Owners of the Montgomery location of national restaurant chain Moe’s Original BBQ share the ins and outs of owning and running a franchise plus the factors driving their decision to expand.
\”You have to be dedicated to putting in the work. Richard and I worked 14-hour days, six days a week, for about 18 months when we first opened. Owning a business is certainly challenging, and we are continuing to learn new things as we go. But at the end of the day, if you put in the time and effort, you should have a successful result.\”
– Hill Lubin, co-owner of Moe’s Original BBQ in Montgomery
Moe\’s Original BBQ was founded in 2001 by three Alabama natives— Ben Gilbert from Athens, Mike Fernandez from Tuscaloosa and Jeff Kennedy from Huntsville. More than 20 years later, Moe’s BBQ is now being served in more than 60 locations nationally and even internationally. Montgomery is home to one of the franchises, and its success has given owners Hill Lubin and Richard Boyles the confidence to grow by adding a second location in Central Alabama in the coming months, despite facing a new set of post-pandemic challenges. Lubin elaborates and offers his experienced advice to others interested in a restaurant franchise
When and how did the business get started?
My business partner, Richard Boyles, and I opened Moe’s Original BBQ in Montgomery in July of 2017. I am originally from Montgomery, and Richard is from Alexander City. We met in 2015 through the three guys that started the Moe’s franchise.
Why did you choose to go with a Moe’s franchise?
Richard and I have been a part of the Moe’s Original BBQ Franchise System for a combined 25 years. I started working for the founders of Moe’s Original BBQ in Vail, Colorado, in 2010, and Richard has known the three founders even longer. Around 2015, Richard and I got together to begin scouting locations to open our own store. With me being from Montgomery and Richard being from Alexander City, we both felt that Montgomery needed a fresh take on BBQ.
What does this “fresh take” look like?
We are a “Southern Soul Food Revival.” We specialize in Alabama-style barbecue, so pulled pork, smoked chicken, smoked turkey breast, St. Louis style spareribs and smoked wings. Also, we make our sides (that rotate daily) and desserts on a daily basis. We offer two BBQ sauces—our traditional red sauce and then an Alabama-style white sauce, that originated in North Alabama.
Are any new locations on the horizon for Moe’s?
While we are only operating a brick and mortar store in Montgomery, we are planning to expand to a second location within the next year. We have always been looking to expand our brand. We felt that having multiple locations in the Tri-County area would be our long term goal, as we want to provide our food and atmosphere to as many people as possible. Finding a new location is always difficult when exploring new areas that we’re not totally familiar with. Also, with what the world has experienced over the last few years, there are many new hurdles we’re having to overcome that we didn’t necessarily have to deal with when we opened our first location.
What would you tell someone looking to be a part of a restaurant franchise?
You have to be married to your restaurant. As anyone in the industry will tell you, the restaurant/bar business is extremely difficult and time consuming. If you are not willing to put in the blood, sweat and tears, then the restaurant and hospitality industry is not for you. Also, don’t throw in the towel when times are tough. It took us a few years for our business to blossom, and as hard as the first couple of years were, it paid off in the end. That being said, we do not stop trying to be better at what we do. We are always trying new things, and want to share these with our customers.
