Famous Dave’s shares smokin’

Shares in BBQ Holdings hit a 5-year high after the owner of Minnesota-based barbecue chain Famous Dave’s reported strong sales growth in March.

The company, which also operates the Granite City Brewery chain, said same-store sales soared in the first quarter as pandemic restrictions were lifted.

“Given our most recent performance in Q1, we are feeling very positive about 2021 and what it means for all our stakeholders,” CEO Jeff Crivello said. Sales at Famous Dave’s jumped nearly 44% in March, and Granite City sales soared over 60% last month, on a same-store basis as of March 25.

Famous Dave’s founder Dave Anderson opened his first restaurant in Hayward, Wisconsin in 1994. The chain now has 145 restaurants in 31 states.