MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 04, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The ultimate jury of experts has cast their vote for best Bar-B-Que, bestowing the title of ‘SMOKED Champion’ upon Dave Anderson (Minneapolis), founder of Famous Dave’s of America, Inc. (NASDAQ:DAVE), along with long-time franchisee David Marks (Philadelphia), in Destination America’s hit TV series, SMOKED, culminating in the donation of $15,000 to charitable causes. To view video of the award-winning moment: famousdaves.com/smoked.
In each episode of SMOKED, a new Bar-B-Que competition series on the Destination America channel, two pitmasters with a personal history are pitted against each other in a BBQ battle to prove once and for all who’s the best and who’s gonna get smoked. In the season finale, which aired Wednesday, August 3, two of America’s most popular restaurant franchises, Famous Dave’s and Sonny’s BBQ, embarked on a quest to determine who would earn the title of ‘SMOKED Champion’ in a head-to-head competition for the prestigious title.
Three-time world barbecue champion Myron Mixon – the winningest man in barbecue – along with all-star judges Moe Cason and Dr. BBQ, guided the action and ultimately awarded the top honor of “SMOKED Champion” to Famous Dave’s, based on bar-b-queing challenges throughout the show.
As part of the season finale, the competitors were not only battling for the title of SMOKED Champion, but also to raise money for charitable causes, with the winner receiving $5000 to donate to their designated charity, and the loser donating an additional $5000 out of their own pocket to the winner’s charity.
As the SMOKED Champion, Famous Dave’s directed both its $5000 award and the out-of-pocket $5000 from Sonny’s to the non-profit, Operation BBQ Relief. In a surprise twist, the team from Famous Dave’s decided to donate an additional $5000 to Sonny’s charity of choice, Random Acts of BBQ, so that everyone could win. In total, over $15,000 was donated to charitable causes.
Newly crowned SMOKED Champion, Famous Dave Anderson said, “In the spirit of bettering our communities, Famous Dave’s is proud to donate the award money to Operation BBQ Relief, as well as donate to Sonny’s charity of choice, Random Acts of BBQ. Being a contestant on SMOKED was an incredible experience, and it was an honor to appear alongside our impressive competitors. I want to thank our ‘Famous’ franchisee and championship pitmaster, David Marks, for the invaluable role he played as part of the Famous Dave’s team, as well as thank the prestigious panel of judges.”
“We are thrilled (but not surprised!) by our Founder’s continued legacy of preparing award-winning bar-b-que,” said Alfredo Martel, Chief Marketing Officer. “We are so proud of how Famous Dave’s was able to turn this bar-b-que win into a community win.”
About “SMOKED”
Rivalries abound in the cutthroat world of competition BBQ, where reputation and respect ride on one perfectly glazed rib or one lip-smacking bite of brisket. Whether friendly foes or full-on nemeses, the one thing every pitmaster can agree on: nothing settles the score like a cook off! Hosted by BBQ veteran and fan favorite Myron Mixon, things get juicy with Destination America’s all-new series SMOKED. Each competition is broken down into three rounds: The Long Cook starts with eight hours on the clock and a race to cook a perfect cut of meat such as pork shoulder, ribs, or brisket. While the smoker does its job, the Kingsford One Bite Challenge gives the pitmasters 30 minutes to create the ultimate grilled bite prepared over Kingsford charcoal. Finally, the Big Grill-Off sends the pitmasters off to the races with a challenge unique to each rivalry such as crafting an entire meal on the grill or creating multiple dishes using the same protein. Along the way, judges name a winner of each round and whoever comes out ahead wins the glory, a cash prize, and a shot at the finale.
About Famous Dave’s of America, Inc.
Famous Dave’s of America, Inc. (NASDAQ:DAVE) develops, owns, operates and franchises Bar-B-Que restaurants. As of today, the company owns 37 restaurants and franchises an additional 141 restaurants in 32 states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Canada and the United Arab Emirates. Its menu features award-winning barbecued and grilled meats, a selection of salads, sandwiches, side items and made-from-scratch desserts. For more information, visit famousdaves.com, facebook.com/famousdaves, or follow on Twitter @Famous_Daves.
About Destination America
Destination America is the only network to celebrate the people, places, and stories of the United States. The inclusive network targeting Adults 25-54 is available in nearly 60 million homes, emblazoning television screens with the grit and tenacity, honesty and work ethic, humor and adventurousness that characterize our nation. Destination America features travel, food, adventure, home, and natural history, with original series like BBQ Pitmasters; A Haunting; Mountain Monsters; Buying Alaska; Buying the Bayou; and Railroad Alaska. For more information, please visit DestinationAmerica.com, facebook.com/DestinationAmerica, or twitter.com/DestAmerica. Destination America is part of Discovery Communications, the world’s #1 pay-tv programmer reaching nearly 3 billion cumulative subscribers in 220 countries and territories.
Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical, including but not limited to statements regarding the expected financial impact of restaurant closures and lease terminations, the timing of our restaurant openings and the timing or success of our expansion plans, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, which may cause the company's actual results to differ materially from expected results. Although Famous Dave's of America, Inc. believes the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectation will be attained. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Famous Dave's expectation include financial performance, restaurant industry conditions, execution of restaurant development and construction programs, franchisee performance, changes in local or national economic conditions, availability of financing, governmental approvals and other risks detailed from time to time in the company's SEC reports.