The Moore family has been in the Bar-B-Q business for a long time. Precursors to the brand we all love today began as ‘Smithfield Bar-B-Q’ in Smithfield NC in the mid 1960’s, Opened by Junius and Maggie Moore. Another location was opened in Clayton NC in the late 70’s. It was a more traditional restaurant establishment emphasizing dine in and wait staff.
A Brief History
Gregory Moore, their son, joined the business and built a location in Salter Path, NC in 1979. Over the next couple of years Gregory would develop the systems and menu we all know about today.
All these plans came to fruition in Jacksonville, NC with the opening of the Gum Branch Rd location in 1983. Controversial at the time, Gregory designed a new prototype building, refined the menu, added a functional modern drive thru, and instituted a ‘order at the counter’ system while retaining overall dining room service. A conscious decision was made to dress up this regional delicacy and the stores that served it, to present a more professional and refined atmosphere that would be more inviting to the masses. Most importantly this system and building prototype was the first step in achieving scalability. This was the first Smithfield’s Chicken n Bar-B-Q®. Growth took off, with new restaurants built all over eastern NC. Smithfields began selling franchises in 1986. Expansion to Raleigh area began in 1987 with construction of Zebulon and Dunn stores. Around this time the Smithfield Bar-B-Q stores in Smithfield and Clayton were converted to the Smithfields Chicken ‘n Bar B Q system.
Classic Roots, Modern Growth
Since then, the business has evolved into a steadily growing chain that aims to have a polished, classy feel. In 2008, the building prototype of Smithfield’s Chicken n’ Barbeque was redesigned. The new aesthetic takes the brand to the next level. The company is focused on evolving its older stores to match the modern, yet classic look of the new ones. In the last ten years they have torn down and rebuilt many old locations with the new prototype. Our legacy New Bern store are currently in process of being re-built this year. Customers have approved and shown a strong increase in business as a result.
After years of watching the growth happening out at Flowers plantation, it was decided that Smithfield’s would commit to a new store there. Our store opened there in 2022 and we are proud to serve the community there. It is our fourth location in Johnston County.
