Hungry for Great BBQ? Visit Southern Luv BBQ at Booth 616 at the Tampa Franchise Show for a Free Pulled Pork Sandwich Sample

Chef Essi Tadrus and his Pit Crew invite attendees to enjoy authentic, pecan-smoked barbecue, explore a franchise opportunity, and discover a special $5,000 franchise-fee discount honoring veterans and military families.

TAMPA, FL // FranchisePressReleases.com // — October 15, 2026 — Heading to the Tampa Franchise Show this weekend? Come hungry, bring your questions, and make Booth 616 your destination for great barbecue and a fresh look at business ownership.

Southern Luv BBQ, the Florida-based barbecue concept founded by Chef Essi Tadrus, is inviting show attendees to stop by, meet Essi and his Pit Crew, and enjoy a free sample of the brand’s BBQ pulled pork sandwich.

But there’s more waiting at Booth 616 than great food.

Essi will be joined by Dan and Larry, members of his Pit Crew who will be available to answer questions about opening and operating a Southern Luv BBQ franchise. Whether you’re exploring business ownership for the first time, considering a new chapter after military service, or looking for your next multi-unit investment, the team welcomes the opportunity to talk with you.

And for those considering franchise ownership, Southern Luv BBQ has two special offers worth discovering.

Meet Chef Essi Tadrus and His Pit Crew

For Chef Essi Tadrus, barbecue is more than a business. It’s a lifelong passion that began during his childhood, when his father was stationed near Fort Hood, Texas.

Essi had his first real barbecue rib at just five years old, sparking an appreciation for barbecue that would shape his future. By age 14, he was learning to cut meat and make sausage. By 19, he had opened his first barbecue restaurant.

Today, that passion lives on through Southern Luv BBQ, a fast-casual concept built around authentic pecan-wood-smoked meats, scratch-made sauces and sides, and the kind of hospitality that brings people together.

At Booth 616, attendees can meet Essi, Dan, and Larry, sample the food, and get a firsthand introduction to the people behind the brand.

Curious about what it takes to own your own barbecue franchise? Ask the Pit Crew.

Dan and Larry will be there to help answer questions about opening and operating a Southern Luv BBQ location, giving prospective franchise owners an opportunity to learn more about the business, the concept, and the path toward ownership.

No pressure. Just great barbecue, an approachable team, and an opportunity to explore.

A $5,000 Franchise-Fee Discount Honoring Veterans and Military Families

November is National Veterans and Military Families Month and through November, Southern Luv BBQ is recognizing the occasion with a special franchise incentive.

The $25,000 initial franchise fee will be reduced by $5,000, bringing it down to $20,000.

The offer reflects Southern Luv BBQ’s appreciation for the service, commitment, and sacrifices of veterans and military families and first responders.

Essi’s own connection to military life began with his father’s service and his childhood near Fort Hood. That personal history makes the opportunity to recognize the military community especially meaningful.

For veterans, military families, first responders, and aspiring entrepreneurs considering franchise ownership, the show is an ideal opportunity to meet the team, ask questions, and learn about this special offer.

Interested attendees can speak with Essi and his Pit Crew at Booth 616 for details about the discount, eligibility, and applicable terms.

To the veterans and military families who have sacrificed so much: Thank you for your service.

Discover a Modern BBQ Franchise with Room to Grow

Southern Luv BBQ brings the appeal of authentic Southern barbecue to a fast-casual model designed for flexibility.

The concept features a compact footprint of approximately 600–1,000 square feet and a ventless, hoodless kitchen model, potentially opening the door to locations that may be challenging for traditional barbecue restaurants.

Depending on the market and site, potential locations may include food halls, urban retail spaces, college campuses, airports, and other nontraditional venues.

The menu features barbecue favorites such as pulled pork, brisket, ribs, and smoked chicken, complemented by signature sauces and scratch-made sides.

Southern Luv BBQ is building its franchise presence across Florida and the Southeast, with opportunities for qualified single-unit owners and multi-unit development partners.

For prospective franchisees, the opportunity is to explore a differentiated concept in a familiar and enduring food category, supported by a team that understands the importance of great food and genuine hospitality.

Attendees can learn more about the business model, potential locations, and next steps directly from Essi and his team at the show.

Mention FranchisePressReleases.com and Receive an Opening-Day Bonus

There’s one more reason to remember Southern Luv BBQ’s Booth 616.

Mention FranchisePressReleases.com when you meet the team. If you subsequently purchase a Southern Luv BBQ franchise, you can claim a complimentary protein order from Southern Luv BBQ when your franchise location opens.

It’s an additional thank-you for discovering the opportunity through FranchisePressReleases.com and taking the next step toward franchise ownership.

Be sure to mention the website during your conversation at the show so the team can recognize your participation. Ask the team for details about the complimentary order and applicable terms.

Combined with the free pulled pork sandwich at the show and the $5,000 franchise-fee discount, it’s another reason to stop by, get acquainted with the team, and explore what Southern Luv BBQ could offer your future.

Come Hungry. Bring Your Questions. Visit Booth 616.

The Tampa Franchise Show brings together entrepreneurs, aspiring business owners, and franchisors for a weekend of exploring new possibilities.

Southern Luv BBQ invites attendees to make Booth 616 part of their plans.

Meet Chef Essi Tadrus. Get to know Dan and Larry from his Pit Crew. Enjoy a free sample of BBQ pulled pork. Ask questions about opening and operating your own franchise. And learn how Southern Luv BBQ is building its presence across Florida and the Southeast.

If you’re a veteran, a first-time entrepreneur, an experienced business owner, or simply someone who has been thinking about owning a franchise, this is an opportunity to start a conversation with a team that welcomes your questions.

Come for the barbecue. Stay for the conversation. Leave with a taste of Southern Luv BBQ—and a better understanding of the opportunity.

Event Details

Event: The National Franchise Show – Tampa
Dates: October 17–18, 2026
Location: Tampa Convention Center
Address: 333 South Franklin Street, Tampa, FL 33602
Booth: 616
Saturday hours: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday hours: 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

Meet Southern Luv BBQ at Booth 616 this weekend. Your next business opportunity might start with a free pulled pork sandwich sample.

Learn more about the franchise opportunity at Southern Luv BBQ on FranchisePressReleases.com.

About Southern Luv BBQ

Founded by Chef Essi Tadrus in Tampa, Florida, Southern Luv BBQ is a fast-casual barbecue concept built on authentic pecan-wood-smoked meats, scratch-made sauces and sides, and genuine Southern hospitality. The company is expanding its franchise presence across Florida and the Southeast, welcoming qualified single-unit and multi-unit franchise partners interested in bringing its distinctive barbecue experience to new communities.

About FranchisePressReleases.com

FranchisePressReleases.com is a franchise-focused media platform connecting franchisors, franchise industry professionals, and prospective franchise owners through franchise news, brand announcements, and franchise opportunity information. It is part of Franchise Media Group, a growing network of franchise-focused media properties dedicated to increasing visibility, credibility, and discovery across the franchise industry.

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