The Franklins BBQ logo represents the warmth and coziness felt in every dish. It evokes associations with aromatic smoke from the smoker and flavors that attract barbecue lovers. The restaurant appeared with the idea of a small establishment where the main values were quality, tradition, and dedication.
Franklins BBQ: Brand overview
Franklin Barbecue began in late 2009 when Aaron Franklin and his wife Stacy started selling barbecue from a small trailer in East Austin. Aaron had spent years perfecting his skills at barbecue restaurants and experimenting in his backyard before opening. Quickly gaining attention from locals, their mobile setup became famous for its delicious brisket, smoked for 12 to 15 hours over locally sourced oak wood. The barbecue was so good that people regularly lined up hours before opening. Moving into a permanent spot on East 11th Street allowed more space, but they stuck firmly to traditional cooking methods without shortcuts. Recognition exploded after Bon Appétit magazine named them America’s best barbecue. Aaron’s reputation grew further when he received a James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Southwest and authored his bestselling book, Franklin Barbecue: A Meat-Smoking Manifesto. Adding a dedicated smoking facility helped meet the huge demand, though Aaron still personally supervised every step. By 2023, Franklin Barbecue had become a cultural icon, recognized nationally as a symbol of authentic Texas barbecue, with Aaron continuing to educate others through workshops and videos.
Meaning and History
What is Franklins BBQ?
This is the place where smoked meat is brought to perfection. The diner in Austin, Texas, is known for juicy, flavorful smoked meats, especially brisket, for which people are willing to stand in long lines. All stages of cooking – from the selection of firewood to the precise setting of the temperature – are carried out with the utmost precision. Founded by a barbecue enthusiast, the establishment has grown from a small trailer to an iconic place where connoisseurs worldwide come. The high level of craftsmanship has led to the prestigious chef’s award, and the demand for dishes is so great that it is not uncommon for meat to run out long before closing.
2009 – today
The Franklin BBQ logo has its own atmosphere, reflecting the open and simple nature of the establishment. The restaurant’s name is at the center of a shape resembling a piece of smoked meat with smooth edges. The name is written in two different fonts, creating an interesting, relaxed look without excessive precision.
The word “Franklin” is designed in a handwritten-style font with a bluish tint, featuring slightly curved lines that resemble smoke rising from a grill. Instead of a traditional dot over the letter “i,” there is a small orange flame symbol. The color of the flame is repeated in the word “BARBECUE” below, which is written in large, bold, uppercase letters. This highlights the restaurant’s main theme—smoking and fire.
Aaron Franklin turned a small establishment into a popular destination, with lines forming for his smoked brisket. This casual and natural feel, present in the logo, perfectly reflects the restaurant’s working style—everything revolves around high-quality meat and the skill of preparing it properly without any unnecessary formalities.