ENID, OK - One Christian based, family business will soon be replacing another in Enid, Oklahoma. Steve Harris, owner of Western Sizzlin, has accepted an offer from Swadley's Bar-B-Q to purchase the property and land in order to renovate the location into the newest Swadley's World Famous Bar-B-Q.
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Swadley's representatives had been looking at locations throughout Enid and at one time leaned toward a spot just west of Atwoods. Founder and owner, Brent Swadley, said that each time they had a location in mind, things would fall apart. The only location that continuously felt like a good fit was Western Sizzlin.
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Swadley approached Harris and asked him about the location. It may have been divine intervention because Harris, age 64, was just about to hit 42 years in the business and was beginning to think about retirement. Harris and his family opened Western Sizzlin in Enid on December 15, 1981 and have run it for the last 37 years.
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Swadley made an offer on the property and presented his vision for the restaurant in Enid. Harris knew he would be looking at a costly renovation if he was going to keep Western Sizzlin open many more years.
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Harris started his career with Western Sizzlin in Hot Springs, Arkansas in 1977 when he was 22-years-old. His kids, Kate, Steffanie and Isaac, grew up in the restaurant where they all eventually worked. Wife, Brenda, also helped out in the family business.
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The Harris's always treated the employees like family which made the decision to sell gut wrenching. Harris gathered his entire family to Enid so they could be at the restaurant when the employees were informed of the situation. Many tears were shed Monday night after the crew was told of the news.
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For his part, Brent Swadley wanted to be in Enid, at the restaurant, when Harris told the employees. Swadley brought his son, Coulton Swadley, and father, Ron Swadley, with him to Enid. He also brought management and HR staff to answer questions crew members would have.
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Swadleys' Bar-B-Q is expanding and currently has 7 stores. Their newest eatery is in Ardmore, Oklahoma. In the last 20 years, Brent Swadley has taken his bootleg bar-b-q business from the parking lot of Walmart to a $23 million dollar company.
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A typical Swadley's restaurant can see 800-1200 guests a day. Their core values are God, family and then business. They are dedicated to quality employees, great food, great service and exceeding their guest's expectations.
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Swadley's brought applications for all Western Sizzlin employees and intends on hiring as many as they can when the new restaurant opens. They feel like they will need between 80-150 employees for the Enid location. Unfortunately due to the extensive renovations the store will have to be shut down for several months.
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Swadley said he hopes to open the new eatery in March 2019. Elite team members will need to be hired 5-6 weeks before opening so they can be trained in the flagship store. They will in turn train other team members 3-4 weeks before opening. Western Sizzlin employees spent Monday evening getting to know the members of the Swadley's management team.
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Swadley's is a fast casual bar-b-q restaurant with full service much like Western Sizzlin. The two major differences between the stores will be the food selection and Swadley's will not be open on Sunday's. Visit the Swadley's Website for more store information.
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Harris struggled with the decision because of his employees and his customers. Western Sizzlin has been a staple for many folks in Enid for that past several decades. For some, there will be no way to replace it. Harris plans on closing Western Sizzlin on December 21, 2018.
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Harris encourages everyone to come out and have a last dinner with he and his staff. They are also encouraging everyone to spend any unused gift cards they might have.
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This stinks. Western Sizzling is better. Being an old southern boy I can tell a southerner worth his oats would not care for Swatley’S or Billy Sims.
I don’t think anyone can come in and replace Western Sizzlin. Steve created a niche that will not be filled.
who “decides” to retire then announces it to employees days later? also informing them they will be out of a job ten days later (guess the two weeks notiice standard doesnt apply to EMPLOYERS) not to mention, these two wonerfful Christian companys laying off people days before Christmas???
Hey Julie, it’s not really for me to speak for either company but I was at the announcement that night and Steve offered all employees that worked through the 21st two additional weeks of income.
Sad but understand. I will always love you and your family. Your Christian friend Julie Chase
T Simpson, Swadleus is nothing like Billy Sims or Rib Crib! I guess being an old southern boy makes you close minded. I didn’t care for Western Sizzlin’ here.. Always dark to conceal the disrepair, water stained ceilings and generally dingy appearance. Having been to both, I vote for Swadleys and I don’t even really like BBQ! It rates next to last behind Mexican food. I think most people in this city walk around with blinders Nobody is willing to support anything new. It’s sad. You want Enid to be some kind of destination city but won’t support anything but Mexican food and breakfast restaurants. Shows the average age of the people living here. Mall has 4 stores and a theatre with the reputation for bed bugs. Roll with changes. Quit living in the 80’s.
Swadley’s Grand Opening 4-29-19. YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Check out their video on their FB page to see inside.