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A new fast-casual barbecue restaurant has opened in Bastrop, adding another dining option as the city continues to attract residents and commercial development.
The opening in Burleson Crossing marks the 22nd location for Smokey Mo’s BBQ, a Texas-based chain entering its most aggressive expansion period since launching 25 years ago. Company officials said they are targeting high-opportunity markets statewide.
“The community is really tight knit, and it’s also growing extremely fast,” said Craig Haley, president of the company. “There’s a lot of homes, a lot of business coming out there — it really fits the Smokey Mo’s blueprint for real estate, neighborhood and community.”
The county has seen rapid growth driven by rising housing demand and its emergence as a developing tech hub. Haley said the new location is positioned to serve both local families and the wave of companies moving into the area.
“You can come in and get one breakfast taco, or you can feed 300 people,” Haley said. “Being near expanding businesses gives us the chance to serve meetings, events and offices, but we’re also there for the graduations, the weddings and the holidays too.”
The chain opened its first restaurant in 2000 with a focus on “neighborhood barbecue,” a concept officials said remains true as Smokey Mo’s modernizes its design and operation strategy.
“That DNA is really what we’re still focused on today,” Haley said. “We’re not one of the large, big building restaurants — it’s high quality barbecue and we are able to come into neighborhoods in small box format.”
The Bastrop location will hold an opening celebration Dec. 5 to introduce itself to the community, featuring discounts, giveaways and a live broadcast. A portion of sales will support the Bastrop High School Band Boosters, a partnership Haley said reflects the company’s commitment to the local community.
“Schools are one of the areas we really try to partner with and give back to,” he said. “By being involved in the community, we can really make a difference in those communities in a positive way.”
The new site will bring 25 to 30 jobs, including part-time positions and full-time management roles. Haley said more than half of the company’s managers began as hourly employees.
“It gives them the opportunity to move up and create a career out of a job they may have started just for a paycheck,” he said. “They can make an impact in their community while impacting their family in a positive way as well.”
The company looks to continue expanding across Texas with new corporate stores planned in Austin and growing interest from franchise operators. Currently, the company has six franchise locations with four different operators and is looking for new partners.
“We want people that are passionate about food and passionate about service,” Haley said. “We’re very selective about our franchise partners — we’re not looking to just sign people up and start getting royalties from them. We’re looking really long term.”
As for what success would look like in Bastrop, Haley said the goal is to become a reliable part of the community’s daily life.
“Being a part of the community, serving that great tasting barbecue,” Haley said. “Ultimately, success is just how ingrained and how we become the preferred barbecue in that market.”
