Big Rig BBQ pursuing different business model as Little Caesars expands

What started as a temporary closure of Big Rig BBQ’s restaurant a year ago is officially permanent now, and neighboring Little Caesars is expanding into the space.

The lease at 41st Street and Minnesota Avenue was terminated within the last couple months.

Big Rig owners Bob and Nicole Brenner haven’t operated the restaurant at 41st Street and Minnesota Avenue for about a year.

They’re still in business doing catering jobs such as weddings and corporate events. Brenner said he’ll do small jobs, those around the size of 20 people, only if he’s already running the smoker for a bigger event.

He has another barbecue-related venture in the works, but he’s not ready to talk about it yet.

“But it won’t be another restaurant where we have to spend all of our life there,” he said.

The Brenners started Big Rig BBQ in 2015, serving take-out Texas-style barbecue from a former drive-thru coffee cabin on South Louise Avenue, with his smoker inside a customized trailer. They opened the restaurant with seating in late 2016. At that time, Brenner was smoking 120 to 150 racks of ribs and 500 pounds of pork butt and brisket in an average week.

Little Caesars will add about 1,300 square feet to its space by expanding, building co-owner and manager Heather Taylor said.

“He (the franchisee) is going to figure out the best way to use the space and will enjoy having more parking. His business has grown and when it’s a ‘hot deal’ night at Little Caesars he runs out of space. So he’s very excited to have the whole parking lot to himself and figure out what to do with the extra space.”

This story has been edited to clarify that Big Rig’s lease was terminated, instead of not renewed.

Want to stay in the know?

Get our free business news delivered to your inbox.



Big Rig BBQ pursuing different business model as Little Caesars expands

What started as a temporary closure of Big Rig BBQ’s restaurant a year ago is officially permanent now, and neighboring Little Caesars is expanding into the space.

News Tip

Have a business news item to share with us?

Scroll to top