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

Four Pillars

TEAM

Engagement survey

First off- I want to thank everyone for participating in the 2025 Engagement Survey AND by that I mean every director, manager, caterer, and teammate!  In just one year, we have been able to reach an additional 400 teammates. We were able to gain insight from 63% of teammates across the company. Simply put: teammates are feeling valued and empowered in their everyday work lives.  Teammates are feeling more informed by their managers and thus more connected to their work. Reviews, Quemmunication, and pre-shift meetings are all forms of information, but this starts with a top-down approach. The most engaged individuals have highly informative managers!  This process does not stop here as we are currently in the Feedforward phase. Look for information over the next weeks on skip-levels from your Market Leader or Regional Catering Director.  

~ Joe Vitullo, Senior Human Resources Generalist

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

TEAMMATE SPOTLIGHT

Dan mitchell | operations insight analyist

What is your current role at City BBQ?  Operations Insight Analyst

What aspect of your role do you enjoy the most? It’s still brand new to me, but the aspect I look forward to the most is being able to help with issues or reduce the stress for our teams in the joints. 

What three words would you use to describe City Barbeque?  Fun, Empowering, Delicious!

What three words would you use to describe yourself?  Work in Progress

If you could switch jobs with anyone else in the company, whose job would you want and why? We all have the same job, just different AOR’s – To serve and create happiness!  Honestly, I just want to do the very best that I can at the job that I have.

Do you have any hobbies or belong to any groups outside of work?  Besides our kids’ never-ending sports schedules, I enjoy yardwork, cooking and spending time with friends and family.

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? Play the guitar.  I'd love to learn our wedding song and surprise my wife by playing it for her on our anniversary.

Do you have a favorite family tradition or one that you want to start?  Other than around the holidays, I think my favorite is family game night.  It has been one of the few things over the years that our children never resisted or outgrew.

What is the most important thing you have learned in life? Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react.

Everyone’s Favorite Recipe of yours or your favorite recipe – Braised BBQ short rib nachos

Skylar Rose | certified trainer, polaris

What is your current role at City BBQ?

Certified Trainer

What aspect of your role do you enjoy the most?

Being able to watch a trainee grow and develop. Finding new ways to improve my training techniques to ensure 100% accuracy when giving training materials. As well as being about to train about our guiding behaviors and seeing the trainee using them their own.

What three words would you use to describe City Barbeque?

Quality, Inviting, Compassionate

 What three words would you use to describe yourself?

Outgoing, Caring, Motivated

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

Probably anyone in the training department. Being able to work behind the scenes on new training materials or training new joints would truly be a dream come true.

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

I truly enjoy being outdoors, hiking, swimming, camping etc. My favorite hobby would have to be golfing, I played for my high school and I truly enjoy getting to play any chance I get.

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

If I could learn anything it would probably be a new language, preferably Spanish to French.

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

I would have to say Christmas Eve, my grandmother always hosts a big party where we all get together.

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

I would have to say never take the small things for granted whether it be opportunities, moments, etc. As well as never let others stop you from accomplishing your dreams or goals.

Everyone’s Favorite Recipe of yours or your favorite recipe

My favorite recipe is my grandmother's Quiche, she made it for every holiday.

RAVING FANS

Arlington

We are visiting from out of town and met Tyler, the Manager, over the weekend. We wanted to support his business and it didn’t disappoint! The smoked turkey breast is a sleeper and you should definitely try it! And it’s not a bbq joint without a side of hush puppies and corn bread pudding both of which are incredible. Even with a vegetarian in the party the plethora of side options makes this place fantastic for everyone. Will definitely be back next time we are in town!

Beavercreek

Heather is the best customer service. Always with a smile and the most patient. Love her and the chocolate chip cookies I have to buy every visit. Thanks city bar BBQ

Buford

Journei was so sweet and welcoming. I mentioned in the drive thru that it was my first time here and she told me just come inside to get the whole experience. I am so glad I did because I was able to get feedback from the staff on the menu items I was thinking about ordering and also I was able to sample a side before committing. The whole staff of this shift was very patient with me ordering and making a decision. I took my food to go and it was still so good and crispy and fresh. I definitely will be back with my friends and family, I hope to see the same staff. I hope to curate a wonderful staff for my own business, like this location has done. Great experience

Call Center

As a loyal fan and supporter of your delicious food, I encountered some difficulties with a few City Barbeque gift cards that were ordered. To resolve this issue, I contacted your home office. During my call, I had the pleasure of speaking with Brandin, who was incredibly helpful, knowledgeable, and patient in addressing all my requests and questions. His assistance made a significant difference in my experience, and he was truly a tremendous help! In today's increasingly challenging landscape of customer service, it was refreshing to engage with a professional like Brandin, who represents your company so positively. I strongly believe that employees like him deserve recognition for their hard work and dedication. 

Cary

I had never been to City BBQ before today it had been a place I wanted to try out and I finally did. When I entered I didn’t think there would be such a large variety of options so I was taken back luckily an associate named Lesly helped me out and in the end it tasted amazing! Lesly was a big help and the atmosphere and service was amazing! Highly recommend!

Castleton

Had a great dinner experience, came in with lots of questions but was very sweetly helped by Emily who answered my questions, took or order , and brought the food to our table for us. Because of her kindness we will be back. Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Catering Akron

The arrival is timely, and Henry did a great job setting up and labeling everything. He even brought extra serving utensils in case any drop. I also received great communication between ordering and delivery.

Catering Atlanta

A very responsive team. I mostly worked with Josh Cristina. He was easy to work with and quick to respond to questions and change requests. Next was our Delivery person, Anthony. He was very proficient and quickly resolved an issue with an item we ordered. He went back to the restaurant to pick up the missing item and was back before anyone knew anything was missing! And finally, I am now working with Telena, our local contact. She has been very helpful with tying up loose ends and providing a local point of contact for future events.

Catering Charlotte

Brittany made the process of determining what we needed and getting it ordered easy and kept in touch. Walt could not have been better in setting up things, despite the event itself being more chaotic than desired. Both were wonderful to work with and the food was great. What made the experience 11/10 was Walt and Brittany.

Catering Chicago

The food was excellent. Damian, the guy who set the food up is very professional. Made sure the whole set up was done neatly and presentable.

Catering Cincinnati

The entire team was a dream to work with, from the ease of ordering and customizing the menu to our exact needs, to the team of people on-site working to get us set up. I truly enjoyed all aspects of working with City BBQ and have recommended this place to anyone who will listen! Not to leave out anyone, but specifically Kelly Carigan and Hillary are catering superstars. Not once did I feel like "any random customer," this group went above and beyond to make us feel like we were their only priority. Plus the food was fantastic. Thank you all!

Catering Columbus

The ordering process was seamless. Josh called and confirmed our order the day before and the delivery person, Jerry Felice, confirmed delivery details the morning of. Jerry was professional, thorough and energetic while setting up and an overall exceptional guy. Thanks Jerry!

Catering Dayton

Excellent customer service all the way around. This order was for our corporate headquarters holiday luncheon and I absolutely loved that City BBQ took care of every detail. It was resounding success, and everyone echoed that it was wonderful, amazing and way better than last years. With this being my first year organizing, you helped me knock this one out of the park and I'm so grateful. I can't thank Lauren enough for her professionalism and being so fun to work with and pulling off the set up expertly in the allotted time so we were ready to go when we needed to be!

Catering Findlay/Toledo

City bbq did an excellent job with their professionalism and punctuality! They were friendly and nice, as well as organized! It was just a pleasure working with Ashley through a stressful time in my life! It was beautiful and delicious!!!! We did the full service with the cast iron layout, so cool!

Catering Greensboro

Brittany Textor was fantastic! She was super helpful from the start and very patient as we worked out last minute details and hiccups. The food was amazing and all of our guests raved. We really apreciated the vegetarian / vegan options and accessible allergen info. 100% recommend City BBQ catering!

Catering Indianapolis

Pam delivered our order - she followed my directions completely and didn't get lost (a huge win!) She was professional, friendly, arrived ahead of schedule, set things up perfectly for our event.

Catering Lexington

Ordering via email was very smooth and easy. Kïtlyn was very helpful with our last-minute changes to what we needed. The speed and accuracy of our order made this an amazing experience. Veronica and Juan were super helpful in setting up and getting us prepared for our meeting. Would use it again.

Catering Madison

Food always tastes great and the delivery person, Keith, was phenomenal!! He gave me a call before leaving the restaurant and then called upon arrival. Setup looked professional but fun!

Centerville

We just went to City Barbeque for the first time today. The food was excellent and reasonably priced. The thing that made our experience top notch however was our cashier Ruth. She was very friendly and took the time to explain all the different options to us. She also took the time to explain the points and advantages of signing up for the club. It’s been a long time since we’ve had customer service that good. 

Chester Road

Antonio should be the face and spokesperson for City BBQ! We got to the Avon location a half hour before they closed. We felt guilty for arriving so close to closing, but Antonio was gracious and accommodating. They were out of an item we wanted and he steered us to other great choices. He knew the menu and sauces very well and was so pleasant and personable. Food was delicious and the place is cool.

Decatur

Ms. Ebony greeted us at the door as first time customers with warmth and helpful information about the menu. With her help we ordered the pulled chicken sandwiches and the wings. We are huge fans! Thank you Ms. Ebony. See you next time we hope

Dublin Green

I just wanted to say that your Dublin Green City Barbeque has great service. I’ve lived near Lexington, KY  and most of my life in Central Ohio ), and I’ve frequented City Barbecues in many locations. But Dublin Green is awesome….LOVE that you have a double drive-thru. My server today at the drive-thru was Matthew, and he was the best! Kudos to Matthew!

Delaware

This location is amazing! The girl who took our order was super friendly and helpful. Manager Kevin is absolutely 5 star. Gave us a couple sample and absolutely made it a totally unique experience that sets this place above any of the other City BBQs we have tried. The 2 meat sampler is absolutely the way to go and in a big fan of their ribs , their sweet BBQ sauce and the banana pudding. Stop in and see Kevin and the team.

Findlay

Awesome food. Customer service was awesome. Definitely will be back. Always super friendly. Allie and her team are excellent. Biggest standout to me was the fact they went above and beyond and gave me some samples of their foods so that I could try them before ordering!

Fort Wayne

Hi, I went through your drive-through this evening to order a sandwich for my husband and was assisted by Reagan. I don’t know Reagan, but she was absolutely phenomenal her friendliness and Customer Service was hands-down the best I’ve ever received in a drive-through at a fast food restaurant or casual dining concept! Bravo! I’m definitely a customer for life. What a great experience and the food was simply outstanding!

Gahanna

The store on Stigler rd. in Gahanna is a great store with super employees. The store is always clean and the food is so fresh and delicious. There is a young man by the name of Dalvin that is so friendly and helpful and always seems to be in a great mood. Thank you City BBQ for hiring such a great group of employees at this location... And keep doing that BBQ like you do and we will be a customer for life.

Greensboro

Had an amazing experience with Alexandria. The entire  team was extremely helpful. I work for Rachael Ray and I literally was live texting her telling her this is the joint thank you thank you so much.

High Point

David immediately gave a cheerful welcome to City barbeque greeting. I told him about my experience on Monday 09/30/2024 from start to finish it was 1000% better than our visit on Monday. Zyahna & Autumn were excellent polite and helpful young ladies!! I glad I was able to receive this type of customer service because after Monday experience I was definitely not coming back. My son like the dirty bird sandwich, I enjoy the not so sloppy Joe with a rib on the side. The Mac n cheese was creamy hot and delicious. This staff represented the business well. Give them some kudos and a raise or bonus or all three. They certainly deserve it!!!

Johns Creek

Shelby did an awesome job to help make our Sunday school class party a success! She was great with the amount of food we needed & if I had any questions she was very prompt getting back with me! Will delivered the food for us & was so kind & prompt! The restaurant is very well managed & organized & truly gives you comfort in ordering from this store! Thank you Shelby & Will for your kindness!! You helped make our party a success! 

Kettering

Had some fantastic brisket and sides. I love the green beans and the fries are good. Shout out to Nate for great service. He was a gracious host on Veterans Day. And went out of his way to be helpful to my mom as she was looking for a box to take home some food.

Lafayette

Came in last week and had a great dining experience. The young lady that helped me, Allison, was so polite. She spoke highly of her workplace, which isn't so common these days. Great food, great experience and great people!

McDonough

Nikeria greet us at the speaker and took our order. We pulled at 9:19pm with the store closing at 10pm. She was very polite and patient as we decided and asked questions as it was our first time visiting. Even when we needed to change our order a bit at the window she didn’t seem annoyed frustrated. Thanks for a Job well done!

Poplar Level

We love visiting this City BBQ location when in Louisville. My adult son is Autistic and very obsessed with talking about the dishwasher and such. Management and staff are so nice and talk back with him. Our food is very good as well. On our last visit the Manager, Ray made it a point to engage with my son about the dishwasher and the process. I would recommend this location for sure.

Sandy Spring

Joe was fantastic! It was first time there and he was so patient with me while I tried to decide. He DEFINITELY understands the meaning of great customer service. The pulled pork is the BOMB!

West Chester

Hot damn! Best BBQ in town, got to get the Carolina gold. Amazing sides too, my favorite restaurant n cheese and that corn pudding, holy moly! This location had exceptionally good service and very clean. Taylor is a very attentive young lady and provides great customer service whenever we go.

Wilmington

Emily H. assisted us at the counter. She was so pleasant and helpful…I’d come back just for the service she provided…even if the food was just okay…which it’s not…it’s just as excellent as her service. We will be back! 🫶

Woodruff

Zion was so nice and friendly! We will order food from there again! Thank you Zion for being so helpful and friendly.

Woodstock

Stephanie was awesome! No matter what I get at City barbecue, the food and customer service is always 5 stars at this restaurant! Thank you Stephanie for exceptional customer service!

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

There are many opportunities for each team member to make a positive impact on both our guests and each other. SMOK’N Hospitality aims to reintroduce essential practices that may have been overlooked or forgotten.

It’s easy to get caught up in the day to day of our worlds and lose sight of the things that are most important: “Our People”, including both teammates and guests. Our business relies on both these critical groups.

When developing SMOK’N and its meaning, the core principles were clear: take care of people, create memorable experiences, and never compromise on quality. Although this may be challenging at times, it is achievable by all team members at City Barbeque. Regardless of your role or department, SMOK’N Hospitality should guide your decisions

Consider how you can create an experience that exceeds expectations. A "WOW" experience by definition means surpassing expectations through innovative and surprising methods or solutions. Establishing emotional connections and showing genuine care for others is key. By aiming for this goal and making it a reality, we can cultivate enthusiastic supporters, both within City Barbeque and externally.

What are some ways to create a positive experience through SMOK’N Hospitality?

FOR OUR TEAM:

• Express appreciation with "Thank You"

• Provide recognition for a job well done

• Acknowledge special occasions such as birthdays or anniversaries

• Honor commitments

• Establish hospitable environments

• Demonstrate and support development paths

FOR OUR GUESTS:

• Create a welcoming environment in each location

• Show concern for their dining experience

• Thank all guests for choosing us

• Ensure food quality, never serve anything that is not competition quality

• If something does not meet guests’ standards, address it until they are fully satisfied

• Make them feel valued

• Ensure each team member has the same guest focus and urgency

• Practice hospitality consistently

Although these lists are not exhaustive or complete, they provide a valuable starting point as you develop your ideas for creating exceptional experiences. Consider the benefits and there importance to our business. When we have satisfied and engaged teammates who look after our guests each day, and who truly understand what it takes to deliver experiences that surpass expectations because they experience them firsthand, everyone gains. Our Guests reap the benefits of high expectations.  l

How will you utilize SMOK'N effectively? What strategies will you employ, and how will you create outstanding experiences?

Follow SMOK’N Content on the following platforms:

• Brainier Modules

• Quemmunication

• GoHappy

• 411

• A Teammate Near You!!!

~ Aletha Dawson, Sr. Director of Training and Recruiting