Famous Dave's, The BBQ King from the Ojibwe Nation.
Spirit of Enterprise: Dave Anderson Serves Up Some Rib-Sticking Business Advice
Name: Dave Anderson
Title: Founder of Famous Daves of America
Type of business: Barbecue restaurant franchise
How long in business: 19 years
Original investment: Several million
Advice for other business owners: If youre going to open a business, you need to apprentice under someone who has been successful in that particular business. And, Everyone in business faces tough times, but I think the most important thing is to never give up.
Hes been called Americas Rib King, The Pit Master and you could even say hes a grilling guru. No matter what the nickname, one thing is certain: Dave Anderson knows his barbecue!
Anderson, the founder of Famous Daves of America, was introduced to barbecued ribs by his father when he was a young boy in Chicago. Smitten by that unforgettable smoky-sweet flavor, he spent 25 years searching for the best barbecue joints and recipes in the U.S. Trekking from barbecue meccas like Memphis, Kansas City and Chicago to the tiniest smokehouses in off-the-map locations, the Choctaw/Chippewa native left no rib unturned.
After much travel, sampling and experimentation on his own grill, Anderson was confident that he had found the secret to great barbecue. An enrolled member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Lake Superior Band of Ojibwa of northwest Wisconsin, he began building his first restaurant near the reservation in Hayward on Big Round Lake. Curious onlookers would ask Anderson what he was doing and hed respond, Im building the worlds best barbecue joint!
People thought he was crazy to be peddling barbecue in a region with so many Swedes and Norwegians, he says, but he has an easy explanation: My mom was from here and I had a dream that I never wavered from. In 1994, he finally opened his doors in the town of just 1,800 people and by summers end, we were serving 4,000 people who were driving from Chicago, Milwaukee and Minneapolis to eat barbecue at this place up in the north woods of Wisconsin.
Since that day 19 years ago, Famous Daves barbecue franchise has grown to 191 locations in 34 states and one Canadian province. His famously delicious menu of pork ribs, chicken, beef brisket, salads and desserts has nabbed more than 600 Best of Class awards. Notable honors include Best Barbecue Sauce in America in 1995 at the prestigious American Royal Barbecue Sauce Contest in Kansas City Missouri; and Hottest Restaurant Concept in America by Nations Restaurant News.
Like his famous barbecue franchise, Anderson has earned many accolades himself through the years. Standout accomplishments include a masters degree in public administration from Harvard University, and he served two presidents and three governors in advisory positions.
The barbecue king is quick to point out, however, that success didnt always come so easily. He went bankrupt twice. But I have been able to come back. I just never gave up. For him, failure is an event, not a way of life. If youre not failing youll never know what it takes to succeed. I have learned more from my adversities and failures than I have from being successful.
His greatest challenge, he says, was struggling with alcoholism. I have been sober now for 17 years. There would be no Famous Daves today if I hadnt gotten sober, he shares. I am now living a highly rewarding life of sobriety. I am not embarrassed to share the tough times I have had in my life because I feel that God kept me alive for a higher purpose of making a positive difference in the lives of othersand for this I am humbled and grateful.
Today, Anderson has become a sought-after motivational speaker and best-selling author, spreading his inspiring message that anything is possible, and that the American Dream is within reach for anyone who is willing to work hard for it.
Lynn Armitage is an enrolled member of the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin.
Read more at http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2013/06/10/spirit-enterprise-dave-anderson-serves-some-rib-sticking-business-advice-149793
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Famous Dave, is a real gentleman, his support of many Indian and non Indian charities/foundations is an inspiration.
Matt loves that place!
And I have to say, that he makes really great buffalo wings, too!
We go there all the time! It's a great restaurant!
Who'd a thunk it?
What an example.
LOL, calm down ambiv. BBQ on the way to you.
Dave is a success in more way than one ambiv. Now, he is spreading the word and helping those that need help. What could be better.
I hope his conservative business values are handed down to those that look up to him. He's a big name in the republican party.
Happy that you and Matt enjoy Famous Dave's.
You've never tried the Bar-b-q at my home town! YUMMY!
Good for you Dower, now you know that Famous Dave is contributing to you good eating.
Let's hope that he hands down his social concerns' to the republican party as well Dean.
Are you a shut in Ayatollah? There's a whole world outside of Tejas and most of it has better BBQ.
Is that an invitation Dower?
Sure! It would help the local economy-- Owensboro's that is!
Be sure to go to Old Hickory, as opposed to Moonlight. It costs a lot less and the food is exceptional!
He already did he was a Bush appointee.
Yes, he was appointed to the head the BIA.
''If I could afford it I'd eat there every night!!
'', I'm sure that they would welcome you as ''customer of the century''...LOL
There's a "Famous Dave's" in the neighborhood; the food is decent and the artwork, hunting and fishing objects on the walls are a bonus. Lots of choices of BBQ sauces and a big roll of paper towels instead of skimpy little napkins.
Apparently the key to success is to include the word "famous" in the name ...
There are , unfortunately , many who are good at what they do but never achieve success ...
I think it depends on the business . Food sold to the public seems to get a boost from having "famous" in the name . Think of Famous Amos ...
I looked it up and found one not to far from me. I'll try it out, love bbq !
Good point . The laws of supply and demand at work .
Of course Missouri BBQ is the best. KC the BBQ capital of the world. Arkansas, and Memphis deserve a ''honorable mention''.
Didn't know Ayatollah's were into BBQ. Thought you guys stuck with burnt shish kabob. There area lot ofBBQ dishes that are pork. That could be a problem for you Ayatollah.
Do the other Ayatollah's know that you've been eating BBQ?
BTW, I'll be sure to let Dave know that you don't think his BBQ is all that good. I'm sure that he'll be heart broken. Or his response will be, WTF does a Persian Ayatollah know about BBQ.
Paper towels, the man's answer to nakins...
Hope that you enjoy it pat.
Famous Dave has a lot to be proud of in addition to his Famous Dave's BBQ.
He was successful long before he started Famous Dave's.
His concern and help to for people that need it is legendary, but seldom spoken of.
Kudo's Dave
Find one in your area Cerenkov and give it a try.
Indeed Feronia, andI live in the middle of BBQ country, and their local shop is always packed.
Don't forget St Louis (MO) ribs too, Kavika!
Indeed Kat, St. Louis ribs are right up there with the best of them.
Dammit Cerenkov, demand that they open one closer to you.
It actually works. When I lived in NV there wasn't a ''Trader Joe's'' close. Everyone kept emailing Trader Joe's to open one in the area. They sent out surveys etc and within a year there was a brand new Trader Joe's.
My stepdaughter has been in Italy with her husband, who was serving an internship in physical therapy over there... They came home, finally, last night! We're going to dinner tonight and Guess where we're going! Famous Daves! YAY!!!
Tell them that Kavika an Ojibwe sent you. That might get you something, what I don't know. On second thought, don't tell them...LOLOLOL
Funny!
I will certainly tell my family!
There's a Famous Dave's just minutes from my house in Philly and because Kavika just had to post this my wife and I just had dinner there.
So, sit back, lick your lips and drool through my photos, all taken with my greasy hands and shaky iPhone.
Correction FREE DESSERT ON WEDNESDAYS!
Yep, drooling...... Good lookin' ribs. Like the wood decor, too.
Oh boy, now I'm hungry Mac. Great photos, and the food looks excellent. I love the napkins, a roll of paper towels, and moist towelettes....A real BBQ place. Dcor is excellent.
Free desert!!!!!
Was the BBQ good enough for you to go back?
I'm there now.
Just kidding; we've been there many times always good.
I may leave the electric motor in the garage and row the boat this weekend -- although the ribs are listed as only "830" calories. 'Course, I ate the blueberry cobbler and we took the corn muffins home for later tonight.
Yeah I'll be rowin'.
NOTE: Free Desserts on Wednesdays. All you can eat rib tips on Mondays.
Dinner tonight was GREAT! I told my family about Dave, from Kavika's post, and we will be eating there more often!
YAY!!
Good to hear Dower, happy that youenjoyed it.
Whoa, hold the fort. You've never had dessert at Famous Dave's!!!!
I have to re read that, it could be a crime, or at least deserving of a stern talking too...
Let's put it this way, it's under 2500 calories.
Provided you don't eat any of it.
It was very good and I'm not a dessert guy.
There's a Famous Dave's near when I live, one in Rancho Cucamonga, CA and one in Riveside CA, and I go to the one in Rancho Cucamonga as it is easier to get to.
I'm glad to here there's one in Riverside. I'm a fairly short drive from there and I guess I'll have to head over there and give them a try. I love me some good BBQ. As for the best, I have always been partial to Chicago style myself.