BBQ Holdings, Famous Dave’s parent franchisor, has struck an agreement with DTSG, one of its legacy franchisee groups, to open a cafeteria-service style prototype dubbed Quick-Que’ in September in Minnetonka, Minn.
In 2020, BBQ Holdings purchased Real Urban BBQ, a cafeteria-style barbeque restaurant concept that inspired the new line-service model for Famous Dave’s. Quick-Que’ will provide the same Famous Dave’s menu items the chain offers in its casual dining style restaurants, but this new service model will deliver the fare faster and in a format that reduces overhead for franchisees, according to the brand.
“Quick-Que’ is a major leap forward for us as a brand,” says Jeff Crivello, BBQ Holding’s CEO. “Not only will the line-service prototype provide a more convenient experience for customers without compromising the quality of the food it will also create a more affordable and potentially much more profitable model for franchisees.”
Famous Dave’s Quick-Que’ is only the beginning of the brand’s plans to upgrade its restaurants. Next, the franchise plans to add a drive-thru to its line-service model, creating even more convenience for customers and a new revenue stream for franchisees.
“We are constantly thinking of new ways to provide better experiences for customers and more successful businesses for our franchise owners,” says Crivello. “We learned so much from our acquisition of Real Urban BBQ, and we’re excited to put everything we’ve learned to use in this new restaurant model.” Famous Dave’s also recently revamped its casual-dining prototype to reduce the overall footprint.
BBQ Holdings had 4 brands with 143 overall locations in 30 states and 3 countries, including 47 company-owned and 96 franchise-operated restaurants.