Shane Thompson, founder of Shane’s Rib Shack, is excited about the company’s 10th anniversary on march 24, 2012. he is excited about having seventy rib shacks scattered throughout the southeast United States and beyond. But if you really want to see him animated, get him talking about community involvement. “Half the anniversary sales will benefit a friends house (http://www.afriendshouse.org) in Henry County. They are an amazing organization in Henry County...you…

Shane’s Rib Shack: Ten years strong and moving forward

Shane Thompson, founder of Shane’s Rib Shack, is excited about the company’s 10th anniversary on march 24, 2012. he is excited about having seventy rib shacks scattered throughout the southeast United States and beyond. But if you really want to see him animated, get him talking about community involvement. “Half the anniversary sales will benefit a friends house (http://www.afriendshouse.org) in Henry County. They are an amazing organization in Henry County...you know about them, don’t you?”

by Diane Smith

But let’s not get ahead of our story. Shane is not a native Henry Countian (“But I feel like one.”) He was raised in Avondale Estates in DeKalb County by his grandparents, Big Dad and Big Mom. Big Dad was the City Manager and Chief of Police in the close knit community with a population just over 2,000. It was a community where backyard barbeques brought people together for great food and good times.

Fast forward. Shane Thompson is making a success of his life in the cardiac medical field. He was working with a large medical system, then moved into the private sector with two other guys who developed an enterprise known as WebMD (online medical information site.) Shane met his wife, Stacey, a radiology technologist in Henry County. They moved to South Carolina for a short time; loved living in the Greenville area, but found themselves returning to Henry County on weekends. “We were only there six or seven months, then followed a career opportunity back to Henry County. It was home.”

Shane and Stacey began building their family – they have four children, Shaina, Summer, Seth & Slade. They had a strong faith in a loving God. But something was missing, and the seed of a dream began to grow. The dream involved Big Dad’s secret barbeque sauce and starting a family restaurant. Neither had ever worked in the restaurant business...but, hey, it doesn’t hurt to dream, does it? They didn’t realize that God was leading them to a venture that would change their lives.

They had often passed the little white building on the corner of East Lake and 155 in McDonough. “Wouldn’t that be a neat place for a barbeque shack?” they would say as they drove by. Then one day, there was a “for rent” sign on the building. And the rest, as they say, is history. Shane’s Rib Shack was born. There were no semi trucks from Sysco foods pulling onto the lot with deliveries. “It was us in a pickup truck, going to Sam’s Club for supplies!”

Within two short years, the business began to grow to other locations. “The community accepted us,” Shane recalls. “I think it’s because we treat people well. We are not just about good food, we are about making sure that the person standing at the counter has a good experience.” Stacey helps to teach this philosophy to those purchasing Shane’s franchises. “Shane’s Rib Shack would not exist without Stacey,” Shane interjects. “When I wanted to quit, she kept me going.”

What about catering? “We cater to groups as small as ten and as big as 7,000,” he assures. “We can do ‘down home’ and comfortable, or we can do big and fancy with the white linen and nice tableware.” Kyla Tamarro leads the catering efforts and can help plan office lunches, corporate events, tailgate parties, receptions and rehearsals – just about anything that requires good food and great service.

And, as we first stated, his real love is community. “Eating barbecue is really about more than food. It’s communal – it’s about gathering together.” When people talk about Shane’s Rib Shack, he hopes they talk about more than good food. He sees the restaurant as a platform to do bigger things than feed people. “We want to do more than write a check to local non-profits,” he says seriously. “When you can get out there and bring food to a church for an out-of-state family whose 16 year old daughter was just killed in an accident, that’s what’s important.” Or when you can provide free catering to a non-profit so they can host a fundraiser for 200 people to help further their cause. “Every business and individual in this county needs to take on that kind of commitment,” Shane encourages. “Everyone can do something.”

2012 Scovie Awards Honors Best Spicy & Savory Food Products

For Immediate Release – November 2, 2011

Contact:

Atlanta, GA – The 2012 Scovie Awards judging panel of top culinary experts honored Shane’s Rib Shack with a first place award in the Full Product Submissions Contest for their website. Their winning…

SHANE’S RIB SHACK WINS FIRST PLACE AWARD FOR WEBSITE AT WORLD’S MOST COMPETITIVE FIERY FOODS CONTEST

2012 Scovie Awards Honors Best Spicy & Savory Food Products

For Immediate Release – November 2, 2011

Contact:

Atlanta, GA – The 2012 Scovie Awards judging panel of top culinary experts honored Shane’s Rib Shack with a first place award in the Full Product Submissions Contest for their website. Their winning product was applauded for its outstanding design.

Shane’s Rib Shack has over 65 restaurants in 13 states. Products can be purchased at any Shane’s Rib Shack restaurant location. For a list of locations go to www.shanesribshack.com/store_locator.  

Competition was particularly fierce for the 2012 awards, with product entries up 177 over 2011. In all, 161 companies entered 792 products for a chance at Scovie glory. Dave DeWitt, founder of the Scovie Awards and National Fiery Foods and Barbecue Show said entries came from 38 states and four countries including Australia, Sweden, Canada and the United States.

DeWitt, the “Pope of Peppers,” was pleased with the variety and quality of the entries. “It’s thrilling to see more entries than ever in our sixteenth year of the Scovie Awards. I’m always impressed by the creative new ideas and delicious ways people showcase fiery foods,” DeWitt said.

Guests can sample and buy Scovie Award-winning products at the upcoming 2012 National Fiery Foods & Barbecue Show (March 2-4, 2012) at Sandia Resort and Casino in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Vendors from across the country will be in attendance. For more information please visit: www.fieryfoodsshow.com.

About

The Scovie Awards is an annual competition created by Dave DeWitt that recognizes the top fiery foods products in the world. The awards were named after the Scoville scale, a measurement of the spicy heat of a chile pepper. It is one of the most competitive blind tasted food competitions. Hundred of products are entered and go through rigorous tastings to receive the top honors. The Scovie Awards take place annually in the month of October. For more information, visit www.scovieawards.com.

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Shane’s Rib Shack “Wait and Win” Promotion

OfficialSweepstakes RulesNo Purchase or Payment Necessary to Enter or Win
 A Purchase Will Not Increase Your Chances Of Winning

1. Eligibility:
Sweepstakes is open to legal residents of the 50 United States and Washington, D.C. who are 13 years of age or older as of 12/1/11. Employees of The Coca-Cola Company (“Sponsor”) and the “Promotional Participants” (i.e., Coca-Cola Bottlers, Shane’s Rib Shack, Petrus Brands and their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies and suppliers…

Gage/Coca-Cola 

Shane’s Rib Shack “Wait and Win” Promotion

OfficialSweepstakes RulesNo Purchase or Payment Necessary to Enter or Win
 A Purchase Will Not Increase Your Chances Of Winning

1. Eligibility:
Sweepstakes is open to legal residents of the 50 United States and Washington, D.C. who are 13 years of age or older as of 12/1/11. Employees of The Coca-Cola Company (“Sponsor”) and the “Promotional Participants” (i.e., Coca-Cola Bottlers, Shane’s Rib Shack, Petrus Brands and their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies and suppliers that are involved in this Sweepstakes) and each of their immediate family members (mother, father, sister, brother, husband, wife, daughter, son, step-father, step-mother, step-daughter, step-son, step-brother, step-sister, half-brother, and half-sister) and/or those living in the same household of each are not eligible. Void where prohibited by law. 

2. How it Works:
Beginning on 12/1/11 through 12/31/11 or when supplies of Sweepstakes Game Pieces are exhausted, an eligible person will receive one (1) “No Peek Game Piece” upon purchase of a qualifying menu item (any Sandwich Combo, Tenders Meal or Plate).  Alternatively, to receive a Game Piece without making an eligible purchase, request Game Piece from the Shane’s Rib Shack store manager (while supplies last). Limit one (1) Game Piece per person, per store visit, per day (regardless of method of receipt). “No Peek Game Pieces” will be sealed and may not be opened by anyone other than a Shane’s Rib Shack employee. Customers must bring back their sealed Game Piece to the same Shane’s Rib Shack location where they received it, between 1/1/12 and 2/29/12 to reveal their prize. Game Pieces may not be opened by the customer and will not be opened by a Shane’s Rib Shack employee before January 1, 2012. Game Pieces that are opened prior to 1/1/12, opened by someone other than a Shane’s Rib Shack employee, damaged, or tampered with are VOID. Inside the sealed Game Piece will be a prize winning message. Potential Grand Prize winner will receive claim instructions from the Shane’s Rib Shack manager. All other prize levels must be redeemed on the day the Game Piece is opened. Customers who have more than one Game Piece will only be permitted to have one opened per visit. Only one (1) prize redemption allowed per person, per visit. 

3. Verification: All prize claims are subject to verification. In the event of a printing, production or other error or irregular Game Pieces, neither the Sponsor nor the Promotional Participants shall have any liability beyond reasonable efforts to award the advertised number of prizes specified in these rules. Game Pieces that are not obtained through authorized, legitimate channels or that are forged, altered, blank in whole or in part, reproduced, tampered with in any way, mutilated, incomplete or that contain printing, production, typographical, mechanical, or other errors are automatically void.
No more than the advertised number of prizes will be awarded.  Game Pieces may not be transferred or sold. Only Game Pieces obtained at a participating Shane’s Rib Shack shall be deemed to have been obtained legitimately.

4. Game Piece Distribution; Prizes; Approximate Retail Values (“ARV”) & Approximate Odds of Winning (Odds are based on all Game Pieces being distributed; Unclaimed
Prizes will not be awarded):  A total of 252,000 Game Pieces will be available in the Sweepstakes. 
Odds of winning the (1) Grand Prize, a Falcons Get Away [prize consists of round trip coach class airfare for ten from a major airport near winner’s residence to Atlanta, GA, 2 day/1 night hotel accommodations (one room, double occupancy) at Sponsor-specified hotel, ten (10) tickets to an Atlanta Falcons home football game on a Sponsor-specified date during the 2012/2013 football season and $1000 spending money] (ARV: $10,000) are 1:252,000. (Actual retail value may vary depending on winner’s point of departure and airfare fluctuations. Any difference between stated approximate retail value and actual value will not be awarded). All other travel-related expenses, including but not limited to ground transportation, luggage fees, meals, gratuities and incidental hotel and personal expenses are the sole responsibility of the winner. Seat location at Sponsor’s sole discretion. Sponsor is not responsible if game is postponed or cancelled after ticketing of prize for any reason, in whole or in part. Trip must be taken on dates specified by Sponsor or prize will be forfeited in its entirety. The odds of winning a First, Second, Third and Fourth Prize at the following locations: 4500 North Oracle Road, Tucson, AZ 85705; 196 N. Milledge Avenue,Athens, GA 30605; 3894 Due West Rd. Suite 280, Marietta, GA 30064; 5770 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Suite 111, Norcross, GA 30071; 123 Perimeter Center West, Suite 400, Atlanta, GA 30346; 300 Village Green Cir. SE. Smyrna, GA 30080; 4835 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Lawrenceville, GA 30044; 400 Earnest Barrett Pkwy, Suite VC08, Kennesaw, GA 30144; 3465 Braselton Highway, NE, Suite 170, Dacula, GA 30019; 534 College Drive, Barnesville, GA 30204; 1522 Gemini Place, Columbus, OH 43240; and 1940-B Hoffmeyer Rd., Florence, SC 29501 (each of which will receive a total of 2,000 Game Pieces); on a per participating store location basis are as follows: 1:200 for each of the (10) First Prizes (available per store) (one (1) 10^th Anniversary Celebration Dinner (1/2 Rack Plate) with an ARV of $12.49); 1:200 for each of the (10) Second Prizes (available per store) (one (1) Dinner on Shane (up to $10) with an ARV of up to $10.00; and 1:200 for each of the (10) Third Prizes (available per store) (one (1) 10^th Anniversary T-shirt with an ARV of $7.00); and 1:33 for each of the (60) Fourth Prizes – (available per store) (one (1) Salad with an ARV of $6.99).

The odds of winning a First, Second, Third and Fourth Prize at all other remaining participating locations (each of which will receive a total of 4,000 Game Pieces) are as follows: 1:400 for each of the (10) First Prizes (available per store) (one (1) 10^th Anniversary Celebration Dinner (1/2 Rack Plate) with an ARV of $12.49); 1:400 for each of the (10) Second Prizes (available per store) (one
(1) Dinner on Shane (up to $10) with an ARV of up to $10.00; 1:400 for each of the (10) Third Prizes (available per store) (one (1) 10^th Anniversary T-shirt with an ARV of $7.00); and 1:27 for each of the (60) Fourth Prizes – (available per store) (one (1) Salad with an ARV of $6.99). Odds of winning a Fifth, Sixth Prize or Seventh Prize at any participating store location are as follows: Fifth Prize – one (1) Smoked ½ Chicken (with an ARV of $5.99 and Odds of 1:40) Sixth Prize – one (1) 3-Piece Tenders (Grilled or Fried) (with an ARV of $3.87 and Odds of 1:27) Seventh Prize – one (1) Mouth Watering Peach Cobbler (with an ARV of $2.49 and Odds of 1:2); Eighth Prize – one (1) Side Item (of your choice) (with an ARV of $1.49 and Odds of 1:4); and Ninth Prize – one (1) 20 oz. fountain
beverage (with an ARV of $1.49 and Odds of 1:7). 

Food/beverage prizes may not be combined with any other offer. Gift Certificate is not redeemable or exchangeable for cash and is subject to all terms and conditions of use as established by issuer. Prizes consist of only the item specifically listed as the prize. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute prize of equal or greater value.

5. General Rules: No substitution, cash redemption or transfer of prize by winner permitted.  All federal, state and local taxes are the sole responsibility of winner.  All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. All materials submitted become the property of the Sponsor and will not be returned.  Sponsor is not responsible for lost or damaged Game Pieces or for Game Pieces that are not revealed by 2/29/12.  If Potential Grand Prize winner is deemed in a minor (in his/her state of residence) the Grand Prize will be awarded to minor's parent/legal guardian. Potential Grand Prize winner and his/her guests must sign and return an Affidavit of Eligibility/Release of Liability Form within ten (10) days of attempted notification. If any guest of Grand Prize winner is deemed a minor in his/her state of residence, winner must be minor’s parent/legal guardian, or minor must be accompanied by his/her parent/legal guardian and counted as one of the nine (9) guests and must complete required paperwork on behalf of such minor. Grand Prize winner and his/her guests must possess required travel documents (e.g. valid Photo ID) prior to departure and must travel on the same itinerary. Grand Prize winner will be issued an IRS Form 1099 for the retail value of prize and is advised to seek independent counsel regarding the tax implications of their respective prize winning. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission to the Sponsor and its Promotional Participants to use winners’ names and/or likenesses for purposes of advertising and trade without further compensation, unless prohibited by law. By accepting prize, winners (or parent/legal guardian if winner is deemed a minor in his/her state of residence) agree to release and hold Sponsor and their Promotional Participants, their advertising agencies and respective employees,harmless against any and all claims and liability arising out of use/acceptance of prize. Entrants (or parent/legal guardian if entrant is deemed a minor in his/her state of residence) assume all liability for any injury or damage caused, or claimed to be caused, by participation in this promotion, and the acceptance/use of prize. By participating in this promotion, entrants (or parent/legal guardian if entrant is deemed a minor in his/her state of residence) agree to be bound by the Official Rules and the decisions of the judges.  Sponsor and the Promotional Participants are not responsible for any typographical or other error in the printing, the offering or the announcement of any prizes or in the administration of the promotion.

6. WIN LIST: For the name of the Grand Prize winner, available after 4/07/12, send a separate, self-addressed, stamped (#10) envelope to: Shane’s Rib Shack “Wait and Win” Promotion Winners List, 1425 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW, Suite 38, Atlanta, GA 30318 to be received by 3/07/12.

 7. SPONSOR: The Coca-Cola Company, One Coca-Cola Plaza, Atlanta, GA 30313.

Shane Thompson hung on to his grandfather’s advice: “Do what you love, and do it better than anyone else.” Thompson’s restaurant, Shane’s Rib Shack, has been racking up multiple “Best BBQ” accolades since 2002, thanks to its signature hickory-smoked ribs, hand-chopped pork and a variety of Southern sides. Thompson says the chain’s continued growth strategy involves targeting multi-unit operators, because of their resources and access to capital. Shane’s also plans to work toward developing a specialized lending program to provide franchisees with easier access to financing.

What:              Free ½ Racks of St. Louis Ribs will be awarded to the First 100 customers who donate $5 towards the Wounded Warrior Foundation at the Hickory Flat Shane’s Rib Shack on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 21^st.  The celebration begins at 11a.m. and lasts until the first 100 ½ racks of St. Louis ribs are purchased!  100% of donations will benefit the Wounded Warriors Foundation.  All service men and women will receive Free Peach Cobbler on May 21^st!Other activities include drawings for prizes for anyone that makes a donation and patriotic coloring sheets for kids!

When:             Saturday, May 21^st

Where:            Shane’s Rib Shack – Hickory Flat
                      2864 E. Cherokee Drive, Suite A
                      Canton, GA  30188
                      770-720-8835

Why:                  Local owners Ed and Laura Patzsch would like to honor our service men and women this Armed Forces Day by collecting donations that support those who have been wounded in service.  

 About Shane’s Rib Shack

Shane Thompson opened The Original Shack in 2002, in rural McDonough, GA with his grandfather's secret BBQ sauce.  Since becoming a franchise in 2004, Shane's Rib Shack has grown to become the country's fastest growing fast-casual barbecue concept featuring signature hickory-smoked ribs, grilled chicken tenders, smoked wings, half chicken, hand-chopped BBQ chicken and pork, as well as a variety of fresh salads and complementary sides.  In 2010, Shane’s Rib Shack was recognized by “Inc. Magazine 5,000” as one of the fastest growing, private companies in America and made Franchise Times “Fast 55 List,” highlighting the very best of the fast casual industries over 600 restaurants.  Shane’s Rib Shack currently has 68 locations in 13 states.

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March 17th, 2011

Shane’s Rib Shack franchisee, Charlie Feehan, was recently recognized by the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce for his generous donation of free meals to all the Forsyth County School mentors. There are over 500 active mentors in the program, who work with 30 schools in the county and have contributed approximately 2,000 hours. This is Charlie’s 3rd year working with this great organization!