We Build Restaurants, You Build Taste Memories - PB&J Restaurant Group
PB& J Restaurant Group ~ Aired October 16, 2025
The Creative Minds Behind Popular Kansas City Concepts Like YaYa's Bistrio, Burnt End BBQ, Red Robin, Starbucks and More!
This week on the show, we welcomed Pat Khoury and Chef Paully to the show, listeners got a chance to peek behind the scenes of one of the most dynamic restaurant groups in the Midwest. Here’s a deeper at what sets PB&J apart from other restaurant groups.
About PB&J Restaurant Group
PB&J Restaurants began in 1987 when founder Paul Khoury took a leap, borrowing $115,000 to start a 2,200-square-foot diner. From those humble roots, PB&J has grown into a multi-concept operator with more than 60 locations over time, spanning casual dining, upscale concepts, and franchise partnerships.
PB&J is known not only for diverse restaurant concepts, like Burnt Ends BBQ, Yia Yias EuroBistro, Grand St. Café, and Say Cheese (a quick-serve grilled cheese concept), but also for a strong culture of employee ownership and loyalty.
One standout tradition: any employee reaching 15 years of service is rewarded with a custom Harley Davidson motorcycle, a practice started when one longtime team member casually asked Paul what they’d like as an anniversary gift. PB&J often presents these motorcycles annually during a large employee celebration held each July 4th. Another distinctive policy: PB&J gives its general managers and chefs equity stakes in their restaurants. This structure encourages autonomy, creativity, and deep buy-in.