Time for a career change. Now is the perfect time to open a restaurant.
In googling it there are five BBQ joints, which is more than I expected.
Take a look at these and tell me which one you would take a flier on.
DUBs: https://www.dubsbarbq.com/
Dickey's: https://www.dickeys.com/
BBQ Pitstop: https://www.bbqpitstop.com/
Rib and Chop house: https://www.ribandchop.com/
BBQ Hut: http://www.bbqhututah.com/
Now I know enough to rule out Dickey's right from the get go. It doesn't appear to have an outdoor pit, and it looks like a fast food chain. At best it might be City BBQ quality, but I doubt it.
Rib and Chop probably looks the best, but it also looks like it is the kind of joint that would charge over $22 a plate.
Which one would you guys be brave enough to try?
As far as opening a BBQ joint, there is indeed a lot of potential here. The region is known as "Utah's Dixie" and they take a lot of pride in that. As such a southern themed eatery with over the top Dixie references would be a killer. There are a lot of unique regional sides as well (google "funeral potatoes") that would give it the Dixie flavor with a Utah twist.
But as discussed upthread, the food industry kind of blows, and most restaurants fail quickly, especially with Covid restrictions.