Georgia Bob’s Barbecue closes its original Warner Robins location after 24 years

Motorists traveling recently through the intersection of Russell Parkway and South Houston Lake Road in Warner Robins may have noticed something amiss: the drive-thru sign of Georgia Bob’s BBQ is gone and the restaurant is closed.

Georgia Bob’s Barbecue Company, which once had multiple locations across Middle Georgia, got its start 24 years ago at that location tucked inside a convenience store and gas station.

The restaurant at 1882 Russell Parkway closed permanently Aug. 31.

A ‘bittersweet’ decision

Owners Robert “Bob” Evans III and Jennifer Cox characterized the closure as “bittersweet” in a letter to “our awesome community and valued employees” taped to the front door of the restaurant and posted on social media. The letter explains the closure.

“Oh yes, it’s so sentimental,” Cox said in a telephone interview. “Bob and I have had several emotional moments ... It’s where we started.

“We fought so many battles and we won 99% or we wouldn’t have been there a quarter of a century.”

But with the lease expiring at the Russell Parkway location and with another Georgia Bob’s BBQ already in Warner Robins, Evans and Cox decided to move in a different direction and invest more in the Byron location.

Evans founded Georgia Bob’s Barbecue Company at the Russell Parkway location, achieving a lifelong dream, according to Telegraph archives. Cox joined him as co-owner in 2005.

At the start of 2020, Georgia Bob’s BBQ restaurants were spread out across Middle Georgia, including two in Warner Robins and one in Byron, Perry, Dublin, Forsyth, Hawkinsville, Macon and Milledgeville — plus a wine bar and event venue in Byron.

Looking ahead to the future

Today, three franchise Georgia Bob’s BBQ restaurants remain, including a popular one in Warner Robins at 120 Howland Ave. off Ga. 96 that’s owned by Travis Ward.

Ward started at the Russell Parkway location shortly after it opened as a dishwasher and moved up in the ranks in the company, including serving as a district manager for several years before becoming an owner, according to Telegraph archives.

The Byron restaurant was the second Georgia Bob’s BBQ to open in Middle Georgia in 2009 at 140 Cane River Drive. Uncorked at Georgia Bob’s, the wine bar and event venue, which came later, is next door at 144 Cane River Drive.

Both also are thriving.

“Our Byron location, situated right off the interstate, has become a strong hub, thanks to our loyal customers and deep community ties, which we are extremely proud of,” Evans and Cox wrote in the letter.

“We plan to expand this location into an even more family and traveler friendly destination.”

Planned for the Byron location is a “pet sitting/play yard” where guests can dine inside with their pets nearby. In the interview, Cox said they’re still working on the details of how that will work

For pet owners who want to remain with their pets, the Byron restaurant already offers outdoor dining at picnic tables where pets are welcome, Cox said.

Also, longtime delivery customers at the Russell Parkway location are expected to be served without interruption from the Byron restaurant, Cox said.

In addition to being a partner in Georgia Bob’s Barbecue Company, Cox is also a co-owner of the Byron franchise location. Cox and Evans own the Georgia Bob’s trademark and serve as franchisors.

Also, Viola Thomas, who managed the Russell Parkway location, will manage the Byron restaurant. John Cox, who is the other co-owner of the Byron location and was also serving as the restaurant’s manager, is moving into marketing, catering and customer relations for the business.

The third remaining Georgia Bob’s BBQ is a popular spot at 107 Perimeter Road in Perry. The Perry restaurant’s franchise owner JJ Kirk also provides Georgia Bob’s BBQ food service for the cafeteria of Fort Valley’s largest employer, Blue Bird Bus Company that has more than 2,400 employees. A Georgia Bob’s BBQ food truck is also on site, Jennifer Cox said.

Built on family recipes

Georgia Bob’s BBQ is known for its Southern-style, vinegar-based barbecue based on recipes passed down from generations of Evans’ family members, he said.

The recipes, which have been tweaked over the years, can be traced back to Evan’s grandfather, Robert Cherry Evans Sr., who was over the brunswick stew at the once massive Peach Blossom Festival of the 1920s in Fort Valley.

Georgia Bob’s BBQ is also known for its homestyle chicken salad. Bob Evans said the chicken salad’s popularity is greater than even their pulled pork.

Hours at the Georgia Bob’s BBQ locations in Warner Robins and Perry are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. The Byron location is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. All three locations have drive-thrus.