Big Whiskey's adds new franchise, bottles own BBQ sauce

Springfield-based Big Whiskey's American Restaurant & Bar will expand into Bentonville, Arkansas with a new franchise store, the company announced Monday.

"If everything goes right, we’re looking at (opening) September of this year," said Paul Sundy, chief operating officer.

The Bentonville franchisee is Shane Miller, a business owner with a background in real estate.

Big Whiskey's opened in 2006 with a location at 311 Park Central East. In the 10 years since, the company has opened four additional locations, in south Springfield, east Springfield, Ozark — and, in May 2015, Branson.

The Bentonville franchise store would be the fifth. The menu and beverages will be largely the same. "The look will emulate the Branson store a lot," Sundy said.

Sundy said the company is eyeing the Kansas City market for its next round of expansion, hoping to seed the market with corporate-owned stores, then franchises. The goal is to open three new Big Whiskey's pubs in Kansas City over the next two years.

Meanwhile, Big Whiskey’s All-Purpose BBQ Sauce — a honey-whiskey flavor condiment the restaurant uses for its wings, burgers and pork chops — went on sale for $3.99 per bottle at the Springfield Hy-Vee store Feb. 6.

"It's in its infancy stage," Sundy said. Big Whiskey's is looking to distribute All-Purpose BBQ to other stores.

When asked Monday if it sold well over Super Bowl Sunday, Sundy said he didn't know yet. "But our guy’s back in (Hy-Vee) today to restock."

"That's a good sign."

By Gregory J. HolmanGregory J. Holman, GHOLMAN@NEWS-LEADER.COM

Courtesy of: Springfield News-Leader