Plowboys Barbeque in Overland Park closing, owners cite impact of COVID-19 pandemic
Plowboys Barbeque permanently closed its Overland Park location Tuesday as the popular restaurant group grapples with the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and plans to focus on its “most productive” locations and growing catering business.
The 75th Street location is closed effectively immediately, chief pitmaster Todd Johns said in an announcement on Facebook posted Tuesday morning.
Both the original Plowboys location in Blue Springs and one at Town Pavilion in downtown Kansas City will remain open, in addition to the group’s bustling catering arm, he said.
“We have dealt with a pandemic that included layoffs, mask mandates, and supply chain and labor shortages, and we believe 2022 will continue to be a tough year for restaurants,” Johns said. “We believe it is in the best interest of our brand to focus our efforts on our most productive locations and expand our highly sought-after catering operations. Our sincere thank you to all the barbeque fans who supported us in Overland Park.”
The Overland Park location opened in October 2019 in the former Fritz’s Chili restaurant on 75th Street between Metcalf and Lamar avenues and was the award-winning barbecue group’s first foray into Kansas.
Its kitchen became a hub for Plowboys’ partnership with Operation BBQ Relief during the COVID shutdowns, serving more than 35,000 meals to essential workers and families in need, Johns said.
But as the pandemic stretches into a third year and continues to batter businesses, and restaurants in particular, Johns said the group plans to focus on its other locations and operations.
The group also will continue to operate all four of its popular concession stands at Arrowhead Stadium, he added.
