(EMAILWIRE.COM, October 09, 2009 ) Cary, NC—It was the occasional out-of-state inquiry that caused Smithfield’s Chicken N Bar-B-Q to begin shipping their signature Eastern style Bar-B-Q and sides. Turns out, traveling Eastern N.C. Bar-B-Q has been a bright spot in this sour economy. Richard Averitte, marketing director for Smithfield’s Chicken N Bar-B-Q, posted the news on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. He also included how it’s exactly done: vacuum-sealed fresh and packed in an insulated cooler with ice packs. What came next was surprising. The social networking sites yielded more online requests and interest than the company ever expected.
Will Gibson, a Kinston, NC native living in Seattle, ordered fifty pounds of Bar-B-Q for his wedding reception. A request even came from as far away as Afghanistan, when U.S. Navy operations specialist first class James Franks found SmithfieldÂ’s Facebook page. SmithfieldÂ’s Chicken N Bar-B-Q hasnÂ’t figured out how to ship Bar-B-Q that far; currently shipping is available to anyone in the continental U.S. Not wanting to disappoint, Averitte sent Franks two cases of hushpuppy mix instead. SmithfieldÂ’s Chicken N Bar-B-Q has now shipped Bar-B-Q to all fifty states and is bracing for the holiday season.
The new revenue stream prompted Smithfield’s Chicken N Bar-B-Q to launch a website dedicated entirely to shipping: weshipbarbq.com. “We have just been flooded with requests and questions; the website has helped tremendously,” says Averitte. “It’s been a wonderful way to diversify our business and give a little taste of North Carolina to those who can’t order it in person.”
SmithfieldÂ’s Chicken N Bar-B-Q has a 40-year history serving the finest fried chicken and Eastern-North-Carolina-style Bar-B-Q, made fresh daily from family recipes and served in a family-friendly atmosphere. SmithfieldÂ’s Chicken N Bar-B-Q has over 30 locations in North Carolina as well as an online store where BBQ can be shipped anywhere in the United States.
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Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q
Richard Averitte
919-656-6987 raveritte@scnbnc.com
