The family behind the critically acclaimed Saw’s barbecue restaurants have been named Alabama’s Bronze Retailer of the Year in the Annual Sales $5 Million to $20 Million category.
“The family’s commitment to our community and chamber is fantastic,” Meredith Drennen, executive director of the Homewood Chamber of Commerce, who nominated the Wilson family for the award, said in a statement from the Alabama Retail Association.
Mike and Jennifer Wilson opened the first Saw’s barbecue restaurant in 2009 in Homewood.
“Mike manned the store, while I handled the books, finances and office work,” Jennifer Wilson, who at the time also was a full-time teacher, said. “Over time, we grew the Saw’s brand through partnering with others to open Saw’s Soul Kitchen in Avondale and Saw’s Juke Joint in Crestline.” A franchise company oversees three other Saw’s in Hoover, Leeds and Southside.
The rapid expansion eventually led to the end of their marriage, Jennifer Wilson said, but “the business continued to thrive.”
Then, in 2020, Mike Wilson, pit master and founder, died at the age of 46. By then, the restaurants that shared his high school nickname had become nationally acclaimed for their Carolina-style smoked pulled pork, chicken and ribs.
The founder’s business interests passed to his children, Tuc and Reese, while Jennifer, who has since retired from teaching, continues to handle business operations.
“We accept this award not only on behalf of our family but also for our co-owners, numerous employees, other supporters and last, but certainly not least, posthumously for Mike,” Jennifer said. “However, none of what we do would be possible without our customers, all of whom are the lifeblood of Saw’s.”
Drennen said, “Even after the passing of its founder, Saw’s continues to offer the best barbecue in Birmingham.”
Southern Living magazine this spring dubbed Saw’s barbecue as “the best in Alabama.”
Tuc, a college sophomore, and Reese, a high school senior, own Saw’s Inc., the original Homewood location. Jennifer is president, chief executive officer and manager of Saw’s Inc. and managing member of Saw’s Juke Joint in Crestline. Besides Saw’s Juke Joint, the Wilson family also holds the majority ownership of Saw’s Soul Kitchen in Avondale and owns the trademark and all the rights to the sauce and rub created by Mike Wilson.
Tuc “fully immersed himself in all aspects of the business this summer with an eye to the future,” his mother said.
Among the comments made by Retailer of the Year judges was that they were impressed by Saw’s partnership with college athletes through the NIL program to promote the business. They also lauded the business for improvements to its cost structure, adding online sales of its sauce and rub and partnering with a local university for meals for incoming students and events at local apartments.
The association names winners of the Alabama Retailer of the Year awards each year to honor retailers who have demonstrated growth, innovation and a commitment to their respective communities.
Saw’s is one of 11 businesses being honored as the 2023 Retailers of the Year by the Alabama Retail Association. This year’s winners were selected from 57 entries submitted from a pool of 86 nominees.
