Major fried chicken franchise Genesis BBQ has expanded into its 33rd U.S. state with the opening of a new store in South Carolina.
This latest expansion highlights the company’s ongoing growth across the southeastern United States, as part of a broader initiative to establish a presence in all 50 states.
Two BBQ stores have opened in South Carolina: one in Indian Land and another in Greenville. The Indian Land location features a 39.66-square-meter restaurant with 12 seats and is strategically situated near the border between North and South Carolina to attract customers from both states.
The Greenville location is a takeout-only store, located near Greenville Downtown Airport and Bob Jones University, an area characterized by heavy foot traffic.
BBQ selected South Carolina for its new locations due to the stable economy and strong population base. The state's population reached 5.47 million last year, marking an increase of 90,000 from the previous year, which is the 10th-highest growth rate among U.S. states in 2024. The average resident is in their 40s, and the median household income exceeds $60,000, conditions which the company views as favorable for sustainable consumption.
The company referenced the International Franchise Association’s 2024 Franchising Economic Outlook study, which anticipates South Carolina will experience the fifth-highest franchise growth in the U.S. this year. The report predicts 1,205 new franchise stores, the creation of 215,000 new jobs, and a total economic output of $19.5 billion.
Beginning with its first U.S. location in New York City, BBQ has expanded its network to New Jersey, Texas, and California. Last year, the company introduced new outlets in Tennessee, Nebraska, Arkansas, and Indiana, with additional expansions this year in Utah, Oregon, and South Carolina.
“South Carolina showed clear signs of franchise industry growth and has become a hub for our market expansion across the southeastern United States,” stated a BBQ official.