After nearly half a century of serving slow-smoked favorites, Woody’s Bar-B-Q is entering a new chapter. Founders Woody Mills and Yolanda Mills-Mawman have sold the Jacksonville-based franchise system to longtime franchisee Jack Dunsmoor and his business partner Kelly Harris. The transition marks a milestone for one of Florida’s most enduring restaurant brands as it celebrates its 45th anniversary.
Founded in 1980, Woody’s Bar-B-Q grew from a single neighborhood eatery into a franchise with more than forty locations across the United States and Canada. Known for its homestyle barbecue and friendly hospitality, the brand has built a loyal following over the years. Mills-Mawman described the sale as bittersweet, expressing gratitude to the customers, employees, and franchise partners who helped shape Woody’s success. “Woody and I are extremely proud of what we’ve built,” she said. “The real secret behind it all has been Woody’s genuine love of people.”
Dunsmoor, who has operated a Woody’s franchise for more than a decade, said his focus will be on maintaining the culture and consistency that have long defined the brand. To ensure stability, the company’s vice president of operations, Jay Vail, will remain in his role. Vail, who joined the leadership team in 2016 after years with Cracker Barrel, is credited with strengthening operational standards across the system.
Under the new ownership, the company plans to blend tradition with fresh ideas. Among the first initiatives is an annual rib-eating contest scheduled for October 2025, designed to engage local communities and celebrate the brand’s roots. Dunsmoor and Harris also hinted at new menu innovations and franchise growth opportunities while reaffirming their commitment to the quality and hospitality that customers have come to expect.
For Mills and Mills-Mawman, the sale is both an ending and a continuation. After 45 years of leading the company, they leave behind not just a restaurant chain, but a community of franchisees and guests united by a shared love of barbecue. As the next generation of leadership takes the reins, Woody’s Bar-B-Q remains poised to carry its legacy forward—one plate of ribs at a time.