In 1966 on Labor Day, Floyd and Laura Whitt began a dream and a tradition of excellence. They originally hoped to provide a way to send their four children to college, and now–over 56 years later–Whitt's is still providing hickory smoked bbq, cooked the old fashioned way with hickory coals. Floyd, a premier brick mason, designed and built a closed masonry pit in his backyard that pulled smoke across the pork shoulders giving the meat an open pit flavor. Folks saw the smoke, smelled the flavor and knocked on the door to purchase. We still use that pit design today.

 

Our first location in Athens, Alabama is still in operation, along with another Athens-based location. The first Decatur location opened in 1976 and is still in operation. We also operate two other locations in the Decatur area. Now there are numerous Whitt's in Tennessee in the Nashville area and surrounding counties. 

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The original crew on opening day in 1966 was Floyd, Laura, Jack, Joe, Mark, and Bonnie Whitt, quite a family endeavor. The dream and the tradition continues with now 4th generation and original family members!  

 

Mark H. Whitt

President 

Whitt’s Inc.