Red Hot & Blue (restaurant)

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This article is about the barbecue restaurant. For other uses, see Red, Hot and Blue (disambiguation).
Red Hot and Blue
TypeRestaurant
IndustryCasual Dining
GenreSmoked BBQ
Founded1989; 32 years ago (1989)
Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
FoundersLee Atwater
Don Sundquist
Bob Friedman
Joel Wood
Wendell Moore
SuccessorAJB Capital
Headquarters
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
,
U.S.
Number of locations
11
Area served
Washington, D.C. metro area and suburbs: Fairfax, VA; Leesburg, VA; Williamsburg, VA; Annapolis, MD; Laurel, MD

TEXAS: Plano; Irving; North Richland Hills; Ft Worth NORTH CAROLINA: Raleigh

MISSOURI: Joplin
Key people
CEO: Adam Bradley
ProductsHickory-smoked pulled pork, St. Louis-Style "dry" rubbed ribs, Texas beef brisket, smoked chicken wings, famous potato salad
ServicesFull service and fast casual dining, Catering, Take-Out, & Delivery
OwnerAJB Capital affiliate fund
DivisionsDine-In, Catering, Take-Out, Delivery
SubsidiariesFranchise opportunities are available
Websiteredhotandblue.com

Red Hot & Blue is a Memphis style barbecue restaurant franchise founded by political strategist Lee Atwater and former House of Representatives member and Governor of Tennessee Don Sundquist of Memphis, Tennessee, among others.

History[]

Red Hot and Blue was founded in 1989 by Atwater, Sundquist, Bob Friedman, Joel Wood, and Wendell Moore, with its first location in Arlington, Virginia, near Washington, D.C.. Friedman described the concept of the restaurant as "pigs, pork, and blues" as reflected in the company's logo. The name is taken from the title of DJ Dewey Phillips' radio show which aired on WHBQ-AM in Memphis in the 1950s.[1]

Red Hot and Blue is served at George Mason University basketball games at the Patriot Center.

In 2018, AJB Capital acquired Red Hot & Blue through an affiliate fund, announcing plans for substantial reinvestment in the system.[2][non-primary source needed]

On January 17, 2021, the original executive chef and pitmaster, Ernest "Sonny" McKnight, died due to lung cancer. McKnight was Red Hot & Blue's first employee.[3][4]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Hayes, Jack. "Red Hot & Blue readies BBQ blitz". Nation's Restaurant News. FindArticles.com. 25 February 1991.
  2. ^ "AJB Capital Acquires Red Hot & Blue". PRWeb (Press release). 14 August 2018. Retrieved 2019-11-25.
  3. ^ Snider, Rick (2021-01-28). "Sonny McKnight, the Affable Pitmaster That Led Red Hot & Blue to National Success, Dies at 74". Eater DC. Retrieved 2021-01-30.
  4. ^ Fraley, Jason (2021-01-21). "Red Hot & Blue pitmaster Sonny McKnight of Baltimore dies at 74". WTOP. Retrieved 2021-01-30.


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