About
History
Barry Merrell was born in Atlanta, grew up there and graduated from Georgia Tech. While at Tech, he had a part-time job as a dishwasher and host. When he graduated, he decided to try the restaurant business as a career. After 18 years of working for popular restaurant chains in Atlanta and Columbus, Georgia, Barry and his wife, Louanne, decided to try their own concept. Eat, Drink & B. Merrell's.
B.Merrell’s has several “signature” elements that define the concept:
Rotisserie chicken is the heart of the menu. A homemade marinade blends with slow roasting to produce a mouthwatering entrée that is served as an individual meal or a whole chicken that will feed the entire family. The Rotisserie Chicken can also be found in other dishes such as Rotisserie Chicken Salad, Spicy Chicken Potato Skins, Open-faced Chicken Sandwiches, Rotisserie Chicken Spring Rolls.
Chicken Wings comprise the #1 selling item on the menu. We developed three award-winning wing sauces that have driven sales of our wings to well over 4000 lbs. per week.
The Beer Tour is a real hit. Members drink 130 of our 160 brands of beers and get inducted into the Hall of Foam.
Our menu lends itself well to take-out. 20% of our business is take-out.
Timeline
April 30, 1991
Opened our first B.Merrell’s location on Manchester Expressway in Columbus, GA
June 2, 1992
Opened our second B.Merrell’s location in Tallahassee, FL
October 3, 2000
Opened our third B.Merrell’s location on Veterans Parkway in Columbus, GA
2001
Barry was selected “Small Business Giant of the Year” by the Columbus, GA Chamber of Commerce. The decision is based not only on the success of the business, but also on the contributions made to the community by the company’s owners and employees, job creation, economic value, and contributions to the overall quality of life.
2006
Sold 1st location on Manchester Expressway in Columbus, GA
2007
Sold B.Merrell’s in Tallahassee, FL
Present
We now operate B.Merrell’s, Veterans Parkway, Columbus, GA. Operate a thriving catering business. Are beginning to sell our wing sauces on the retail market.