In 2002, when Bar-B-Cutieâ Franchise Systems was in its infant stages as a franchising company, Bar-B-Cutie®’s CEO, Ronnie McFarland made the decision to become a smoke-free company.  “Although my generation grew up on Luckys, we were never given the facts about the grave dangers of smoking.  Knowing that 53,000 American non-smokers die from heart disease, cancer, and lung disease caused by their exposure to second hand smoke-more than die in care accidents, I had no other choice than to take a stand in my restaurants and make them smoke-free!” states McFarland.

Legislation has recently prompted many restaurants to follow Bar-B-Cutie®’s no smoking ban.  “I see a bright future for Americans.

Heart disease will most definitely decline as restaurant leadership chooses to purposefully take an active role in eliminating the heart disease risk factors,” comments Greg George of Bar-B-Cutie Franchise Systems. California, Delaware, New York, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey

(casinos exempted), Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington have all banned smoking in restaurants and bars.  Montana banned smoking in restaurants - bars exempt till 2009. South Dakota had a ban - status unsure. In November 2006, Ohio and Nevada banned smoking in most public places;
Arizona passed a similar ban, which takes effect May 2007. In January 2006, the Territory of Puerto Rico banned smoking in the workplace, including bars and casinos. Smoking in restaurants is banned in a number of cities and counties in other states, but is still common.

Down home southern comfort foods as well as hickory smoked pit barbecue have made Bar-B-Cutie a healthy dining choice  which has complimented its stand on tobacco. 
Recently, Bar-B-Cutie Franchise Systems had a nutritional analysis of their menu done so that the menu would be easier to follow for people with specific dietary needs.  “We’ve came a long way since 1950, but our over all health philosophy has continued to remain the same.

Bar-B-Cutie has been committed to offering the healthiest dining options in the quick serve restaurant industry since 1950 and will continue to offer them in a healthy restaurant environment!”  finishes McFarland.

CEO McFarland has always been a strong supporter of promoting healthy hearts!  In 2006, McFarland hung up his fast-pitch, girls softball coaching hat after 13 years as head coach, his company purchased a basketball scoreboard for a local middle school, and supported various little league teams. He uses his power as CEO to keep healthy dining options at Bar-B-Cutieâ a priority and to empower Bar-B-Cutieâ’s franchisees with the tools they need to impact their community in a healthy way.

About Bar-B-Cutie

Bar-B-Cutie is a 57 year old fast casual barbecue restaurant and catering company that is currently growing thru U.S. and International franchising.

Bar-B-Cutie is famous for its hickory pit barbecue and baby back ribs, as well as a host of Southern lunches and dinners and homemade desserts. The model has four revenue streams with Dine – In, Take Out, Drive Thru and Catering. The company is currently the fastest growing quick casual barbecue chain in North America.