Danyele and Tommy Barnes knew the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s in Oviedo, Florida, long before they owned it. The location opened in 2001, and the Barneses became regular customers after moving to the area. Over time, they became friends with the owners, and after Tommy retired from the fire department, the couple was offered the opportunity to become partners in the existing restaurant.
“We spent so much time here through all three of the owners, and we just became really close with the community,” Tommy said. “Every time we ate at this Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, it was always consistent — clean, good food, good environment, good people.”
They later bought out the remaining ownership interest and became the sole owners. Today, their work at the restaurant has earned them the Operational Excellence Award at a recent conference hosted by FSC Franchise Co., which operates the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s brand.
Tommy and Danyele had both spent years serving their community before becoming restaurant owners. Tommy retired after 25 years with the fire department, and Danyele spent 23 years in nursing. Running a restaurant was new to both of them, and they soon realized how much time it would take. They remain hands-on, splitting shifts when they can and working together when needed.
“It’s very challenging but rewarding, and the payoff is meeting so many people and working within the community,” Tommy said. “We’ve got to be hands-on for it to be successful. I don’t think we sacrificed anything. I think we gained from it all.”
The Barneses have also focused on keeping good employees. Tommy said many team members stay with the restaurant for long periods, including employees who continue working there after finishing school.
“We maintain a staff that’s here for long periods of time,” Tommy said. “We really emphasize family and friends gathering at our location. When we have a guest come in, we want them to be greeted, and when they leave, we want them to feel like we are friends.”
The couple also learns from other Beef ‘O’ Brady’s owners. Networking at conferences and talking with other franchisees has given them ideas they can bring back to Oviedo.
The Barneses faced one of their biggest challenges almost immediately after taking full ownership. They had already been partners in the restaurant when they moved toward buying out the other ownership interest. Just 17 days after they took full ownership, COVID-19 shutdowns began.
The restaurant relied heavily on takeout, with management and ownership handling much of the day-to-day work. The Barneses also worked to retain their employees during the disruption.
“We maintained all our employees through different ways,” Tommy said. “Our to-go [business] was heavy, and that was the only way to do it.”
Regulars kept ordering takeout, and some brought chairs and cornhole and gathered nearby after picking up their food. As restrictions eased, business gradually returned.
“Every day and every week, things were getting better and better until everything opened back up,” Danyele said. “There were still some people who were hesitant, but it just took time. With the concern of the unknown, it worked itself out.”
Tommy and Danyele did not apply for the Operational Excellence Award. They were nominated after the brand visited the restaurant and reviewed its performance, including improvements made over the previous year and the consistency of its operations. The couple believes part of their success comes from being willing to learn from other owners rather than assuming they have all the answers.
The support of the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s franchise system has also been important to them.
“I would highly recommend Beef ‘O’ Brady’s to anyone considering the franchise,” Tommy said. “The support we get, the marketing and the consistency of the menu make it worth it.”
Tommy and Danyele see restaurant ownership as another way to serve the community. After careers in firefighting and nursing, they now do that through the restaurant, whether it is donating food, volunteering or simply giving people a place to spend time together.
“We’ve always been service-oriented people, helping people, being there for people,” Tommy said. “I think that is what has continued to allow us to grow in that manner.”
The couple is also considering ways to add more space to the restaurant, possibly through an outdoor patio or covered addition that could accommodate more guests, families and community activities.
The award recognizes the work Tommy and Danyele put into the restaurant every day. They stay involved, support their employees and work to give guests the same experience that made them Beef ‘O’ Brady’s regulars years ago.
To find out more information on costs to buy Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, please visit https://1851franchise.com/beefobradys.
Beef 'O' Brady's
SPONSORED
Tommy and Danyele Barnes, owners of the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s in Oviedo, Florida, have built a strong operation around consistency, long-term employees and close ties to their community.
Danyele and Tommy Barnes knew the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s in Oviedo, Florida, long before they owned it. The location opened in 2001, and the Barneses became regular customers after moving to the area. Over time, they became friends with the owners, and after Tommy retired from the fire department, the couple was offered the opportunity to become partners in the existing restaurant.
“We spent so much time here through all three of the owners, and we just became really close with the community,” Tommy said. “Every time we ate at this Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, it was always consistent — clean, good food, good environment, good people.”
They later bought out the remaining ownership interest and became the sole owners. Today, their work at the restaurant has earned them the Operational Excellence Award at a recent conference hosted by FSC Franchise Co., which operates the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s brand.
Tommy and Danyele had both spent years serving their community before becoming restaurant owners. Tommy retired after 25 years with the fire department, and Danyele spent 23 years in nursing. Running a restaurant was new to both of them, and they soon realized how much time it would take. They remain hands-on, splitting shifts when they can and working together when needed.
“It’s very challenging but rewarding, and the payoff is meeting so many people and working within the community,” Tommy said. “We’ve got to be hands-on for it to be successful. I don’t think we sacrificed anything. I think we gained from it all.”
The Barneses have also focused on keeping good employees. Tommy said many team members stay with the restaurant for long periods, including employees who continue working there after finishing school.
“We maintain a staff that’s here for long periods of time,” Tommy said. “We really emphasize family and friends gathering at our location. When we have a guest come in, we want them to be greeted, and when they leave, we want them to feel like we are friends.”
The couple also learns from other Beef ‘O’ Brady’s owners. Networking at conferences and talking with other franchisees has given them ideas they can bring back to Oviedo.
The Barneses faced one of their biggest challenges almost immediately after taking full ownership. They had already been partners in the restaurant when they moved toward buying out the other ownership interest. Just 17 days after they took full ownership, COVID-19 shutdowns began.
The restaurant relied heavily on takeout, with management and ownership handling much of the day-to-day work. The Barneses also worked to retain their employees during the disruption.
“We maintained all our employees through different ways,” Tommy said. “Our to-go [business] was heavy, and that was the only way to do it.”
Regulars kept ordering takeout, and some brought chairs and cornhole and gathered nearby after picking up their food. As restrictions eased, business gradually returned.
“Every day and every week, things were getting better and better until everything opened back up,” Danyele said. “There were still some people who were hesitant, but it just took time. With the concern of the unknown, it worked itself out.”
Tommy and Danyele did not apply for the Operational Excellence Award. They were nominated after the brand visited the restaurant and reviewed its performance, including improvements made over the previous year and the consistency of its operations. The couple believes part of their success comes from being willing to learn from other owners rather than assuming they have all the answers.
The support of the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s franchise system has also been important to them.
“I would highly recommend Beef ‘O’ Brady’s to anyone considering the franchise,” Tommy said. “The support we get, the marketing and the consistency of the menu make it worth it.”
Tommy and Danyele see restaurant ownership as another way to serve the community. After careers in firefighting and nursing, they now do that through the restaurant, whether it is donating food, volunteering or simply giving people a place to spend time together.
“We’ve always been service-oriented people, helping people, being there for people,” Tommy said. “I think that is what has continued to allow us to grow in that manner.”
The couple is also considering ways to add more space to the restaurant, possibly through an outdoor patio or covered addition that could accommodate more guests, families and community activities.
The award recognizes the work Tommy and Danyele put into the restaurant every day. They stay involved, support their employees and work to give guests the same experience that made them Beef ‘O’ Brady’s regulars years ago.
To find out more information on costs to buy Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, please visit https://1851franchise.com/beefobradys.
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