Description

Zack’s—Hotchkiss CO BBQ Restaurant for Sale, CO Income-Producing Property for Sale

Every small town has a favorite gathering place where locals love to come for good food and drink, and often that restaurant’s reputation expands far beyond the local area. In Western Colorado, that place is Zack’s Bar-B-Q, famous for its apple-wood smoked meats, down-home cooking, friendly atmosphere, and great food. Zack’s is located in Hotchkiss, Colorado, but ask any knowledgeable local in Aspen, Telluride, Grand Junction, Montrose, or Glenwood Springs, and they’ll tell you that you have to stop at Zack’s if you’re driving through the scenic North Fork Valley.

Colorado restaurant for sale has a long history of serving great barbecue

Zack’s was started in the early 1970’s by Zack Meyer, a Texan who loved to hunt and fish in Western Colorado. He ended up settling in Hotchkiss, which is known for its beautiful agrarian landscapes, excellent elk and mule deer hunting, world-class fly-fishing on the gold medal waters of the Gunnison River, and fruit orchards blanketing the mesas near town. Zack started out as a ranch hand in Hotchkiss, and the owners of the local livestock sale barn asked him if he would set up a portable pit barbecue once a week to offer food for the auction buyers.  Zack saw the ready supply of apple firewood from orchardists taking out old apple trees and he knew he could build a pit barbecue and make some awesome Texas-style smoked BBQ, offering smoked brisket, ribs, chicken, ham, and good old country favorites like baked beans, coleslaw, cornbread, and all kinds of fresh-baked pies. He eventually bought out the sale yard and established Zack’s Bar-B-Q. His method of advertising was very simple: Zack extended his butcher knife with a sample of smoked meat on it. No one declined to order a meal after one of his “taste tests”.

Pandemic-proof business opportunity for sale Hotchkiss CO—Zack’s BBQ restaurant

Zack asked his daughter, Cheryl, and her husband, Dave Price, to join him in running the restaurant as he considered retirement. Zack passed in 2013, but the restaurant was in good hands. Over the past decade, Dave and Cheryl have not only continued the legacy of Zack’s famous barbecue, but they also modernized the kitchen, expanded the dining room, remodeled the interior, and updated the menu. They have added a take-out component to the restaurant, which was a blessing to the community during the CoVid pandemic. “There were times that I had to just take the phone off the hook during the pandemic,” Dave reports. “I couldn’t handle any more take-out orders.”

Colorado catering business with special events center–Zack's BBQ restaurant is a Colorado caterer

Zack's caters many special events in the North Fork Valley for community groups, charity auctions, weddings, and businesses. They have catered events as large as 450 people, and served the entire group within two hours and 15 minutes. Dave and Cheryl are willing to lease their events center and 6-acre yard to the new owner of the restaurant. The event center has his-and-hers bathrooms, serving counter, an outdoor kitchen with 8-burner grill, cold storage for food and beer kegs, and picnic table seating for up to 240 people. The lawn fronts the North Fork River and is beautifully maintained. They have hosted car shows that have attracted thousands of guests and over 250 classic cars.

Barbecue restaurant with liquor license offered for sale in Hotchkiss, CO

Zack's has a liquor license for beer and wine sales that will transferred to a qualifed buyer. The restaurant is located within Delta County, but not the Town of Hotchkiss and consequently has lower sales taxes. 

Real estate is offered with business for sale—1-acre parcel with restaurant, 2-bedroom owner’s apartment

The restaurant building is a total of 4,442 square feet, which includes an upstairs 800-square-foot 2-bedroom owner’s apartment. The dining room and kitchen area comprises approximately 3,600 square feet, with men’s and ladies’ restrooms. Zack’s fire pit occupies a prominent space in the middle of the restaurant and is fed by applewood on a steady basis. Dave and Cheryl have retained a sizable parcel to the east of the restaurant that has been used for weddings, car shows, banquets, and other events. There is an excellent event structure that has a covered area with an outdoor kitchen and men’s and women’s restrooms. This area is available for lease with a suitable contract on the restaurant.

Excellent income with turn-key BBQ restaurant business for sale

This business is in excellent operating condition and the books will show outstanding income. Truly, those who know the restaurant business will be astounded at the numbers on this property. Interested buyers shall contact the listing brokers and sign a non-disclosure agreement, upon which financials will be shared.