What Windy City Smokeout does

Windy City Smokeout is an annual multi-day country music and BBQ festival held in Chicago, Illinois, outside the United Center. Founded in 2013 and operated as a brand and event under Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, a privately-held Chicago hospitality corporation, the festival runs a five-day format (July 8-12 in 2026) featuring national touring country music artists across multiple daily lineups, on-site BBQ vendors offering smoked meats and sides, sponsor activations, and tiered festival experiences including general admission and a premium 'Beyond the Pit' VIP offering. Its product portfolio comprises festival wristband admissions (sold through Frontgate Tickets), group hospitality packages for corporate and social groups, official branded merchandise, and the Mobile Club SMS notification system for direct fan engagement.

The festival generates revenue from four streams: wristband/ticket sales, group hospitality packages, merchandise, and sponsor partnerships across beverage, food, hospitality, retail, financial services, and lifestyle categories. Its 2026 sponsor roster comprises 50+ brands including Tito's Vodka, Busch Light and Kona (Anheuser-Busch), Crown Royal, Dunkin', Chicago Cubs, Walgreens, and Choose Chicago. Customer acquisition is driven by lineup-announcement-driven email and SMS marketing, social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter), sponsor co-marketing, and the Frontgate Tickets platform. The target customer is country music and BBQ enthusiasts — adults and young professionals seeking a premium outdoor festival experience in an urban Midwestern setting.

The business is privately held under Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants and is not an independent fund-raising entity; no venture capital, private equity, or public market activity is associated with the brand. Strategic positioning is anchored by the parent company's hospitality operating expertise, an expanding multi-market brand family (with sister event Lone Star Smokeout launching in Arlington, TX in 2027), and the broader secular tailwind for country music and culinary festival experiences in major U.S. cities.

Name

Windy City Smokeout

Legal name

Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants

Website

https://windycitysmokeout.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Windy City Smokeout is an annual five-day country music and BBQ festival held outside Chicago's United Center, produced by Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants. It sells wristband admissions, group hospitality packages, merchandise, and sponsorships to country music fans and corporate groups.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Music & Food Festival Events

NAICS

Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (722410)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

BBQ & Smokehouse Fast Casual (THAFABAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Live Music Bars & Venues (CRANACAH)

Keywords

• Country music festival
• BBQ festival events
• Live music events
• Outdoor concert series
• Culinary festival experiences

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Ticket/Wristband Sales: Revenue generated from the sale of wristbands (festival entry passes) for the multi-day event (July 8-12, 2026). Sold through Frontgate Tickets platform.
2. Group Hospitality Packages: Revenue from dedicated group hospitality offerings including private viewing areas, catering, and premium seating arrangements for larger parties and corporate groups.
3. Merchandise Sales: Sales of branded merchandise including apparel and memorabilia through the festival's merchandise store.
4. Sponsor Partnerships: Revenue from corporate sponsors across beverage, food, hospitality, and lifestyle categories in exchange for branding exposure, activations, and sampling opportunities at the festival.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Windy City Smokeout is an annual five-day country music and BBQ festival held outside the United Center in Chicago, IL (July 8-12, 2026). The festival sells admission wristbands, hosts live country music performances by nationally recognized artists across multiple stages, offers on-site BBQ food from smoked meat vendors, and provides group hospitality packages for parties and corporate events, alongside branded merchandise sales and sponsor activations.

Product overview

Windy City Smokeout is a multi-day country music and BBQ festival held annually in Chicago, Illinois. The event runs July 8-12, 2026, outside the United Center. The product portfolio consists of festival admission wristbands, general admission and VIP festival experiences, on-site BBQ food offerings, group hospitality packages, and official branded merchandise. The festival features multiple music stages with rotating lineups across five days. Additional services include a Mobile Club SMS notification system and an FAQ resource. The festival is organized by Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Lone Star Smokeout: A sister country music and BBQ festival event planned for Arlington, TX in 2027.

Products and services

• Festival Wristbands (Admission) Festival entry wristbands providing admission to the five-day country music and BBQ festival held outside the United Center in Chicago; sold through Frontgate Tickets.
• Festival Experiences (General Admission & Beyond the Pit VIP) Curated on-site festival experiences including general festival areas and the Beyond the Pit VIP experience offering premium access for festival attendees.
• Country Music Lineup Programming Multi-day country music concert programming featuring nationally recognized touring artists performing across multiple stages over the five-day festival.
• BBQ Food Offerings On-site BBQ food offerings featuring smoked meats including ribs, sausage, and chicken served by festival vendors to attendees.
• Group Hospitality Packages Group ticket packages and hospitality services for parties and corporate groups attending the festival, including private viewing areas, catering, and premium seating arrangements.
• Official Branded Merchandise Official Windy City Smokeout branded merchandise including apparel and accessories sold through the festival's online merchandise store.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

48 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Flecha AzulminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTequila brand sponsor for the 2026 festival, providing branding exposure and sampling opportunities. Part of the beverage sponsor category.
• Busch LightminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeer sponsor providing Anheuser-Busch products for the festival. Visible logo placement on the 2026 sponsor page.
• SurfsideminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeverage brand sponsor for the 2026 festival with logo presence on sponsor page.
• OpenTableminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRestaurant reservation platform sponsor connecting festival-goers with Chicago dining options.
• Tito's VodkaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpirits sponsor providing Tito's Vodka products for the festival. Listed as a prominent sponsor with logo placement.
• Travel TexasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTexas tourism sponsor promoting travel to Texas, potentially cross-promoting with Lone Star Smokeout event.
• Chicago CubsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor Chicago sports team sponsor providing regional brand association and cross-promotion opportunities.
• Crown RoyalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCanadian whisky brand sponsor for the 2026 festival with logo placement on sponsor page.
• Dunkin'minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoffee and donut chain sponsor providing beverage offerings and brand visibility at the festival.
• WalgreensminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRetail pharmacy sponsor with logo placement on the 2026 sponsor page.
• King's HawaiianminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHawaiian bread and roll brand sponsor, potentially providing food items for the festival.
• SenoritaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeverage brand sponsor for the 2026 festival with logo presence.
• ABTminorGTM or Marketing PartnerElectronics retailer sponsor with logo placement on the sponsor page.
• Hotel ChicagominorGTM or Marketing PartnerDowntown Chicago hotel sponsor offering accommodation options for out-of-town festival attendees.
• OvertimeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCocktail brand sponsor providing ready-to-drink beverages at the festival.
• Sunbelt RentalsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEquipment rental company providing operational support for festival infrastructure.
• WintrustminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChicago-based banking and financial services sponsor.
• Country FinancialminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInsurance and financial services sponsor with logo placement.
• MamitasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeverage brand sponsor for the 2026 festival.
• St. JamesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIced tea brand sponsor with logo presence on sponsor page.
• RosalunaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMezcal brand sponsor providing spirits for the festival.
• La Vieille FermeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFrench wine sponsor with logo placement on sponsor page.
• Aviation GinminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGin brand sponsor providing spirits for festival activations.
• BacardiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRum brand sponsor providing Bacardi products for the festival.
• Q MixersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium mixer brand sponsor providing cocktail mixers for spirits partners.
• RitzminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCracker brand sponsor with logo placement on sponsor page.
• Dude WipesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMoist wipe brand sponsor providing practical products for festival attendees.
• St-GermainminorGTM or Marketing PartnerElderflower liqueur brand sponsor with logo presence.
• TecovasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWestern boots and apparel brand sponsor, fitting the country music festival aesthetic.
• Ice MountainminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpring water brand sponsor providing water products for the festival.
• Four LokominorGTM or Marketing PartnerCaffeinated alcoholic beverage sponsor for the festival.
• Giuliana ProseccominorGTM or Marketing PartnerItalian prosecco sponsor providing sparkling wine for the festival.
• Spa DermaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSkincare brand sponsor with logo placement on sponsor page.
• KonaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeer brand sponsor under Anheuser-Busch providing products at the festival.
• Goose IslandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChicago craft beer brand sponsor providing local beer options at the festival.
• Choose ChicagominorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Chicago tourism organization promoting the festival to visitors.
• BaileysminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIrish cream liqueur sponsor providing Baileys products for the festival.
• GarrettminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGarrett Popcorn Chicago - iconic Chicago popcorn brand sponsor.
• ElectrolitminorGTM or Marketing PartnerElectrolyte drink sponsor providing hydration products.
• Farmer's FridgeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChicago-based healthy food company sponsor.
• Kennesaw JuiceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJuice brand sponsor with logo placement on sponsor page.
• Sheer AgaveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAgave nectar brand sponsor, potentially supporting cocktail offerings.
• Yellow Rose by Kendra ScottminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJewelry brand partnership under Kendra Scott, fitting the country music aesthetic.
• ChompsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSnack meat brand sponsor providing portable protein options.
• GrazaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOlive oil brand sponsor with logo presence.
• Visit ArlingtonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerArlington, TX tourism organization, potentially cross-promoting with Lone Star Smokeout.
• Lone Star SmokeoutcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSibling country music and BBQ festival event in Arlington, TX. Stay tuned for 2027 dates. Related event under the same brand family, sharing programming and sponsor partnerships.
• Lettuce Entertain You RestaurantscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company and producer of Windy City Smokeout. Chicago-based restaurant and entertainment group operating multiple acclaimed restaurants and entertainment concepts. Copyright 2026 Windy City Smokeout, A Lettuce Entertain You Restaurant.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Lone Star Smokeout: Direct sibling event and sister festival under Windy City Smokeout's brand family, launching in Arlington, TX in 2027. Operates the same country music and BBQ festival format in a different market, sharing programming and sponsor relationships.
• Hangout Music Festival: Beachfront music festival in Gulf Shores, AL featuring pop, country, and rock acts. Comparable in multi-day outdoor format, sponsor activations, VIP hospitality, and target demographic of young adults seeking festival experiences.
• Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival: Multi-day music and camping festival held on a farm in Manchester, TN. Comparable in format, scale, and multi-genre/country-leaning programming, with a similar sponsor activation and tier-based ticketing model.
• Faster Horses Festival: Country music camping festival in Brooklyn, MI. Comparable as a multi-day country-focused festival with major talent, camping, and barbecue-adjacent experience similar to Windy City Smokeout's offerings.
• Stagecoach Festival: Premier country music festival held annually in Indio, CA at the Empire Polo Club. Direct competitor for headline country talent and audience share, with a similar multi-day outdoor format and major brand sponsorships.
• Austin City Limits Music Festival: Major two-weekend music festival in Austin, TX produced by Live Nation. Comparable in scale, multi-genre talent lineup, sponsor ecosystem, and metropolitan outdoor festival format targeting a similar young adult demographic.
• Tortuga Music Festival: Country and rock beachfront music festival in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Comparable in outdoor multi-day format, country genre focus, and similar sponsor ecosystem across beverage and lifestyle brands.
• Country Thunder Music Festivals: Multi-city country music festival series operating in Arizona, Wisconsin, Florida, and Saskatchewan. Directly comparable as a country-focused multi-day festival with camping, top-tier talent, and sponsor activations targeting the same audience demographic.

Emerging players

• Pilgrimage Music Festival: Two-day music and cultural festival in Franklin, TN with a country/Americana lean. Comparable in format and genre focus, though smaller in scale and operating in a different regional market.

Regional players

• Lollapalooza Chicago: Major multi-day music festival held in Chicago's Grant Park annually. Comparable as a Chicago-based outdoor music festival competing for the same regional audience and summer festival spend, though genre-broad rather than country-specific.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WCSmokeout
• Facebookfacebook.com/WindyCitySmokeout
• Instagraminstagram.com/windycitysmokeout
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/windy-city-smokeout

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Windy City Smokeout