A Minnesota restaurant chain opened its first two restaurants in Utah this week.

"Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que, based in Eden Prairie, Minn., has opened to the public at 1166 E. Fort Union Blvd., Midvale, in the building formerly occupied by the Timber Lodge Steakhouse.

The chain also has a new restaurant at 1977 N. 2000 West, Layton.

Founder and chairman Dave Anderson opened his first restaurant in 1994 in Hayward, Wis., modeling it on what he describes as "the old-fashioned barbecue joints popular across the country 50 years ago."

The restaurant was an "instant success," a spokesman said, serving some 8,000 patrons per week in a town with a population of only 1,800.

The chain, which now has 41 locations nationwide, has won numerous awards over the past six years, including "Best Ribs in America" honors at the 2000 Great American Rib Cook-off, the "People's Choice" award at the Sioux Empire Rib Fest, and the 1997 "Hot Concept" award from Nation's Restaurant News.

The company went public on NASDAQ with an IPO in October, 1996, at $6.25 per share, closing that first day at $11.25. In early trading Friday, the stock was at $2.81, down 6.25 percent from Thursday's close.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.