genuine!

One of the best ways to ensure SMOK'N stays top of mind in all joints is by having designated SMOK'N champions. Our Team Durham's SMOK'N Champions, Caleb and Chelsey, have been shining examples of embodying this value. Their dedication and exceptional service have left a lasting impression on our guests, and we can all learn from their outstanding efforts. Who is your SMOK'N Champion?

Thank you for your continued commitment to living our SMOK'N culture and creating WOW experiences for everyone. Let's keep the energy and passion alive and make every day a remarkable one!

~ Aletha Dawson, Sr. Director of Training and Recruiting

find past EditionS