Franchise Information

Franchise Information form

(Note: The Evaluation form is in PDF format, you will need to have Adobe Acrobat reader to view the newsletter. If you do not have Abode Acrobat reader installed on your computer, please go to this link: download Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

Franchise FAQ's

Corky's Concept Drawing

If you know barbecue, you are probably already well aware of Corky's Ribs & BBQ Restaurants, a "Memphis Landmark," according to Restaurant Hospitality Magazine. Corky's has been serving award-winning ribs, pork, and beef barbecue and distinctive side dishes to appreciative patrons since 1984. Even people who are not barbecue fanatics know Corky's. Our uniquely satisfying ribs and barbecue, quality service, and inviting family atmosphere have brought the restaurant national acclaim. Corky's received national recognition by being named "Favorite BBQ" by Southern Living in 1996 and 2000, as well as being featured in the Wall Street Journal and USA Today. Corky's was selected to be the exclusive caterer to the House of Blues during the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.

Corky's, LLC is a master franchise organization developed to expand the Corky's concept nationwide. Now qualified entrepreneurs are being invited to put the wide range appeal of the Corky's BBQ business to work for themselves. Support and guidance from the experts in the restaurant industry and the Corky's BBQ franchise program offer an opportunity for you to enjoy the time-tested operating and management systems that have helped make Corky's BBQ Restaurants so successful.

A.C. Jackson: Legendary Server for over 40 years

Due to the rising demand for barbecue, it is an important consideration that Corky's management and operations systems allow easy and efficient operation at high volumes. Recent industry surveys include a surge in popularity of barbecued ribs that few foods can match. Restaurant & Industry Magazine reported restaurants are adding ribs to their menus more than any other entrée. Ribs are appearing 21% more frequently on menus now than in recent years, according to Restaurant Business Magazine, and pork appeared 26% more frequently. As a barbecue specialist, your Corky's franchise will be well equipped to satisfy customers' growing appetite for ribs and barbecue.

With consumers as concerned as ever about time and money, fast food continues to play a leading role in the restaurant industry. A growing emphasis on value by the aging Baby Boom generation is making casual restaurants the darling of the coming years. As owner of a Corky's franchise, you will enjoy the flexibility to cater to the active and changing lifestyles of a broad range of customers.

Corky's Ribs & BBQ Restaurants adhere to a time-tested recipe for customer and owner satisfaction. Every ingredient of the Corky's system, from restaurant design to service techniques and marketing, has been developed for efficiency and ease of operation. The Corky's franchise program enables you to put our recipes to work for your benefit.

KEY INGREDIENTS FOR CORKY'S RIBS & BBQ SUCCESS

  • Effective design combines comfort and efficiency

    Corky's Restaurants are designed to make authentic Memphis-style barbecue accessible to a broad range of customers. Aromatic hickory smoke draws customers inside, setting the tone for a casual, friendly atmosphere. Corky's provides a great place to bring business guests, family, or friends. High volume service is possible with Corky's management and operations systems, maximizing the potential and profits of each restaurant.

  • A distinctive menu satisfies a variety of appetites

    Corky's Ribs & BBQ specialties include hickory-smoked pork, beef, chicken, and barbecue ribs. The ribs are specially cut to Corky's specifications, cooked long and slow in hickory-fired pits and smothered in Corky's own tangy barbecue sauce, or sprinkled with secret-recipe dry seasonings. Corky's Ribs & BBQ Restaurants combine traditional Memphis-style barbecue with exclusive ingredients and preparation techniques that give Corky's meaty, tender ribs a flavor all their own. Regular or jumbo-sized pork and beef sandwiches offer other alternatives. Piping hot BBQ baked beans, crispy fresh coleslaw, and home-baked bread compliment every dinner order.

    Poultry items, sandwiches, and salads satisfy lighter appetites, while specials like hot tamales with chili or Cajun shrimp appeal to the more adventurous taste. Delicious homemade pies and apple cobbler round out a menu that is hard to resist.

  • Flexible service capabilities expand market potential

    Corky's Ribs &BBQ Restaurants make it easy for customers to enjoy their favorite barbecue by providing a variety of service options. Those who prefer to eat on the premises will enjoy the friendly and attentive staff. The wait staff trained in Corky's high volume service techniques gets orders out quickly while still sizzling hot.

    Convenient carry-out and drive-thru services offer customers multiple avenues to enjoy Corky's BBQ either individually or with bulk orders. Corky's tested catering capabilities enable you to bring delicious, traditional, southern ribs and barbecue to gatherings throughout the community. The potential for increased sales these sources provide is very significant. Catering especially represents a tremendous opportunity.

  • Powerful promotional programs build market awareness

    While word-of-mouth advertising can play a big role in attracting customers to a Corky's Ribs & BBQ franchise, you can benefit from a variety of tested promotional strategies designed to increase exposure in the market. As a franchise, you will conduct newspaper, radio, and television advertising campaigns. A franchise will want to provide its menu to church groups, government institutions, schools, corporate customers, and many others to make it as easy as possible to order. Charge accounts can be established for customers who make frequent bulk orders. A franchise will certainly want to participate in a variety of high profile community events that introduce Corky's uniquely delicious barbecue to those who may never have tried it.

  • Ongoing guidance enhances growth potential

    The Corky's Ribs & BBQ franchise enjoys the total support of a professional organization by a team of experienced restaurateurs dedicated to franchise growth. A franchise will receive ongoing support designed to help make the business run smoothly from the start. That support includes:

    Site selection assistance:

  • Restaurant design plans and equipment specifications
  • Training in Corky's Ribs & BBQ operating systems and financial controls
  • A comprehensive operations manual
  • Access to quality, approved suppliers
  • Access to propriety recipes and ingredients
  • Grand Opening promotional assistance
  • Assistance in establishing catering and bulk service capabilities
  • Ongoing promotional assistance
  • Scheduled operations consulting visits
  • Much, Much More!

Even with Corky's key recipe for success, you still might ask yourself, why a franchise? By outpacing GNP growth nearly 1000% in recent years, sales growth through franchises has changed the face of American business. The Department of Commerce has called franchising "the leading method of doing business in the 1990s."

Franchising is a popular way for entrepreneurs to go into business because 94% of franchising companies responding to a recent survey reported that their operations were successful. Of franchise owners surveyed, 82% reported satisfaction with their jobs, making them possibly the "most satisfied workers in America." Sales through franchised-established businesses grew an estimated 114% between 1980 and 1990 and exceeded one trillion dollars in 1994.

The Corky's Ribs & BBQ franchise opportunity puts the power of franchising to work for you! If you are looking for a business designed to satisfy customers and owners alike, we invite you to consider the Corky's franchise.

If you are interested in learning more about your potential with the Corky's Franchise Program, we urge you to act quickly, since the number of franchises in your area may be limited. To take the next step, please fill out the Franchise Evaluation Form. We look forward to speaking with you soon.


(Note: The Evaluation form is in PDF format, you will need to have Adobe Acrobat reader to view the newsletter. If you do not have Abode Acrobat reader installed on your computer, please go to this link: download Adobe Acrobat Reader.)