Dayton – OinkADoodleMoo Barbecue’s whimsical name and logo reflects the Dayton-based restaurant’s objective to serve authentic barbecue in a fast casual environment. The locally owned and family operated chain is stirring with activity in 2017, announcing the plans of two new locations, a partnership with DoorDash food delivery service, plans for a food truck and the roll-out of their new digital loyalty program powered by FiveStars, the national leader in restaurant loyalty programs.

Founded in 2009 when it debuted as a food trailer and then served out of a window at J.D.’s Old Fashioned Frozen Custard in Englewood, OinkADoodleMoo is flourishing with a growth strategy implemented by restaurant industry veteran Steven Meyer, who joined the establishment’s two co-founders and is now the sole operator.

Meyer’s first move was to open a production kitchen and restaurant in Clayton at 8383 N. Main St. OinkADoodleMoo expanded to 20 seats at its restaurant in the Key Bank Tower lobby across from the Schuster Center in downtown Dayton. The chain arrived in downtown Miamisburg at 40 N. Main St. in 2016 with a 40-seat dine-in, carry-out and delivery restaurant, and Meyer is preparing to open this fall in Kettering at 912 E. Dorothy Lane (in a building previously occupied by Dayton Beer Company) and a new space at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Area A near the Main Exchange. OinkADoodleMoo already operated a food trailer at Wright-Patterson and received a five-year contract award for the new location.

Catering represents a growing percentage of OinkADoodleMoo’s revenues; and restaurant specials like Medical Mondays (when health care professionals receive a 20 percent discount), Kids Eat Free Tuesdays and the Rib Special every Wednesday and Sunday, generate interest and traffic; yet Meyer attributes the chain’s growth to smoking high quality meats, using the finest ingredients available for their homemade sides, and providing fast, friendly service in a family environment.

“Barbecue is definitely a niche, and we are proud that we are locally owned and operated, and focused on growing in the region where we are from,” said Meyer, who lives in Miamisburg. His children work at the restaurant and graduated from Miamisburg High School. “We are known for our delicious barbecue pork, chicken and beef – as the OinkADoodleMoo name suggests – but what turns first-time customers into loyal regulars is the friendly customer service that accompanies the quality of the food. That is what makes a family-operated restaurant so inviting.”

OinkADoodleMoo features award-winning barbecue that is slow-smoked in house over an Applewood fire. The Pulled Pork, Pulled Chicken, Beef Brisket and Brisket Tip “SAMMICHES” are served on a sweet and buttery brioche bun. The St. Louis-style ribs are dry rubbed with a blend of fresh spices, smoked for up to five hours and finished with smoky sweet sauce, which is available in bottles at the restaurants. OinkADoodleMoo’s sauces and sides (including green beans, brisket baked beans, collard greens, slaw, mac and cheese, corn pudding and the signature roasted potatoes) are homemade from original recipes.

Meyer developed a passion for the restaurant business at 15, when he was hired to wash dishes at Skyline Chili in 1979. He worked his way to general manager of the chain’s busiest location, and when he was 26, Meyer pounced on an opportunity to become one of the first franchisees of Penn Station East Coast Subs. He opened three in the Dayton market, including the first free-standing Penn Station on Kingsridge Drive by the Dayton Mall, and three more in Cincinnati. Meyer’s path led to a role as managing partner of Longhorn Steakhouse, where he helped launch the Beavercreek location in 1998; and Cici’s Pizza, for which he served as area developer and operating partner before selling his interests.

OinkADoodleMoo intrigued Meyer because of the whimsical name coupled with the delectable menu items. When the original partners decided to move on to other ventures, he eagerly forged forward to introduce his vision for building a memorably good barbecue chain for the Dayton region.

To expand the OinkADoodleMoo brand, Meyer is not only opening the Kettering and Wright-Patterson locations, but he is also planning to acquire a food truck this winter and appear at events in 2018. OinkADoodleMoo also recently announced a partnership with DoorDash, the restaurant delivery service that debuted in Dayton this year, and FiveStars, a digital loyalty program that rewards and engages loyal customers.

“Quality with the menu items and customer service is vital to our continued success and growth, so we are focusing on expanding our presence in the Dayton market through our restaurants, our catering services and the addition of a food truck,” Meyer said. “All of our production is done in our kitchen in Clayton, so there is the same quality of food in every location. And you will be greeted with a smile, a friendly hello, and feel welcomed just like you would at your family dinner table. Barbecue is synonymous with family, and those two elements define the experience we strive to provide our guests at OinkADoodleMoo.”