ANDERSON, Ind.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 16, 2003--It wasn't merely the fact that America loves barbecue that prompted Billy Penny to base a Bar-B-Q concession equipment manufacturing plant in least probable, Anderson, Indiana.

In fact, he wasn't aware that in 1999 alone, Americans barbecued some three billion times, according to the Barbecue Industry Association. Billy and his wife Kathy, ingeniously fired up their smoker as a literal means of survival after the engineer's job was eliminated.

Today, Southern Yankee Bar-B-Q® -- has evolved from a roadside concession to a restaurant to an equipment manufacturing plant -- with more than 20 employees in a 24,000 square foot facility. As manufacturers of rotisserie pit barbecue smokers and barbecue concession trailers, Southern Yankee Bar-B-Q has ignited a low investment, non-franchise revenue source for others whose jobs have gone up in smoke.

The Pennys were left with no viable means of livelihood in a pit-stop town whose claim to fame is its overflow traffic from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Armed with the emotionally gripping slogan "Eat here or we'll both starve" the couple set up shop in June 2000 on a one-acre lot on a back road in the heart of Middle America. From their mobile barbecue shack the native Texans prepared Texas beef brisket and ribs that scented the air, wetting the appetites of passing motorists. The festive gathering caught on like wildfire.

With a healthy following of barbecue aficionados, Billy & Kathy Penny opened Southern Yankee Bar-B-Q Restaurant within 3 months of
roadside merchandising.

By Fall of 2000 Billy Penny was consulting with engineers, design experts and a patent attorney to contract and protect the design of what's become the only Bar-B-Q Log Cabin® trailer in the world.

Southern Yankee Bar-B-Q stocks no inventory, and all smokers and concession trailers are built per order. From church and fraternal organizations, to retirees, to airline pilots who were laid off after 9-11 -- Southern Yankee Bar-B-Q has shipped smokers as far away as Hawaii, Jamaica, the West Indies, and the Caribbean.

"For an investment of less than $30,000 you get a turnkey business that's ready to go the next day," states Penny.

AS SEEN IN USA TODAY! www.sybbq.com. 765-622-7961.

For more info and photos: The Write Publicist & Co. 770.717.7020.

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Contact:

     The Write Publicist & Co.
     Regina Lynch-Hudson, 770/717-7020