The announcement comes as the company kicks
off National BBQ Month + Founder's Month this May
ORLANDO,
Fla., May 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sonny's
BBQ, the industry-leading BBQ restaurant rooted in quality food and
spreading kindness, announced today that former pro football player
Shannon Snell will be joining the
Sonny's Franchise Company team as Head Pitmaster and Brand
Ambassador. Shannon has been a part of the Sonny's BBQ family for
over 15 years and currently serves as a brand ambassador on the
iServ, LLC team (a franchisee of Sonny's BBQ).
"Shannon has been an incredible asset to our team and we could
not be more excited to have him at the helm of our
visionary Pitmaster program. We knew the role of Head
Pitmaster would take big shoes to fill, and as we worked together
to find new leadership opportunities for Shannon, it became clear
that he was the right person for the job," said Jamie Yarmuth, Sonny's BBQ CEO. "He has always
embodied our company's ethos and the spirit of BBQ—bringing people
together with Southern hospitality. Shannon is a natural fit for
our company during this time of growth and is a pivotal part of our
vision for Sonny's BBQ as an industry leader.
Shannon's history with the brand began in 2008, when he joined
Sonny's BBQ as a manager at a Sonny's BBQ location in Gainesville after transitioning out of his pro
football career with the Dallas Cowboys. After working his way up
to general manager at Sonny's BBQ, he transitioned into a new role
as a brand ambassador on the iServ, LLC team and has been serving
up Southern hospitality as a Pitmaster, coach, community leader and
BBQ competitor ever since.
Kyle Dixon, Executive Vice
President of iServ, LLC, shared, "The iServ team is proud to have
supported Shannon's passion and commitment for the spirit of BBQ.
He's been a pillar of Sonny's BBQ culinary expertise and we're
equally as excited to help elevate the Sonny's BBQ brand through
this new role. This opens the smoker doors for our new and
experienced Pitmasters to keep pushing their craft and expertise
under the Sonny's BBQ banner."
As a former Florida Gators Offensive Guard and 1st Team All
American, Shannon embodies teamwork. He's brought his leadership
skills and love of BBQ to the entire Sonny's BBQ family over the
years, training and mentoring up and coming Pitmasters and serving
the Gainesville, FL community he
calls home. Shannon also competes statewide in Florida on iServ's Sonny's BBQ-sponsored BBQ
competition team Black Jack Oak, showcasing his expertise and what
sets the Sonny's way apart from the rest.
"I'm incredibly proud to be coming home to the Sonny's BBQ team.
My love for this brand started as a child, enjoying slow-smoked BBQ
with my family every week," said Shannon Snell. "I met founder
Floyd "Sonny" Tillman while I was a Florida Gator and I realized
that I could serve people as a part of my career—and I have for
over 15 years now. It's an honor to continue to serve my community
with good BBQ and Southern hospitality on an even bigger
scale."
This announcement coincides with Founder's Month for Sonny's
BBQ, celebrating the legacy of founder Floyd "Sonny" Tillman
and the company's 56-year history. Guests can celebrate at their
local Sonny's BBQ all month long with $6 Pork Big Deals and $10 Pork & Rib Combos every Wednesday in May.
More details can be found at
sonnysbbq.com/specials/2024-founders-month-deals/.
For more information about Sonny's BBQ, visit SonnysBBQ.com
or follow along on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok and YouTube.
Franchise opportunities can be found at
https://franchise.sonnysbbq.com/.
Media assets can be found HERE.
About Sonny's BBQ
With nearly 100 locations spanning the southeast, Sonny's BBQ®
is one of the largest barbecue restaurant brands in the country.
Its signature pulled pork, sweet tea, and unique appetizers have
afforded the restaurant the title of "Best Barbecue Chain in
America" by The Daily Meal. Floyd "Sonny" Tillman and his wife,
Lucille, founded Sonny's BBQ in 1968 in Gainesville, Fla. in hopes of creating a local
BBQ joint for their community to enjoy. 55 years later, Sonny's BBQ
continues to do just that under the direction of CEO Jamie Yarmuth and local pitmasters spreading the
spirit of BBQ in each of their communities through the Q the
Kindness and Random Acts of BBQ initiatives. The brand gives back
more than $1.2 million annually
across the eight states it serves, and reaches tens of thousands of
community members with its generosity. Sonny's BBQ is a leader in
the hospitality industry with its commitment to creating unique
consumer experiences, ability and willingness to utilize
cutting-edge technology, and network of successful franchisee
relationships. For information and to find the Sonny's BBQ location
closest to you, please visit www.SonnysBBQ.com.
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SOURCE Sonny's BBQ