Woody’s Bar-B-Q® Revs up to Roll into Motor City

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jan. 20, 2014 - PRLog -- As a respected Michigan entrepreneur and owner of the Macomb Music Theater, Lucky’s Pub and Grill, and Ultimate Sports Bar, Wally Mona has made a wild success out of providing his patrons with memorable experiences. On January 13, 2014, Mona introduces an entirely new and unique memorable experience to residents of the Detroit suburbs with the opening of Michigan’s first Woody’s Bar-B-Q®. Located at 13100 Hall Road in Sterling Heights, the family-friendly restaurant will showcase the same kitschy décor, service with a smile, authentic Southern barbecue and comfort food sides that has made the Florida-based national franchise a household name in the Sunshine State and beyond over the course of the last 33 years. As the newest addition to one of the fastest growing barbecue franchise chains in North America, Mona sees a great deal of promise in bringing Woody’s Bar-B-Q to the Midwest – which serves as the driving force behind his appointment as Woody’s Master Franchisor for the State of Michigan.

“Of course, what first drew me to Woody’s was the incredible flavor of the food,” explains Mona. “Woody’s slow-smoked meats and signature sauces are unlike anything I’ve ever tasted here in Michigan. Add to that the friendly service, comfortable atmosphere and affordable prices – and I believe we’ve got a winning combination.”

Mona and his business partner have plans to open additional Woody’s Bar-B-Q locations in downtown Detroit, Wixom and Southfield, Michigan within the next 6 months.  The team is also in discussions with potential franchisees to expand both Woody’s Bar-B-Q Express and Woody’s traditional sit-down concepts throughout the state of Michigan.

Following its January 13th opening, the new Woody’s Bar-B-Q of Sterling Heights will be open Sunday - Thursday from 11 a.m. to midnight, and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. for full-service dining, take-out orders with curbside delivery, and catering. To place take-out and catering orders, guests may call the restaurant at 586.991.6348. The menu is comprised of Woody’s Signature Slow Smoked Baby Back Ribs, Carolina Pulled Pork, Texas Beef Brisket, Grilled Prime Ribs, Burgers, Wings, Salads, Sides, Banana Pudding and more.

“We take great pride in hand-picking our franchisees based on a number of key criteria,” explains Woody Mills, co-founder of Woody’s Bar-B-Q. “We believe that Wally is the ideal candidate to carry our concept into the Midwest. He not only has a deep understanding of what it takes to run a thriving business, but also truly appreciates the philosophy at the heart of the Woody’s concept. We aren’t merely serving great food to our guests; we are creating a place where friends and families can gather together. No matter what state of the nation, Woody’s Bar-B-Q works because of our involvement in the community that surrounds each of our restaurants.”

Mona and Woody’s Bar-B-Q of Sterling Heights co-owner Marc Beginin share in this belief and are committed to giving back to the community where they both live and work. For starters, Woody’s Bar-B-Q of Sterling Heights plans to partner with a local school each week. Students, their families and friends will be encouraged to dine at the restaurant on a select evening, and Woody’s will donate 10% of the proceeds from the night back to the participating school.

To celebrate the opening of their restaurant, Mona and Beginin plan to host a Grand Opening weekend on January 24-26, 2014 – complete with ribbon-cutting ceremony, give-aways, prizes, live music, special guests, and great food. To sneak a peek at the menu and learn more about Woody’s history, future patrons of Woody’s Bar-B-Q of Sterling Heights are encouraged to visit www.woodys.com.

Beyond its expansion into Michigan, Woody’s Bar-B-Q is currently eyeing locations in Colorado, Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida’s West Coast and Canada. Prospective franchisees are encouraged to visit www.woodys.com/franchise/  for more information about opening a Woody’s Bar-B-Q in their own hometown.

About Woody’s Bar-B-Q®:After opening their first Woody’s Bar-B-Q in 1980, partners Woody Mills and Yolanda Mills-Mawman have spent the past three decades setting the “bar” higher for great Southern Bar-B-Q. From the humble beginnings of just one location in Jacksonville, Florida, a shared passion for Bar-B-Q,  and a dog-eared collection of recipes, Mills and Mawman have grown the Woody’s Bar-B-Q brand to locations reaching from the Deep South where Bar-B-Q is king to the Northeast and Western fronts. Perhaps best known for their legendary melt-in-your-mouth slow-smoked Signature Baby Back Ribs, Woody’s has also built quite a following among patrons with their secret recipe Bar-B-Q sauces and meats, as well as their freshly prepared side dishes. For more information and a list of locations, visit http://www.woodys.com.

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*  For more information regarding Woody’s Bar-B-Q restaurant openings in Michigan, or for interviews with Wally Mona, please contact Anita Lane of Sensei Communications at 313.447.9083 or via email at AnitaSLane@SenseiCommunications.com.