A Memphis BBQ legend plans to pour some sauce over Texas with an expansion into the Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Corky’s BBQ announced Tuesday an expansion and franchise agreement for multiple locations in greater metropolitan Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth area. Franchisees and operators, Andria Cain and Bruce Gingrich of Sque-aling Pigs LLC plan to open up to three locations in the Houston area this year with the first location to open by September 2018. Squealing Pigs, LLC has the rights to open up to 17 locations in the Houston and Dallas markets to meet business demands.
“Texans love barbecue, and we are excited to introduce them to the world-famous Memphis-style of Corky’s BBQ with fall-off-the-bone BBQ pork ribs, succulent BBQ pulled pork, delicious BBQ chicken, bold beef brisket and even more southern favorites like fried catfish, BBQ nachos, and fried pickles,” said Andria Cain, Corky’s franchisee, and partner of Squealing Pigs, LLC. “Pairing Corky’s fantastic food with the authentic Memphis dining experience and regular live entertainment, plus a few Texas embellishments we have up our sleeve, will be a home run for our locations and our fellow Texans. We can’t wait to show Houston and Dallas a good time with Corky’s,”
Corky’s has been a Memphis BBQ institution since it was opened by Don Pelts nearly 35 years ago. Still family-owned and operated by the Pelts and Woodman families, Corky’s has grown from one small restaurant in East Memphis to four full-service restaurants in the Memphis area, two outlets inside Memphis Kroger locations, four franchise locations outside of Memphis — two in Little Rock, Arkansas, one in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and one in Brentwood, Tennessee; plus a large online and shipping and QVC presence.
“We are so excited that Andria and Bruce will be joining the Corky’s family to bring good Memphis-style BBQ and the Memphis experience through Corky’s BBQ to the Houston and Dallas, Texas, areas. Everything is bigger in Texas and we look forward to supporting and watching the Texas operations flourish! We know the Houston and Dallas markets are going to go hog-wild for Corky’s BBQ,” said Barry Pelts, co-owner of Corky’s BBQ.
Cain has operated Panera and Applebee’s franchises over her 30-year career, while Gingrich started and grew Lifecheck Pharmacies into the largest single owner pharmacy operation in the country, as well as owning a number of successful pubs.
“As a business partner and franchisee, it is so important to believe in and trust your business partners. We have come to know and respect the families involved in Corky’s and have a great amount of trust and respect for them, the Corky’s business, and, of course, the Corky’s product,” said Bruce Gingrich, Corky’s franchisee, and partner of Squealing Pigs LLC. “As Andria said, we look forward to delivering great Memphis-style BBQ and service to our friends and neighbors in the Houston and Dallas markets.”
Corky’s isn’t the only Memphis connection for Cain. Her son has been treated at St. Jude for the last 16 years, and the family is a big supporter of St. Jude, having recently hosted a fundraiser in Texas that raised $222,000 for the Memphis-based hospital.
“Memphis is like a second home to us, and our family owes so much to St. Jude that we try to help out in any way we can. St. Jude means the world to me, and I just thank them every day for everything they have done for our family,” said Cain.
www.corkysbbq.com