Fox Run Bar-B-Cutie Promises Tasty Alternative

John Summa, owner of the new Bar-B-Cutie location opening soon in Fox Run Shopping Center. (Photo by Rob Tornoe)

The restaurant business has achieved a certain notoriety for being especially mercurial, with the commonly held belief that two-thirds of all new restaurants will fail in their first year. While that estimate may be a bit high (it is closer to 25%), the fact remains that in the context of the current economic crisis in America, opening any new business is fraught with risk. It is this that makes the infectious confidence of John Summa, co-owner (along with his wife Debbie Summa) of the new Bar-B-Cutie location in Fox Run Shopping Center, so remarkable.

In all fairness to Summa, it is a confidence borne of experience—23 years of owning and operating several Domino’s Pizza franchises in New Jersey provides that in abundance—and it is experience that he expects to allow him to succeed in a location where several restaurants have come and gone over the last few years. “More than 55,000 cars pass by [Fox Run Shopping Center] each day,” noted Summa. “And there are more than 25,000 residents within a two-mile radius. The location isn’t a problem.”

Though his prior experience in the food-service industry may have involved pizza delivery in great quantity, there’s never been any question as to what sort of food Summa loves. “Ever since I was a kid, growing up in the south, I loved barbecue,” he said, adding “I’ve always wanted to bring barbecue to this area.” Summa’s path to realizing this ambition began two years ago, when he discovered the small, Nashville, Tennessee-based Bar-B-Cutie restaurant chain on the internet.

Still a family-owned enterprise 58 years after its founding, Bar-B-Cutie has 16 current locations across the country. Though centered in Tennessee, this down-home chain has larger aspirations. “They have over 200 commitments for franchise openings for 2009 alone,” said Summa, “including one in Manchester, England.”

Despite the current state of the economy, Summa is optimistic about Bar-B-Cutie’s chances for success, and his own franchise in particular. “To open a franchise with a McDonald’s, or KFC, one of those guys, you need to have $1 million in assets, and $1 million in net worth. Bar-B-Cutie connects prospective franchisees with third-party financing,” Summa explained. According to Bar-B-Cutie’s website, the projected costs for opening a franchise are in the $350,000-$450,000 range.

For an experienced hand like Summa, though, success or failure always depends upon the basics. “You have to have a good product, you have to have good service, and you have to project a good image,” he explained. The product certainly promises to be unique to New Castle County, as each 500-lb batch of Bar-B-Cutie barbecue is smoked for four hours, and then low-cooked for another 12 hours—16 hours in all.

Described by Summa as “quick-casual,” Bar-B-Cutie promises both quality as well as quantity—with portions described as “very generous,” a full meal will cost $9.50, while a $6.25 combo will always grace the menu.

Summa is optimistic that his restaurant will be open for business next week, but like the slow-cooked barbecue he plans on serving, he’s willing to take his time to make sure he gets it right. “This is just the best friendly franchise to get into,” gushed Summa, “and the food is just an unbeatable value.”