Sonny’s Franchisee and Pitmaster Brad Fink is going on 30 years with Sonny’s BBQ, currently operating stores in Warner Robins, Perry and Macon, Georgia. We sat down with him to learn what it means to own a Sonny’s in Middle Georgia.
What does being a Sonny’s Pitmaster mean to you?
“It’s learning and sharing not only with our team but with our guests. We’ve done a bunch of meat-cutting classes at the University of Florida with the CAB Group. It’s just phenomenal education, and what’s special to me is it’s that we get to live spreading the spirit of barbecue every day.”
Why is Sonny’s the best local BBQ in Middle Georgia?
“I think the authenticity about it. We have developed a Pit to Plate mentality. We live and learn every day, and we continue to hone the craft.”
What’s your favorite meat to smoke?
“I love our Sonny’s brisket. My kids, two sons and a daughter, love the brisket as well. So that’s kind of kept me on my game and I’ve gotten them engaged in cooking at home.”
Tell us about your connection to the Middle Georgia community with Sonny’s.
“We’ve been a part of Sonny’s now almost 30 years. We moved from Atlanta down to middle Georgia and there’s so much that’s grown. When we moved down, we were newly married, my wife Gina and I, and we’ve raised three kids here. We’ve grown a Sonny’s family as well.”
Tell us more about your Sonny’s family. Why do you think it’s valuable to build those relationships with your team?
“It’s important that we bring our A-game every day inside the four walls. That’s what we’re in business to do. We’re here to serve great product, but honestly, it goes beyond that for us. It’s a point of where I feel a great sense of responsibility to be able to provide for families that put their trust in us to provide a consistent paycheck, a good place to work and a safe place to work.”
How do you get out into your community? What’s one of your favorite memories from doing so?
“I think one of the best experiences through Sonny’s that we’ve had has been with the airshows at Robins Air Force Base. It’s just been one of those things where I wasn’t in the military, but from a patriotic standpoint, it links with our values at Sonny’s BBQ. It’s just a spirit and a commitment to barbecue, close to what the military does each and every day.”
What does it mean to continually host events with the Air Force Base?
“Here’s the thing. We’ve truly been blessed as a family, and it’s just the right thing to do. So from a community standpoint, when the volunteers are spending thousands of hours restoring the B-12 out at the Air Museum, I mean, they’re preserving the heritage of the Air Force. And to just to be a small part of that has been really special too.”
How do these elements, meaning your expertise, team and community, come together at Sonny’s every day?
“We put our heart and soul into it. Barbecue is 50% art, 50% science, and 50% love. That doesn’t equal one. But that’s really how it is. And we pack that into every day, and we roll it out not only our team members, but for our community as well.
Join the Sonny’s Family
From the art of smoke to our outreach programs, Sonny’s is a legacy brand with a focus on connecting with our communities and servin’ up delicious barbecue slathered in Southern hospitality. Lookin’ to get started on this sweet journey with us? Get a look behind the smoker and find out what those next steps could be on our franchise site.
