Sonny's BBQ Restaurant Policy

[m25operator]

After 22 yrs, I hope he owns the building and equipment and just needs to change names.

I like " The restaurant formerly known as Sonny's " same great people and menu.

[Badgersmilk]

This STINKS!  We loved Sonny's.  Great fried Ochre, pulled pork, beef briquet.  Mmmmmm.  Probably won't be eating there anymore knowing this. 

[Big Frank]

I tried to look at this from both sides but I keep coming back to one thought. If you want to own a franchise you have to go by the rules. That goes for all franchises. Most others have uniforms too. If you don't like the rules feel free to give it up like he did.

[Pathfinder]

I tried to look at this from both sides but I keep coming back to one thought. If you want to own a franchise you have to go by the rules. That goes for all franchises. Most others have uniforms too. If you don't like the rules feel free to give it up like he did.

On its face, this is absolutely true.

But in this case, as in so many, what we are witnessing is a dramatic change in a very key concept. That concept is "the rule of law". This is where we all agree to a common set of laws to help structure society and control the baser instincts of some or the populace.

What is happening across the country - from the kongress kommies on down - is that this concept is being changed to "the rule by law". In this scenario, our "betters" force change on us by passing laws or rules that subvert classic American values (Constitutional law), demonize or diminish historically significant cultural artifacts (patriotism,  belief in Country, Duty, Honor), and make exercising your rights at the least "improper" and at worst illegal (Christmas displays on public grounds).

Violate these new "laws" and rules and you will get sued. Partly a problem with activist judges who are willing to make laws from the bench, combined with the trial lawyers, and in uber-lib organizations with agendas, and mix with apathy on the part of the American people.

There have been studies about the law-abiding nature of the American people, and our enemies are using it against us. Is Sonny's part of this? Probably not, just mindless do-gooders going along with the flow and making rules to avoid getting sued.

I still won't eat there, and we don't even have one up here.

BTW, Sonny's changed the rules mid-stream, especially with the alcohol part.

[twyacht]

BM, Great fried Ochre


Did you mean Okra?  If Sonny's has some exotic fare I'm sorry....

They used to have a Po' Folks franchise, kinda like country family style, no alcohol, but it seems profit from a stocked bar outweighs a "family" dining establishment.

[Sponsor]

[alfsauve]

humble local business man named S. Truett Cathy owns a chain of fast food chicken places that are very profitable.  Not only don't they sell alcohol, but they aren't open on Sundays!  So neither are prerequisites to profitability.   Both are just his choice in how he wants to run his business.

It would seem that a national chain would understand that what flies in Buena Vista doesn't necessarily play in Peoria, or Tifton.  They would allow for some minor differences based on regional preferences.  As long as the franchise was profitable and wasn't creating a bad image for the brand......

So I think parting ways is the best thing here.  The Tifton manager has gotten years of experience as a franchisee and can probably swing it as an independent now.

[tombogan03884]

 Think you need to sell booze to make a profit ? Dave Thomas and Ray Kroc say you just suck at running a business..

[Texas_Bryan]

I think this fella did the right thing, no amount of money or 'social capital' is worth you integrity.  The man don't want to serve the booze, then he won't compromise his soul for a sign on a building.  Personally I don't care one way or the other on the matter, but I know I probably won't be visiting a Sonny's in the future.

One thing I do know, in the Austin area, quite a few 'chain' joints are tearing down trite franchise images, and remake there business in their, and the communities, image.  I know I don't go to a business because of its 'social capital' but because of the folks that run, and work, in it.  This gentleman probably just bought a ton of points with his customer base.

[Badgersmilk]

BM, Great fried Ochre


Did you mean Okra?  If Sonny's has some exotic fare I'm sorry....

They used to have a Po' Folks franchise, kinda like country family style, no alcohol, but it seems profit from a stocked bar outweighs a "family" dining establishment.

That's the stuff!    Glad they don't make me spell it ta eat it.

I'm a teeny bit glad they'll be serving beer for the fact that I like it.  Especially with good BBQ!  But disapointed they're forcing this down owners throats!  Also diasapointed because up until now most of their staff in all the different locations I've visited were teenagers that actually had the maturity and responsibility to go out and get a good job.  They'll all have to be let go now.

[bbbean]

I tried to look at this from both sides but I keep coming back to one thought. If you want to own a franchise you have to go by the rules. That goes for all franchises. Most others have uniforms too. If you don't like the rules feel free to give it up like he did.

I agree completely. If I wanted to run a kosher deli, I wouldn't buy a McDonald's franchise. If you wanted to sell Jeeps, you wouldn't buy a Ford dealership.

Chain restaurants have an interest in maintaining a uniform appearance, ambiance, and menu in their restaurants. That's how customers can walk into a Wendy's in any city in the country and know what they'll get.

Personally, I'd rather patronize a local restaurant than a chain, and I certainly support anyone who opts to run his own business as he sees fit. But I also recognize that the thing that makes a franchise worthwhile is the fact that every restaurant in a chain has the same characteristics.

Consider - what would your reaction be in you walked into a Bass Pro Shop or Gander Mountain and discovered that since the franchisee was a vegetarian, he'd eliminated hunting and fishing gear from the store's inventory?