Red Hot & Blue (restaurant)
| Company type | Franchise |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Founder | Lee Atwater, Don Sundquist, Bob Friedman, Joel Wood, Wendell Moore |
| Headquarters | Winston-Salem , United States |
Area served | Virginia, Maryland, Texas, North Carolina |
| Products | Memphis-style barbecue dishes (Hickory-smoked pulled pork, St. Louis-style dry rubbed ribs, Texas beef brisket, smoked chicken wings, potato salad) |
| Owner | AJB Capital (since 2018) |
Red Hot & Blue is a franchise specializing in Memphis-style barbecue dining, established in 1989 by political strategist Lee Atwater, former Tennessee Governor Don Sundquist, along with partners Bob Friedman, Joel Wood, and Wendell Moore. The inaugural restaurant launched in Arlington, Virginia, in close proximity to Washington, D.C. The brand’s identity—centered on "pigs, pork, and blues"—is reflected in its name and logo, which draw inspiration from DJ Dewey Phillips' 1950s Memphis radio program.
History
Since its inception in 1989, Red Hot & Blue has grown to encompass five outlets located throughout Virginia, Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina. The menu features Hickory-smoked pulled pork, St. Louis-style dry rubbed ribs, Texas beef brisket, smoked chicken wings, and a distinctive potato salad. Customers can enjoy dine-in service, fast casual options, catering, take-out, and delivery.
In 2018, ownership of Red Hot & Blue transferred to AJB Capital through an affiliated fund, which pledged substantial reinvestment and expansion efforts. The company also holds a presence at George Mason University basketball events hosted at the Patriot Center.
Ernest "Sonny" McKnight, the founding executive chef and pitmaster responsible for shaping the brand’s culinary style, died from lung cancer on January 17, 2021.