What Salt + Smoke does

Salt + Smoke is a privately held, founder-owned St. Louis-style barbecue restaurant operator founded in June 2014 by Tom Schmidt and Pitmaster Haley Riley. The company runs eight full-service BBQ restaurants across the St. Louis metropolitan area and Edwardsville, Illinois (Delmar, Hampton, St. Charles, Ballpark Village, Ellisville, South County, Kirkwood, and Edwardsville), with its headquarters on the Delmar Loop in University City. Its core product is wood-smoked BBQ executed through documented techniques — post oak for brisket (smoked ~14–18 hours) and pork shoulder, cherry wood for ribs, chicken, and salmon — complemented by a six-sauce house line, a gluten-free/allergen menu, kids menu, and a Mon–Fri happy hour. All meats are smoked fresh daily.

The business operates across four revenue channels: (1) dine-in, takeout, and delivery at the eight owned restaurants (ordering via Toasttab), (2) full-service catering for events of 5–500+ guests with packaged pricing of $18.99–$24.99 per person plus bulk BBQ by the pound, (3) nationwide shipping of BBQ products and merchandise via Goldbelly across the continental US, and (4) gift cards and corporate gifting programs. Catering is supported by 30+ preferred venue partnerships across the St. Louis region (e.g., Piper Palm House, Gateway Classic Events, Foundry Art Centre, Laumeier Sculpture Park) and is managed by a dedicated catering director. The company also runs the Bestie Loyalty Program (points-based, enrolled via phone number) and the Salt + Smoke Foundation, a non-profit supporting hospitality-industry workers.

Salt + Smoke serves individual consumers and families (dine-in/takeout/delivery), event hosts and corporate clients (catering for weddings, corporate functions, and private celebrations), and a long tail of nationwide mail-order customers via Goldbelly. Marketing is primarily organic — social media (Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter), a blog on BBQ culture and event planning, email capture via Toasttab, and review management on Yelp, The Knot, WeddingWire, and Google — supplemented by wedding marketplace listings that drive catering lead flow.

Name

Salt + Smoke

Legal name

Salt and Smoke BBQ

Website

https://saltandsmokebbq.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Salt + Smoke is a privately held St. Louis-style BBQ restaurant operator founded in 2014, running eight locations across the St. Louis metro and Illinois, with catering for 5–500+ guests, nationwide shipping via Goldbelly, and a loyalty program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

BBQ Restaurants

NAICS

Cafeterias, Grill Buffets, and Buffets (722514), Special Food Services (7223)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Sausages & Other Prepared Meat Products (2013)

akta.pro primary industry

BBQ & Smokehouse Fast Casual (THAFABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Refrigerated Meat & Seafood (Processed/Packaged) (CRADACAK), BBQ Sauce & Marinades Manufacturing (AFAKADAH)

Keywords

• BBQ restaurant
• Smoked meats
• BBQ catering
• St louis barbecue
• Event catering

Headquarters

HQ city

St Louis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Restaurant Dine-In and Takeout Sales: Core revenue from eight restaurant locations across the St. Louis metro area. Customers order at tables or online via Toasttab for takeout and delivery. Revenue is driven by walk-in traffic, waitlist/reservation conversions, and repeat visits through the Bestie Loyalty Program.
2. Catering Services: Full-service catering for groups of 5 to 500+ guests. Packages range from 1 meat + 1 side ($18.99/person) to 4 meats + 4 sides ($24.99/person). For weddings and large events, custom packages include staffing, bar service, delivery, and rentals. Online catering ordering handles groups under 20; custom inquiry form handles events of 20 or more. Bulk BBQ sold by the pound (brisket $24.99/lb, pork $18.99/lb, chicken $18.99/lb, ribs $24.99/slab).
3. Nationwide Shipping (Goldbelly): BBQ products, sauces, and merchandise shipped to any address in the continental United States via Goldbelly. Orders placed Monday–Wednesday ship the same week; Thursday–Sunday orders ship the following Monday. Local pickup also available at any restaurant location.
4. Gift Cards and Corporate Gifting: Restaurant gift cards sold in-store and online for use at any location. Corporate gifting program for client gifts nationwide, with custom packaging and nationwide delivery options for businesses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Salt + Smoke operates a chain of eight St. Louis-style BBQ restaurants serving dine-in, takeout, and delivery of smoked meats (brisket, ribs, pulled pork, chicken) prepared fresh daily over post oak and cherry wood, alongside a house-made sauce line and broad menu covering vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. The business also runs a full-service catering division for events of 5–500+ guests, nationwide shipping of BBQ products and merchandise via Goldbelly, and corporate gifting with custom packaging.

Product overview

Salt + Smoke is a St. Louis BBQ restaurant chain founded in 2014, operating eight locations across the St. Louis metropolitan area and Edwardsville, IL. The core product is full-service BBQ restaurant dining featuring award-winning smoked meats including oak-smoked brisket (smoked over post oak for 16 hours), St. Louis-style ribs (smoked with cherry wood), pulled pork, and cherry-smoked chicken. The company offers a unified product portfolio that includes: Restaurant Dining as the core experience; Online Ordering and Nationwide Shipping via Goldbelly for carryout, delivery, and shipped BBQ; Catering Services with customizable packages for events from 5 to 500 guests, including boxed lunches and corporate gifting; and Private Event Spaces at multiple locations. Supporting products include a Bestie Loyalty Program for rewards, Gift Cards, and a Gluten-Free & Allergen Menu. The company also operates Salt + Smoke Foundation, a non-profit supporting restaurant employees in need.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Restaurant Dining Full-service BBQ restaurant offering dine-in experiences at eight locations across St. Louis and Edwardsville, IL. Features award-winning smoked meats prepared daily over post oak and cherry wood, including brisket, St. Louis-style ribs, pulled pork, and cherry-smoked chicken, plus a full menu of appetizers, sandwiches, salads, sides, and desserts with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.
• Online Ordering (Carryout & Delivery) Online ordering platform for carryout and delivery via Toast Tab, enabling customers to order sandwiches, salads, meat combos, and full menu items for pickup or hand-delivery from any of the eight Salt + Smoke locations.
• BBQ Nationwide Shipping Shipping service delivering meats, sauces, and merchandise nationwide through Goldbelly. Orders Monday–Wednesday ship the same week; orders placed after Wednesday or on Thu–Sun ship the following Monday. Local pickup at any restaurant location is also available.
• Catering Services Full-service BBQ catering for events from 5 to 500+ guests, including weddings, corporate events, rehearsal dinners, birthday parties, and family reunions. Provides delivery, staff, bar service, and custom menu options across standard packages ($18.99–$24.99/person) and fully customized large-event quoting.
• Catering Menu Packages Standardized catering packages ranging from 1 Meat + 1 Side ($18.99/person) to 4 Meats + 4 Sides ($24.99/person), plus bulk BBQ by the pound/slab, appetizers, drinks, and desserts. Includes vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.
• Boxed Lunches Pre-packaged lunch options for office meetings, events, and remote catering. Boxed lunches include sandwiches with sides at $13.99–$16.99 per box, with options such as Pulled Pork, Cherry-smoked Chicken, Brisket, Falafel (vegan), Salmon, Chicken Caesar Wrap, and White Cheddar Cracker Mac.
• Corporate Gifting Corporate gifting program for sending Salt + Smoke BBQ, sauces, and merchandise to clients — for small or large groups, with local or nationwide delivery options and custom packaging.
• Gift Cards Restaurant gift cards (in-store dining) and shipping-program gift cards available online, suitable for birthdays, thank-yous, weddings, and casual gifts; usable at any Salt + Smoke restaurant location.
• Bestie Loyalty Program Points-based rewards program allowing customers to earn points on every purchase at Salt + Smoke, redeemable for free items, discounts, and rewards on future visits. Enrolled via phone number at any location or online.
• Private Event Spaces Rental spaces across multiple Salt + Smoke locations for private and semi-private events, including the Piglet Room (30), Bovine Room (60), Ballpark Village Patio (up to 130 seated / 200 standing), Chicken Coop (50), Upper Tier (75), Walnut Room (38), Bourbon Room (140), Manhattan Covered Patio (45/90), Rib Room (50), and T-Rav Room (40).
• Waitlist & Reservations Digital waitlist and reservation service enabling customers to join the queue virtually or reserve a table in advance at select Salt + Smoke locations (Hampton, Ellisville, South County, and Kirkwood).

Quantifiable outcome

• All meats are smoked fresh daily
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

32 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• 9th Street AbbeyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWedding venue in St. Louis, MO offering spectacular historic charm with romantic opulence. Salt + Smoke provides catering services for events held at this venue. Capacity varies by venue space.
• A.CASAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPrivate event space at 3723 S Kingshighway Blvd, St. Louis, MO. Designed for intimate gatherings — weddings, milestone celebrations, corporate entertainment, and community events — with turn-key amenities. Salt + Smoke provides catering services.
• Barnett on WashingtonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent venue at 3207 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO with a bright and inviting atmosphere suitable for weddings, corporate events, and celebrations. Salt + Smoke provides catering services.
• Boo Cat ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHistoric St. Louis Artists' Guild building at 812 Union Blvd with theater, ballroom, and Catacombs spaces. Capacity varies. Salt + Smoke provides catering services for events.
• Contemporary Art Museum (CAM) St. LouisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMuseum venue at 3750 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO with vibrant exhibitions and singular architectural space. Dynamic backdrop for celebrations. Salt + Smoke provides catering.
• Echo CreekminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWedding and event venue at 1805 W. Meyer Rd, Wentzville, MO with bridges, creeks, and established trees. Capacity up to 130 guests. Ideal for indoor/outdoor ceremonies and receptions. Salt + Smoke provides catering.
• Foundry Art CentreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent space at 520 N Main Center, St. Charles, MO along the Missouri River and Katy Trail. Housed in a former railroad car production facility. Capacity up to 400 seated, 300 with dance floor. Salt + Smoke provides catering.
• Gateway Classic EventscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor event venue at 1237 Central Park Dr, O'Fallon, IL with maximum capacity of 1,200 guests and 80,000 square feet Expo Center. Includes Lincoln Lounge (up to 200 guests), Cadillac Lounge, Conference Room, theater room, and museum showroom. Salt + Smoke is a preferred catering partner for large-scale events.
• Jefferson UndergroundminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRooftop party venue at 2400 S Jefferson Ave, St. Louis, MO overlooking historic St. Louis City. Capacity up to 250 guests. Features wet bar, catering facility, dance floor, grand stage, and stone fireplace. Salt + Smoke provides catering.
• Knotting HillsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent venue on 75 wooded acres at 1756 Moloney Dr, Pevely, MO. Multiple indoor and outdoor spaces plus on-site accommodations. Salt + Smoke provides catering.
• Lalumondiere MillminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent venue along the Big River at 4993 Old Byrnesville Rd, House Springs, MO. Multi-level patios, fish ponds, and flower gardens. Capacity up to 150 guests. Eclectic, nostalgic charm. Salt + Smoke provides catering.
• Laumeier Sculpture ParkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent venue at 12580 Rott Rd, Sappington, MO set among 105 acres and 70+ large-scale sculptures. Indoor and outdoor rental spaces. Capacity 50–500 guests. Salt + Smoke provides catering.
• Little Piney LodgeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWedding venue at 19 Little Piney Ln, Hermann, MO featured in England's Wedding Magazine. Refined yet relaxed atmosphere with pavilion and Fest Haus options. Capacity varies. Salt + Smoke provides catering.
• London Tea RoomminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent venue at 1900 Locust St, St. Louis, MO with three rooms rentable individually or together. Capacity up to 350 guests. Salt + Smoke provides catering.
• Mahler BallroomminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHistoric ballroom at 4915 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO in the Central West End. Maintained its historic charm with modern touches since 1907. Ideal for dream weddings, birthday parties, and corporate retreats. Salt + Smoke provides catering.
• Main Street AbbeyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent venue at 310 South Main Street, Columbia, IL with unique character and charm. Salt + Smoke provides catering for events.
• MajoretteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent venue at 7150 Manchester Road, St. Louis, MO with capacity over 350 guests. Salt + Smoke provides catering.
• Pine Hollow FarmminorGTM or Marketing PartnerModern farmhouse venue at 3993 State Rd W, Eureka, MO on 40 wooded acres. Capacity up to 300 guests. Versatile indoor and outdoor spaces. Salt + Smoke provides catering.
• Piper Palm HousecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHistoric conservatory at 4256 Magnolia Ave, St. Louis, MO in Tower Grove Park. Oldest standing greenhouse west of the Mississippi River, built in 1878 by architect George I. Barnett. Capacity 150–200 seated. Lush exotic botanicals, stained glass, soaring ceiling, and towering palm trees. Salt + Smoke is a preferred catering partner.
• Romaine ValleyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWedding venue at 1676 Romaine Creek Rd, Fenton, MO opening Fall 2025. Countryside charm meets modern elegance with timber-framed ceilings, stone fireplace, and state-of-the-art sound system. Salt + Smoke will provide catering.
• Quail Ridge LodgeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent venue at 24 Columbine Ln, Wentzville, MO. Capacity varies. Salt + Smoke provides catering.
• Soldiers Memorial Military MuseumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerState-of-the-art military museum at 1315 Chestnut St, St. Louis, MO honoring local service members, veterans, and families. Downtown St. Louis location. Salt + Smoke provides catering for events.
• Stupp CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent venue addition to Tower Grove Park at St. Louis, MO. Designed to mirror the park's famous pavilions. Capacity 80 seated. Popular for weddings and rehearsal dinners. Salt + Smoke provides catering.
• Thaxton SpeakeasyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHistoric Art Deco venue at 1009 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO built in 1928 and restored to its original splendor. Multi-level, intimate functions. Capacity up to 120 seated. Salt + Smoke provides catering.
• The FactoryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustrial-style performance and event venue at 17105 N Outer 40 Rd, Chesterfield, MO. First built-from-the-ground-up event venue in the Midwest in over 20 years. Salt + Smoke provides catering.
• The Lodge at Boulder LakeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRustic and elegant wedding venue at 59 Boulder Lk Mnr Dr, Troy, MO 63379 on a 13-acre lake. 9,000 square feet of event space. Capacity up to 370 guests. Salt + Smoke provides catering.
• The Missouri History MuseumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNationally accredited institution at 5700 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO in Forest Park. Focuses on local and regional history. Salt + Smoke provides catering for events.
• The WeingartenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWinery venue at 1780 East IL-15, Belleville, IL surrounded by forests, cornfields, and a lake. Picturesque outdoor ceremony and reception setting less than 20 miles from St. Louis. Salt + Smoke provides catering.
• Water's EdgeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBanquet center at 200 Salt Lick Rd, St Peters, MO 63376 on an 18-hole golf course with lake view. Contemporary features including multi-sided fireplace and spacious deck. Capacity up to 300 guests. Salt + Smoke provides catering.
• Wicked Pony RanchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRustic country-chic venue at 10058 Pillen Rd, Dittmer, MO 63023 on over 100 acres of Missouri countryside. Multiple indoor and outdoor spaces. Capacity 200 guests. Salt + Smoke provides catering.
• Wild CarrotminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRenovated 1915 theatre venue at 3901 Shaw Blvd, St. Louis, MO in the Shaw neighborhood. Industrial shell with retro and eclectic decor. Capacity up to 400 people for ceremonies and receptions. Salt + Smoke provides catering.
• GoldbellycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGoldbelly is a nationwide food shipping platform. Salt + Smoke partners with Goldbelly to ship BBQ products, sauces, and merchandise to customers anywhere in the continental US. This partnership extends Salt + Smoke's geographic reach far beyond its eight physical locations.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sugarfire Smokehouse: St. Louis BBQ group with multiple locations and a strong catering/banquet business. Operates a similar casual BBQ-plus-events model in the same metro area, with cross-over on smoked meats and signature sauces.
• Pappy's Smokehouse: St. Louis-based BBQ institution with multiple locations and a national reputation. Direct competitor in the same metro, serving the same St. Louis-style BBQ customer and competing for catering and dine-in occasions.
• Bogart's Smokehouse: St. Louis BBQ restaurant and catering operator. Competes head-to-head with Salt + Smoke for both dine-in and catering occasions within the same metro.
• Joe's Kansas City BBQ: Award-winning BBQ operator and Goldbelly partner. Comparable as a regional BBQ brand using Goldbelly to ship nationwide, with strong catering and mail-order channels.

Broad incumbents

• Sonny's BBQ: Established BBQ chain with 90+ locations across the Southeast. Competes in same casual BBQ category with catering and to-go; differing geography but directly comparable menu and channel mix.
• Dickey's Barbecue Pit: Nation's largest BBQ franchise with 500+ units. Comparable as a multi-channel BBQ brand with dine-in, takeout, catering, and shipping/retail products, though franchise-led and national in scale.
• Famous Dave's: Public multi-unit BBQ chain (formerly NASDAQ: DAVE) with dine-in, catering, and packaged retail products. Comparable across menu, catering, and CPG/SKU-adjacent strategy, though at materially larger scale.
• Mission BBQ: National BBQ chain with 100+ locations known for its American-military brand positioning. Comparable as a multi-unit BBQ concept pursuing catering, catering, and to-go, though larger and operating in multiple states.

Others

• Sullivan's Steakhouse: Specialty steakhouse group with a strong private-dining and group-events business. Comparable as a premium event-hosting competitor bidding for the same wedding and corporate event dollars in St. Louis.
• Maggiano's Little Italy: Full-service restaurant chain with a large catering and banquet operation. Comparable as a multi-unit brand scaling catering for weddings and corporate events of 50–500 guests, though outside BBQ.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/saltandsmokebbq
• Facebookfacebook.com/saltandsmokeHampton
• Instagraminstagram.com/saltandsmokebbq
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/salt-and-smoke

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

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 Salt + Smoke