946: Jonathan Fox Co-Owner of Fox Bros. BBQ

946: Jonathan Fox Co-Owner of Fox Bros. BBQ

Author: Inspiring interviews with todays most successful restaurateurs 2-days a wee December 8, 2022 Duration: 2:10:33

Unstoppables! Please consider taking this survey about our listener demographics so that we can better determine how to best serve our listeners. Less than 10 simple questions. Here is the link: CLICK HERE

Growing up in Texas, twin brothers Jonathan and Justin Fox were inspired by Texas heat and southern spice. After moving from Fort Worth to Atlanta, Justin and Jonathan were homesick for Texas-style barbecue and after being unable to find the flavors they grew up with, the twin brothers decided to take matters into their own hands. With no professional training, Jonathan and Justin began throwing backyard gatherings for friends and family to test out their barbecue skills. Small gatherings grew into cooking for over 250 people, a barbecue catering operation was born. After a pop-up stint at Smith's Olde Bar in 2005 where Fox Brothers was named "Runner-up Best Barbecue in Atlanta", the brothers decided to open their own restaurant. In 2007, The Brothers along with partner Beau Nolen, opened the Candler Park location on Dekalb Avenue and began welcoming guests with their signature style of smoked brisket, pulled pork, wings, and a mix of original side dishes seven days a week.

Show notes…

Calls to ACTION!!!

Favor success quote/mantra:

  • "If you ain't learning, you ain't living."

In this episode with Jonathan Fox we will discuss:

  • Advice for first time BBQers
  • Finding your unique selling point
  • How to stand out today
  • Finding a brick and mortal location
  • Parking problems with a very popular restaurant

Today's sponsor:

Join the 60-day Restaurant Systems Pro FREE TRAINING. This is something that has never been done before. This 60-day event is at no cost to you, but it is not for everyone. Fred Langley, CEO of Restaurant Systems Pro, will lead a group of restaurateurs through the Restaurant Systems Pro software and set up the systems for your restaurant. During the 60 days, Fred will walk you through the Restaurant Systems Pro Process and help you crush the following goals: Recipe Costing Cards; Guidance in your books for accounting; Cash controls; Sales Forecasting(With Accuracy); Checklists; Budgeting for the entire year; Scheduling for profit; More butts in seats and more… Click Here to learn more.

Knowledge bombs

  1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
    • The best service and best food
  2. What is your biggest weakness?
    • Always trying to have the best service and food
  3. What's one thing you ask or look for when interviewing/growing your team?
    • Something about them and who they are and what brings them to us?
  4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
    • Remember to say no
  5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
    • Connect with people and make positive experiences
  6. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your restaurant walls and how has it influenced operations?
  7. What is one thing you feel restaurateurs don't do well enough or often enough?
    • Stay on quality
  8. If you got the news that you'd be leaving this world tomorrow and all memories of you, your work, and your restaurants would be lost with your departure with the exception of 3 pieces of wisdom you could leave behind for the good of humanity, what would they be?
    • If you're not learning, you're not living
    • Be proud of what you do
    • Just because you have it doesn't mean you need to sell it

Contact:

Website: http://www.foxbrosbbq.com

Instagram: @foxbrosbarbq

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining today! Have some feedback you'd like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates.

Huge thanks to Jonathan Fox for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!

Eric Cacciatore sits down with the people who actually run the show in the world of food service. Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore is built on conversations with established restaurateurs and seasoned professionals who have navigated the intense realities of the industry. Twice a week, these interviews dig past the surface, focusing on the tangible details of leadership, team management, and effective marketing that separate a thriving venue from a struggling one. You’ll hear firsthand accounts of what worked, what didn’t, and the often-overlooked decisions that shape a restaurant's path. This podcast serves as a direct line to collective experience, whether you're dreaming of your first opening or steering a multi-location group. The dialogue is practical, centered on the daily grind and long-term strategy needed to build something lasting. For anyone invested in the business of hospitality, these regular episodes compile a vital resource, turning shared insights into actionable knowledge for your own journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 1000

Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore
Podcast Episodes
1266: Randy Hines, CEO and Partner at The Kolache Shoppe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:56:50
Randy Hines joins the Restaurant Unstoppable Network for a live Q+A on May 4th, 2026 at 11AM EST. To join us and engage with all our guests and events, go to restaurantunstoppable.com/live -OR- to just catch today's gues…
1265: Christian Wiens, Founder and CEO of Loman AI [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:46:16
Christian Wiens joins the Restaurant Unstoppable Network for a live Q+A on May 4th, 2026 at 11AM EST. To join us and engage with all our guests and events, go to restaurantunstoppable.com/live -OR- to just catch today's…
1263: Eric Reed, Chief Development Officer at Layne's Chicken Fingers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:56:31
Eric Reed and Natalie Hurley (also of Layne's) join the Restaurant Unstoppable Network for a live Q+A on April 20th, 2026 at 11AM EST. To join us and engage with all our guests and events, go to restaurantunstoppable.com…
1262: Natalie Hurley, VP of Marketing at Layne's Chicken Fingers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:52:29
Natalie Hurley and Eric Reed (also of Layne's) join the Restaurant Unstoppable Network for a live Q+A on April 20th, 2026 at 11AM EST. To join us and engage with all our guests and events, go to restaurantunstoppable.com…
1260: Albert Sanchez, Co-Founder of Beto's Mexican Restaurant [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:57:02
Albert Sanchez and Chris Schultz join the Restaurant Unstoppable Network for a live Q+A on April 6th, 2026 at 11AM EST. To join us and engage with all our guests and events, go to restaurantunstoppable.com/live -OR- to j…
1259: Chris Schultz, CEO of Velvet Taco [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:07:06
Chris Schultz joins the Restaurant Unstoppable Network for a live Q+A on April 6th, 2026 at 11AM EST. To join us and engage with all our guests and events, go to restaurantunstoppable.com/live -OR- to just catch today's…