Bbq Reality Shows Business

3 Bbq Reality Shows Business Success Stories [2025]

•

Updated: April 15th, 2025

Want to combine the thrill of competition with the savory world of BBQ? Enter the realm of BBQ reality shows. This business idea centers around crafting and producing reality TV content that captures the intense and flavorful battles among pitmasters.

Your goal will be to scout charismatic contestants, engage passionate audiences, and showcase diverse BBQ styles. The logistics involve project managing shoots, securing locations, and post-production editing—all while ensuring each episode delivers mouth-watering excitement.

The allure lies in the growing popularity of cooking shows, paired with the universal love of BBQ. This venture could attract sponsorships, streaming partnerships, and a loyal viewership. If you have a knack for storytelling and a love for BBQ culture, launching a BBQ reality show could offer a smoking hot opportunity in the entertainment industry.

In this list, you'll find real-world BBQ reality shows business success stories and very profitable examples of starting a BBQ reality shows business that makes money.

1. Ramsey Solutions ($300M/year)

Dave Ramsey came up with the idea for Ramsey Solutions after experiencing a financial downfall that completely upended his life. Early in his career, Dave had significant success in real estate but lost everything due to mismanaging debt and declared bankruptcy at age 28. This personal crisis drove him to seek answers in financial stability and led him to turn to biblical principles for financial guidance.

He began helping others create financial plans, offering advice based on his own experiences of hitting rock bottom and climbing back up. He used his insights from formally studying the Bible's teachings on money management, which resonated with many who were also struggling financially. Ramsey initially tested his ideas by counseling one-on-one and eventually moved on to teaching classes and hosting a radio show, continuously refining his approach based on feedback and the success stories of those he helped.

One of the significant challenges he faced was navigating public skepticism and refining his methods to ensure they were both practical and spiritually grounded. Overcoming this and positioning himself as a trusted financial advisor taught him the importance of transparency and staying true to one's values. His journey emphasizes the need for personal experience and authenticity in building a business that aims to solve real-world problems.

How much money it makes: $300M/year
How many people on the team: 1200

How Dave Ramsey Built Into A $700M Empire After Bankruptcy

Ramsey Solutions transformed a personal financial collapse into a $300 million annual empire, leveraging radio shows and best-selling books to reach over 20 million weekly listeners while offering products like Financial Peace University at $99, showcasing the power of resilience and strategic diversification in building a thriving business.

Read this case study

Read by 1,099 founders

2. Growthink ($12M/year)

In 1999, while launching a juice business and expecting his first child, Dave Lavinsky started writing business plans as a side hustle to bring in income. The high demand led him to co-found Growthink, which has since helped over 1 million entrepreneurs.

How much money it makes: $12M/year
How many people on the team: 40

We've Helped 1 Million Entrepreneurs Build Companies and Make $10M+ Per Year

A case study about Growthink, a business planning and capital raising company that has helped over 1 million entrepreneurs, discusses the founder's journey from side hustle to expanding product offerings, attracting customers through content creation and search engine marketing, and using AI to streamline operations and develop an AI business plan generator.

Read this case study

Read by 2,233 founders

3. The BBQ Cleaner ($840K/year)

Jeffrey Krentzman started The BBQ Cleaner in 2009 after cleaning BBQ grills in Northern New Jersey for four years and realizing the potential for replication in other markets. With over 240 locations across the United States, The BBQ Cleaner is the largest and most successful grill cleaning business opportunity, boasting a 99% and higher customer satisfaction rate. They have attracted and retained customers through word-of-mouth and referrals, eliminating the need for advertising since 2008. They continue to experience success and growth, with plans to expand their nationwide reach in the future.

How much money it makes: $840K/year
How much did it cost to start: $50K
How many people on the team: 1