Jim ‘N Nick’s Community Bar-B-Q opened its 39th location Tuesday, Dec. 13 in Foley. Local officials, the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and eager customers watched as the ribbon was cut with a blow torch.

Jim ‘N Nick’s got its start in Birmingham in 1985 and has slowly expanded across the southeast with locations in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. They are known for slow hickory smoked meats like brisket, pork, chicken and turkey, scratch-made trimmings and cheese biscuits.

The Foley location is the first Jim ‘N Nick’s to open south of Montgomery. President Brian Lyman said the growth of Baldwin County is what attracted the company to the area.

“I pay attention to all the news outlets in terms of growth. When I look at the entire state of Alabama, Baldwin County, it is not lost on anybody, is the fastest growing county in the entire state. We made it a priority to get down here to Foley. It was a short putt to know this was the right move for us,” Lyman said.

Community is in their name and Jim ‘N Nick’s staff waited no time to become a part of the community. During their friends and family soft opening, a fundraiser was held for the South Baldwin Chamber Foundation. A check for $2,500 was presented to Kylee Raulerson, South Baldwin Chamber Foundation executive director during the ribbon-cutting event.

“Thanks to community partners like Jim ’N Nick’s, we can continue our work in 13 schools throughout our community. We look forward to an ongoing relationship with this welcome addition to Foley’s restaurant scene,” Raulerson said.

Lyman said he has been enjoying the food scene in Foley during his time here and he feels Jim ‘N Nick’s scratch cooking will fit right in.

“I think people will come to appreciate the love that has been put into what we call some honest food. It is honest from the standpoint of the integrity that it is made with pride and passion. I feel confident that hopefully everybody is going to recognize the effort we put into that food to make it special,” Lyman said.

The Foley location is the debut of the brand’s new quick-casual plus model. Upon entering, customers order at a counter and the food is brought to their table inside or on the covered outdoor patio. Team members are stationed throughout the dining room to tend to guests’ needs. The location also features a drive-thru for hungry customers on the go and a full-service bar with the south Alabama staple bushwhackers.

While the brand has been growing “low and slow” with 39 locations in 38 years, they are planning to open eight new locations in 2023 including a Pensacola location.

To learn more about Jim ‘N Nick’s Community Bar-B-Q and the new Foley location, visit www.jimnnicks.com.