Three men took my idea and opened a BBQ establishment in Kaiserslautern, Germany as a military concessionaire to the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES). They lost their jobs as airplane mechanic contractors and dumped their savings into a BBQ trailer. I guess I was too slow. However, they are cutting corners. They have a 20 foot trailer with a wood smoker at the end. They have no smoke taste to their food (ribs, chicken and brisket) or coming out the chimney. I talked to the owners and I told them my wife and I are interested in doing the same thing. They wanted me to purchase a franchise, but I see a very limited menu and I want real BBQ with real smoked food. I told them when I retire next year I would be interested in joining forces with them and expanding the menu and adding an establishment in a food court setting vs purchasing a franchise. I know we can do a better job. They are also on the high side price wise. A pulled pork sandwich runs about $4.00 (a Burger King Whopper runs about $2.60). They have to compete with a pizza place, Burger King, and Taco Bell and they have no "value meal" or kid's meal to offer. I also know they need to put some hickory on the fire so the smoke does the advertising for them. I'm not sure they have a solid business plan but my wife and I think we can turn things around. We have been studying the military environment for years now and we know they need some help. I'll keep you posted if I join forces with them next year.
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