Billy Sims Barbecue
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 2004 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States |
| Founder | Billy Sims, Jeff Jackson |
| Headquarters | Tulsa , United States |
Area served | Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Texas, Iowa, Colorado, Michigan, Wisconsin |
Key people | Billy Sims (co-founder), Jeff Jackson (co-founder) |
| Products | Barbecue food (ribs, brisket, pork, chicken, turkey, bologna), sides (potato salad, barbecue beans, corn-on-the-cob) |
Billy Sims BBQ is a U.S.-based restaurant chain established in 2004 by ex-professional football athlete Billy Sims alongside his business associate Jeff Jackson. The inaugural restaurant debuted in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Presently, the brand runs 54 outlets spanning nine states, specializing in fast casual dining with a focus on barbecue fare.
History
Billy Sims, who earned the Heisman Trophy in 1978 and played as a running back for the Detroit Lions, collaborated with Jeff Jackson, who brought expertise in sports marketing, to create the enterprise. The first Billy Sims BBQ was launched at The Farm shopping center in Tulsa. The chain grew to six locations before initiating franchising opportunities in 2008.
By 2012, the company had expanded to 20 sites within Oklahoma, two in Missouri near Jackson’s hometown, and one location in Michigan. The brand experienced swift expansion, reaching 45 franchised restaurants across seven states by 2014. That year, Billy Sims BBQ gained recognition on USA Today’s Top Restaurants List, highlighting its growing influence in the competitive barbecue sector.
Operations
At Billy Sims BBQ venues, nine types of meat are smoked daily on premises using pecan wood, including options such as ribs, brisket, pork, chicken, turkey, and bologna. Customers can enjoy classic side dishes like potato salad, barbecue beans, and corn-on-the-cob.
Several locations capitalize on Sims’ connections to the Oklahoma Sooners and Detroit Lions by featuring football-inspired decor and offering menu items that resonate with local teams and communities.
The company currently manages 45 franchise establishments across Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Texas, Iowa, Colorado, and Michigan. The latest franchise opened in West Bend, Wisconsin during Fall 2019, marking an expansion of the brand’s footprint in the Midwest.