Episode 35: Finding Your Niche — How Burnt BBQ N' Tacos Built Catering Through Differentiation

In this episode of Barbecue Catering Smarts, Michael Attias welcomes Tim Halls, co-founder of Burnt BBQ N' Tacos.

Tim shares the unconventional journey that led him from working in the ambulance industry and attending culinary school to building one of the most unique BBQ concepts in Texas—blending traditional barbecue, tacos, and Venezuelan-inspired flavors into a catering-driven business model.

With a restaurant that's only 24 seats but generates a significant percentage of revenue through catering, Tim breaks down how relationship-building, word-of-mouth marketing, ezCater, and strategic differentiation have fueled Burnt BBQ N' Tacos' growth.

Michael and Tim also dive into:

• Why finding a niche matters in crowded BBQ markets
• Using catering as both a revenue stream and a marketing tool
• Turning first-time catering customers into repeat clients
• The power of food sampling to drive sales
• Building relationships with corporate accounts and construction companies
• Why operators need systems, follow-up, and less friction in their marketing
• How Venezuelan-inspired menu items helped create a true point of differentiation

This episode is packed with practical insights for BBQ operators looking to stand out, grow catering revenue, and build long-term customer relationships in competitive markets.

Barbecue Catering Smarts is sponsored by CaterZen Catering Software.