Tuesday, May 10, 2011

THE BAR-B-CUTIE STORY

In 1948, Eddie & Mildred McFarland ran a Pie Wagon known as Tasty-Eat-Shop in downtown Nashville on 9th Avenue. In those days, a Pie Wagon only accommodated about 20 patrons and had only counter service. Mr. & Mrs. McFarland had a strong following and were successful because they were known for their southern style home cooking. Everything was made from scratch.  In 1958, Mr. McFarland got word that the Bar-B-Cutie on Murfreesboro Road was for sale. He was very familiar with Bar-b-cutie and was aware that it started in 1950, serving the very best Hickory Smoked Barbecue in town. So he purchased Bar-B-Cutie. At that time, Bar-B- Cutie was predominantly a Car Hop business and had only four inside, dining tables.  Mr. McFarland expanded the existing “short order menu” by adding his fresh “made from scratch” southern vegetables.

Business quickly grew, and he soon had to build on to the inside dining area to accommodate more guests. The McFarland’s took great pride in Bar-B-Cutie and worked very hard to make sure that their food and service were the best in town. Bar-B-Cutie became a local hang-out. People all over Nashville enjoyed taking part in the “Bar-B-Cutie experience”; the great southern food, the Cutie Car Hops dressed in short, red skirts and white tops, and the unique family atmosphere that made one always feel welcome. In 1972, Eddie and Mildred McFarland moved the Bar-B-Cutie to Nolensville Road in South Nashville to a new building that would seat in excess of 300 people.

In 1978, Eddie & Mildred McFarland retired, and their son, Ronnie, opened the first Bar-B-Cutie Drive-thru window on the same parking lot as the Bar-B-Cutie Restaurant.  As time changed and people began getting busier, the Drive-Thru at Bar-B-Cutie became more and more popular… so popular that people would come and eat sitting on crates in the back room of the restaurant.  The larger restaurant was eventually sold in favor of the Drive-Thru.  A dining Room addition to the Drive-Thru was soon built.  Another Bar-B-Cutie location was opened on Donelson Pike in 1993.

In 2004, Bar-B-Cutie Franchise Systems was formed by Brett McFarland (Ronnie’s son) & Ronnie McFarland, and as of 2011, there are 18 Bar-B-Cutie Restaurant locations in the United States and Europe.
 Come by and visit a Bar-B-Cutie near you!! www.bar-b-cutie.com

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