Popular BBQ restaurant closes almost all locations, no bankruptcy | Official Website of Louis Velazquez, entrepreneur, finance guy and tech innovator

Barbecue has become an American obsession.

We argue about which reason has the best way to cook ribs, brisket, chicken, sausages, and other delicacies. Should it come sauced? Do we prefer it dry with sauce on the side?

It’s a food that has inspired countless television shows and thousands of restaurants. Most Americans agree that decent barbecue can be fine, but truly transcendent barbecue will have us lining up early in the morning so we can order before the most popular places sell out.

The problem is that when a food becomes too popular, it encourages too much competition. Towns that could support one good barbecue restaurant sometimes lose both when a second one opens.

And, the ready availability of really good barbecue has dimmed the prospects for places that offer a mediocre take on the medium.

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Smokey Bones, for example, a national chain, closed nine locations earlier this year and plans to turn about half of its remaining locations into Twin Peaks, a breastaurant concept owned by its parent company.

Customers, it seems, like busty waitresses in low-cut tops selling decent sports bar food more than they like more fully-dressed waitstaff dishing out decent barbecue.

Oversaturation has hurt many restaurant chains.

Image source&colon; Shutterstock

Regional barbecue chain mostly closes

Sometimes restaurants can die because of other things happening in the market. If rivals open and siphon off 5% of the business here, and other 5% there, operations quickly get tight.

Changing operating conditions can even impact brands with deep history in a region. Armadillo Willy’s sells itself as locally owned, Texas-inspired, wood-fired BBQ. It has been operating for a long time across California’s Bay Area.

“It all began in 1983 when four friends, inspired by a road trip to Texas, got together in Cupertino and came up with a plan to open a barbecue restaurant. It was agreed that this restaurant would feature 100% wood-fired barbecue like we had found in legendary joints like Louie Mueller BBQ in Taylor, TX and Black’s BBQ in Lockhart, TX,” the chain shared on its website.

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One location eventually spawned a small chain as Californians were drawn to Texas-style BBQ.

“After more than 40 years we have never given up trying to equal the standards of those great Texas legends. We have heard from many of our guests , including Texans, that we have done a damn good job of that,” the chain added.

Armadillo Willy’s closes most locations

Armadillo Willy’s has closed all of its restaurants except the one the chain’s San Mateo location. The closures were abrupt and unexpected. The chain posted a note about what happened on its Facebook page on June 18.

“We are sad to say that our locations in Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, and Blossom Hill (San Jose) permanently closed last night. After 40+ unforgettable years of serving up BBQ and building a community, it’s time to say goodbye, From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to every manager, cook, pit-master, busser, shift-lead and cashier who brought passion, hustle, and heart to our kitchen and tables every single day. Your dedication made this more than a business—it made it family. Here’s to the memories, the smoke, the sauce, and the soul,” it shared.

The company also tried to welcome its customers to the remaining location.

“To the Willy’s fans in the South Bay, thank you for all of the support you have shown us over the last 4 decades. We may not be in your neighborhood anymore, but we still have one location in San Mateo where you can get your fix. We hope to see you soon,” it added.

Fans were upset at the news and shared some memories on Facebook.

“When I owned the Kid to Kid store a few doors down in Santa Clara, I went to Willie’s many many many times. I loved half price burger days and Parisian burgers. I went there many times to watch the end of a Warriors or football game after work. Good times. Sadly, my store had to close in 2019. You don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone,” wrote Steve Thomas Sanfillippo.

Shaira Jane Ortega shared her own experiences with the chain.

“Thank you Armadillo Willys! Core memories here as it being my first job, memories that will be with me forever. Thank you for being such an absolutely amazing yummy restaurant,” she added.