Ep 15. Shuler's BBQ

In episode 15 of The Profit season 2, Marcus Lemonis visits Shuler's BBQ, a family-owned business based in South Carolina that specializes in traditional Southern barbecue dishes. The company was founded by Rodney Scott and his mother in the early 1990s and has since expanded to multiple locations across the state.

However, Shuler's BBQ has been struggling to stay afloat in recent years due to a combination of factors, including a lack of marketing and the high cost of running multiple locations. When Marcus arrives at the company's flagship location, he is greeted by Rodney, who is immediately impressed by the business mogul's credentials and offers to show him around.

Marcus is initially impressed by the quality of the food and the company's loyal customer base, but is taken aback when he sees the state of the kitchen and the outdated equipment being used to prepare the dishes. He also notes that there is a lack of branding and marketing materials, which Rodney admits is a major weakness of the business.

Over the course of the episode, Marcus dives deeper into the financials of Shuler's BBQ and discovers that the company is carrying a significant amount of debt and is barely breaking even in terms of profitability. He also observes that there is a lack of consistency across the different locations, which has led to some negative reviews and customer complaints.

Despite these challenges, Marcus sees potential in Shuler's BBQ and decides to make a deal with Rodney and his mother. He offers to provide them with a $250,000 investment in exchange for 40% ownership of the business, as well as managerial control over the company. Rodney is initially hesitant about the idea of giving up control, but eventually agrees to the terms after Marcus convinces him of the potential benefits.

With Marcus on board, Shuler's BBQ undergoes a major transformation. Marcus first focuses on improving the kitchen facilities and upgrading the equipment to increase efficiency and consistency. He also works on creating a branding and marketing strategy, including new logos and signage for the company's locations.

Additionally, Marcus helps to develop a new menu that features a mix of traditional barbecue dishes as well as some new fusion options that appeal to younger customers. He also hires a new executive chef to oversee the kitchen operations and ensure that the quality of the food remains high.

Overall, Marcus' investment and guidance help to turn Shuler's BBQ around and make it more profitable. The company is able to pay off its debts and expand to new locations, while also increasing its customer base and improving its reputation. Rodney and his mother are grateful for the support from Marcus and credit him with saving their family business.