From what started as a hobby in 2017/18, Fulks Run resident Richard Turner’s love of cooking and barbeque has segued into a dream come true.
In a few short years, he has made a quite a journey to the successful brick and mortar he now owns in Broadway, VA. He always wanted to be self-employed, and he realized that dream before his goal age of 40!
Cooking at home, Richard eventually got a food truck, then he got the Broadway Little League Concessions, and started building the brand name in Broadway.
When the present building housing Fat Boyz came available to lease, Richard took the plunge in 2023, “and went full time. September 19, 2024, we purchased this building. I was hoping to make enough when we were leasing to be able to be approved by the bank to buy the building. Since then, we’ve doubled in size. Our sales grow about 20-30 percent a year. Last year, we had to get a bigger food trailer,” due to an accident with the original.
In March, Fat Boyz starts out on the road again, with weekly roadsides, and to events and catering. Town events and breweries are included in their calendar. From March first to mid-December, Richard has every Saturday booked, as of right now, with five Saturdays remaining open. Pork tenderloin fundraisers are available for groups to request. It’s quite a money maker for groups like travel baseball or basketball.
Part of Richard’s heart is giving back to his community. The Community Give was started 3 years ago, with a Thanksgiving Free Will meal. This year, he will start the Easter Free Will Offering Meal. It will be held April 5th, 11am-4pm, (ending earlier if they run out of food). Richard will aim for 125 to 150 meals.
“You give what you can give, if you can. We set a bucket on the counter and give what you can. From the Thanksgiving meal, we donate back to the local schools for Christmas. We were able to donate around $2,000 to 5 or 6 area schools. We do all the local elementary, and the middle school. The middle school kitchen donates all the rolls for the Free Will meals- 19 or 20 dozen for Thanksgiving, and for Easter as well.”
This past Thanksgiving, the restaurant did twice as many meals as they did the year before, about 200 meals. For Thanksgiving 2026, Fat Boyz is aiming to have 400 to 500 meals!
Their Blessing Board stays up all year. “It’s always there to help someone, if they need help. It gets used, maybe 10-20 times a month. It doesn’t sound like much, but we are only open 4 days a week. I can only remember 2 times in 3 years that the board has been empty. The first time, we put some tickets on there ourselves, but since then, we haven’t had to. Some people struggle more than others.” Generosity is catching, and the customers keep tickets for meals on the board.
If the Fat Boyz parking lot seems empty, said Richard, don’t think they aren’t busy inside! Seventy five percent of their business is take-out. They can and sometimes do, run out of food before closing time. Last year, according to Richard, Fat Boyz went through 30,000 pounds of meat!
A new product recently made its debut – Barbq Bowls – Allie approved! The family dog has her face on the label! They are offered in 2 sizes with either beef or chicken. For every Allie Approved Barq bowl sold, $1 will be donated to the RSPCA.
Keeping it in the family, son Landen Turner has been promoted to manager and pit boss. He was away when the photo was taken. A close-knit group of family, close friends, and employees, help make the restaurant the success that it is.
If you haven’t experienced Fat Boyz Barbq and More, you need to. Support a local business that, in turn, supports the community.
Open Wednesday – Saturday, 11am-8pm (unless sold out)
466 S Main St, Broadway, VA
540-209-1335
