Smokey Mo's Opens Third Unit With Veteran Operators

Smokey Mo's BBQ opened its third location in Schertz, Texas, on May 25, run by longtime franchisees Kim and Roger Harris. The couple joined the brand in 2007 and already operate units in New Braunfels and San Antonio. They co-own the Schertz restaurant with partners Nathan and Ashlea Page, who have worked with the Harrises since 2015.

Growth Through Operators Who Stay

Smokey Mo's keeps expanding with franchisees it already knows rather than recruiting strangers, and the Harris family's nearly two-decade run is the model. A brand that grows through proven operators spends less on hand-holding and gets faster, cleaner openings, because the owners have already solved hiring, local marketing, and daily execution in nearby markets.

Why Local Density Helps

Schertz sits near the operators' San Antonio footprint and their home base in Cibolo. Clustering units in one region lets an operator share staff, suppliers, and management across stores. That density lowers cost per unit and makes it easier to hold quality, which is why regional barbecue brands often grow in tight geographic pockets rather than scattering locations.

The Read for Texas Operators

Smokey Mo's is updating its design and buildout to improve guest convenience and franchisee returns as it adds units. For multi-unit owners, the signal is that the brand is investing in unit-level economics before pushing harder on growth. Barbecue is labor and equipment heavy, so a format built for repeatable buildouts is what makes a third or fourth store realistic.