BBQ Boyz LLC starts construction on first of 26 planned locations in Sunshine State

The VooDoo BBQ & Grill nation has planted its flag in Florida!

Our jerk chicken platter, one of the many Caribbean-inspired dishes we think will go over big in south Florida.

Jack Flechner and his BBQ Boyz group of investors have started construction on our first Sunshine State location, in Pembroke Pines, a suburb roughly midway between Miami and Fort Lauderdale. The news has been creating some serious buzz in south Florida, like this post from the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s consumer blog:

VooDoo BBQ & Grill opening in Pembroke Pines, Delray, Kendall

By Doreen Christensen

September 23, 2012 07:47 AM

Get ready for a little gumbo ya-ya, South Florida.

Big Easy-inspired VooDoo BBQ & Grill is set to open the first of 26 Florida restaurants in Pembroke Pines in mid-November. Locations in Delray Beach and Kendall soon will follow.

The chain serves up spicy Cajun-Creole specialties of chicken, pork, gumbo, PoBoy sandwiches, salads and burgers.

Fort Lauderdale-based BBQ Boyz, LLC., purchased the rights to fund and operate the VooDoo locations south of the Panhandle.

The 2,220-square foot restaurant will open at 151 N. Hiatus Road.

The 3,000-square-foot Delray Beach location, opening in February, will be at 640 Atlantic Ave.

The Kendall restaurant will be at 8326 Mills Drive and opens in March.

“When I first discovered the concept and tried the food, I was instantly sold,” said BBQ Boyz Managing Partner Jack Flechner, former owner of several Five Guys franchises. “When people think of New Orleans, they think of Mardi Gras, parties and fun. That’s the same vibe you’ll find in VooDoo, too. I think South Florida will eat it up!”

The South Florida Business Journal chimed in with their own story:

Construction begins on VooDoo BBQ & Grill in Pembroke Pines

by Shaun Bevan, Reporter

Date: Friday, September 21, 2012, 3:10pm EDT

Construction is underway on a 2,200-square foot VooDoo BBQ & Grill, which blends Caribbean, Cajun and Creole spices into New Orleans-style barbecue.

The franchise is slated to open its first South Florida location at Pembroke Square Shopping Plaza, 151 N. Hiatus Road in Pembroke Pines, in mid-November, according to a news release. The restaurant will seat 60 people inside and 30 outside.

Jack Flechner is the principal in a group of investors that plans to develop 26 VooDoo BBQ & Grill locations in Florida. (Mark Freerks, South Florida Business Journal)

New Orleans-based Voodoo BBQ & Grill has locations opening or under development in more than 56 cities in five states. It opened its first restaurant on Mardi Gras Day in 2002 in New Orleans.

Last year, Fort Lauderdale-based restaurant development company BBQ Boyz LLC purchased rights to fund, develop and operate up to 26 VooDoo locations in Florida, south of the Panhandle, according to the news release.

BBQ Boyz Managing Partner Jack Flechner has owned and sold several successful Five Guys franchises in South Florida, before learning about the VooDoo brand.

“When I first discovered the concept and tried the food, I was instantly sold,” he said. “It’s different than other barbecue because it’s infused with the spice, culture and magic of New Orleans.”

VooDoo BBQ & Grill’s menu includes brisket, chicken, pork, gumbo, PoBoy sandwiches, salads and burgers. Diners can choose from three signature barbecue sauces, as well as side dishes including greens, rattlesnake beans, corn pudding, Zapp’s potato chips and sweet potato souffle.

BBQ Boyz has also signed leases at 640 Atlantic Ave., in Delray Beach, and at the Palms Shops, 8326 Mills Drive in Kendall. The Delray Beach location is expected to open in February 2013, while the Kendall location will open in March 2013.

It won’t be long now, and we know Floridians will take to the fun and flavor of VooDoo as the people of Louisiana, South Carolina and Texas already have. This is a special opening for us — the 26-license agreement we’ve signed with Jack and his guys represents the biggest deal we’ve made to date.

We’re on our way. Want to come along for the ride? Fill out our information form and download a free copy of our franchise report. Then let’s start talking.