Sonny's BBQ is a barbecue restaurant chain founded by Floyd "Sonny" Tillman in Gainesville, Florida, in 1968. Bob Yarmuth purchased the company in 1991 and continues as the company's owner and CEO today. As of 2016, Sonny's BBQ has 113 restaurants across eight Southeastern states and is headquartered in Maitland, Florida. The restaurant specializes in Southern-style BBQ.
History
Sonny's Real Pit-Bar-B-Q was founded on April 17, 1968, by Floyd "Sonny" Tillman and his wife Lucille, starting with a single location on Waldo Road in Gainesville, Florida.[2] The company began franchising nine years later in 1977 with a menu consisting of pork, beef, ribs, chicken, beans and other sides.[3][4] In 1988, Sonny's BBQ had grown to 77 restaurants across six states, and Tillman sold the company to outside investors.[5] In 1991, Bob Yarmuth purchased the company.[6]