Texas Joe's beef jerky founder to open BBQ and craft beer restaurants

By John Harrington

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Entrepreneurship

Joe Walters, the man behind Texas Joe's beef jerky, is looking to roll out a chain of barbecue and craft beer restaurants
Joe Walters, the man behind Texas Joe's beef jerky, is looking to roll out a chain of barbecue and craft beer restaurants
Joe Walters, the entrepreneur behind the Texas Joe’s beef jerky brand whose investors include BrewDog co-founder James Watt, has said he hopes to open a chain of barbecue and craft beer restaurants nationwide after securing his first stand-alone site in London’s Farringdon.

Walters told BigHospitality's sister publication M&C Report​ that a pop-up version of the restaurant, which opens at BrewDog’s bar in London’s Shoreditch in September, 'is essentially a test of the business model that will be extended'. 

“We have a potential stand-alone location with a lease secured. We’ll probably open in six months time,” he said. 

He described the concept as a “barbecue and craft beer bar”, branded under the Texas Joe’s name. “It would be along similar sort of lines to BrewDog; if not a franchise model, certainly a model we would roll out across the country.

“Barbecue has a wider appeal then craft beer does. The bar would be secondary to the restaurant. The potential is at some point we could end up in more locations. We would definitely roll it out to key markets first and see how it goes.”

Dragons' Den

Walters appeared on the edition of Dragons’ Den that aired last Sunday looking for a £37,500 investment in exchange for a 16 per cent stake in the business. Investor Peter Jones offered £50,000 for a 24 per cent stake, which Walters accepted, but the deal later fell through. 

Watt had agreed to match-fund an investor on the show, but subsequently agreed to take a stake anyway. Watt was going to invest £50,000 for a 24 per cent stake and Walters said his final stake was 'in the same realm of equity but the investment was different'.

“I had to make arrangements to keep going,” said Walters. “What I did was just build a team and keep plodding ahead and realising that the most valuable commodity would be the [TV] programme itself.”

Walters named Greene King as a pub company that he has been in discussions with about stocking its products, which will be available in Sainsbury’s nationwide from the autumn.

Talking about his experience on the show, Walters said: “The whole thing was inspirational. The success after the airing of it has been quite remarkable and the reaction has been quite unbelievable. When I walk down the street people want to shake my hand and give me the thumbs up, and people have been so nice on social media.

“It’s been remarkable for business. We’ve been in negotiation with a number of high street retailers and distributors.”

This story was first published by M&C Report. To subscribe contact Emily Croft on 01293 846578 or email rzvyl.pebsg@jeoz.pbz

Related news

Show more

Follow us

Hospitality Guides

View more

Generation Next