Grant Pinkerton: Building a BBQ Empire, Michelin Star, and the Business Behind Pinkerton's Barbecue

What does it take to build one of the most recognized BBQ restaurants in America with no experience, no formal training, and no money? Grant Pinkerton did exactly that, and in this episode of BBQ Boardroom he breaks down every part of how. Grant is the Owner of Pinkerton's Barbecue, a three-location Texas institution with a Michelin Bib Gourmand, Texas Monthly Top 50 three times, and the first Texas pitmaster to ever walk the stage at Memphis in May in Whole Hog. In 2018 he became the first pitmaster ever named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. This is a business conversation. Grant breaks down the fundamentals most pitmasters never talk about: how a rhetoric degree from UT Austin built one of the most recognized BBQ brands in Texas, why he targeted young families instead of converting loyal regulars, the three-part framework that determines whether any restaurant lives or dies, and why being an outsider was his biggest advantage. If you are a restaurant owner, food entrepreneur, aspiring pitmaster, or anyone building a business in the hospitality space, this episode is for you. What we get into: The three things every restaurant owner must have, and why two out of three will sink you How a rhetoric degree became his most valuable business tool The most underrated item on the menu, and why no one else is doing it What 30+ practice hogs looks like before the world's most prestigious BBQ competition About Grant Pinkerton: Owner of Pinkerton's Barbecue. Forbes 30 Under 30. Michelin Bib Gourmand. Texas Monthly Top 50 three times. First Texas pitmaster to walk the stage at Memphis in May in Whole Hog. Website: http://pinkertonsbarbecue.com Instagram:   / pinkertonsbbq   Grant:   / gpinks   Facebook:   / pinkertonsbarbecue   Follow BBQ World Cup: Instagram:   / bbqworldcup   Facebook:   / bbqworldcup   TikTok:   / bbqworldcup   BBQ United:   / bbqunited   Photo credits to Andrew Fisher.   / andrewfisher7