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Pippin's BBQ: A Confidential Sale to a First-Time Restaurant Owner-Operator

Written by Updated August 26, 2026

The Sunbelt Atlanta Public Relations Team shares company news, transaction announcements, market insights, and updates from our business brokerage professionals. Our team keeps clients, partners, and the business community informed about the latest developments at Sunbelt Atlanta.

Picture of Public Relations Team Public Relations Team Updated on August 26, 2026

Transaction Snapshot

Pippin's BBQ

Sell-Side Advisory | Barbecue & Limited-Service Restaurant | McDonough, Georgia

Client

Pippin's Restaurants, LLC d/b/a Pippin's BBQ

Headquarters

McDonough, Georgia

Dealmaker

Raquel Wilson

Announced

January 2026

Qualified Buyers

8 Months

Launch to Close

Letter of Intent

1986

Founded

Buyer

3ONE Ventures LLC

An individual private investor entering restaurant ownership

The Company

Nearly Four Decades of Barbecue and Community

Pippin's BBQ has served McDonough, Georgia since 1986, when founder Ron Pippin opened the restaurant in a small woodshed off the McDonough Square.

The concept quickly became a local favorite for slow-smoked barbecue and Brunswick stew before relocating in 1988 to its permanent home at 40 Sims Street, where the restaurant still operates today.

Business Highlights

15 Hours

Overnight smoking process

5 Days

Open each week

40 Years

Approaching four decades in business

Today, Pippin's operates as a limited-service, counter-order restaurant offering dine-in, carry-out, family meals, and catering. Its meats are smoked overnight on Southern Pride smokers, while sides including mac and cheese, coleslaw, baked beans, and cornbread are prepared fresh daily.

The business has operated under a semi-absentee ownership model since 2019, supported by a long-tenured staff that includes a lead cashier with more than two decades at the restaurant.

The Seller's Objective

A Planned Relocation Sets the Stage for a New Chapter

Pippin's owner and his wife were gradually moving toward retirement and looking to shed business assets so they could relocate after stepping away from full-time work.

The Process

Protecting a Long-Standing Brand Through a Confidential Sale

Sunbelt Atlanta, with the transaction led by Dealmaker Raquel Wilson, guided ownership through opinion of value, confidential marketing, buyer qualification, due diligence, and closing.

The process reached 40 qualified buyers under strict confidentiality, helping protect the restaurant's employees, guests, and community reputation while the transaction moved forward.

The outreach surfaced a buyer whose offer matched ownership's goals, resulting in one letter of intent and a transaction that closed within eight months of launch.

For the seller, the objective was not simply to generate the greatest number of offers. It was to identify a buyer who could meet the owner's terms while giving the business the best opportunity to continue successfully.

Selecting the Right Partner

Ownership selected the buyer based on the strength and simplicity of the offer and the ability to close quickly, which aligned with the seller's plans to wind down and relocate.

The Buyer's Perspective

The buyer viewed Pippin's as an opportunity to enter restaurant ownership through an established community brand with a loyal customer base, simple operating model, and identifiable paths for future growth.

The Next Chapter

Building on an Established Local Brand

Expand Catering

Increase awareness and utilization of the restaurant's catering capabilities.

Strengthen Digital Presence

Improve digital visibility and delivery options while preserving the core brand.

Celebrate 40 Years

Use event-driven promotions around Pippin's 40th anniversary in 2026.

Market Context

Industry Tailwinds Behind the Deal

The transaction closed at a time when investors were showing strong interest in established, community-anchored restaurant concepts with simple menus, efficient operating models, and identifiable growth opportunities.

16%

Approximate McDonough population growth since 2010

131K+

People within five miles

$98K

Approximate area household income

25K+

Geranium Festival attendees

Pippin's counter-service model, modest footprint, loyal customer base, and established reputation positioned the business well for buyers looking for restaurant concepts that combine operational simplicity with a strong local identity.

Lessons for Sellers

Key Takeaways for Business Owners Considering a Sale

01. Start the transition before you have to.

Planning ahead gave ownership time to run a proper confidential process rather than being forced into a rushed sale.

02. A focused process can still produce the right outcome.

Reaching 40 qualified buyers produced one letter of intent, but that offer aligned with what ownership needed.

03. Certainty of close has real value.

Ownership prioritized a straightforward offer and quick close rather than extending the process in pursuit of different terms.

04. Longevity and simplicity are sellable assets.

A nearly 40-year operating history, simple menu, favorable operating model, and long-tenured staff gave buyers confidence in the transition.

Planning Your Exit?

Thinking About Selling Your Restaurant or Food Service Business?

Pippin's BBQ shows how a long-standing local business can transition successfully when the right buyer, timing, and sale process come together. Sunbelt Atlanta runs confidential sale processes for privately held businesses with no upfront fees.

Get a Business Valuation Talk With a Dealmaker

About Sunbelt Atlanta

Experienced Guidance From Valuation Through Closing

Since 1998, Sunbelt Atlanta has helped business owners across Georgia and the Southeast sell their companies confidentially and on their own terms. With more than 1,250 businesses sold, a no-upfront-fee, success-driven approach, and experience across industries including restaurant and foodservice businesses, Sunbelt Atlanta's team of Dealmakers guides owners through every stage of a sale.