Woody's Bar-B-Q Will Close Original Jacksonville Location
The restaurant chain will relocate its flagship store after 46 years of operation on University Boulevard.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Woody's Bar-B-Q will close its original restaurant at 1638 University Blvd. S. in Jacksonville on September 30, 2026. The move follows the October 2025 acquisition of the business by Greater Purpose Restaurant Group.
Why it matters
Management is shifting operations to a new site to better align with current market conditions after the closure of nearby businesses changed the area's commercial landscape. This transition highlights the necessity of evaluating real estate positioning even for long-standing establishments.
The original University Boulevard site operated for 46 years, serving as the foundation for a chain that now spans locations in Florida and North Carolina. To mark the final day, the restaurant is offering a pulled pork sandwich with fries for $1.90.
The players
Greater Purpose Restaurant Group
An operator that acquired Woody's Bar-B-Q in 2025 to manage the brand across its nine-location footprint.
Jack Dunsmoor
A co-owner of the Greater Purpose Restaurant Group overseeing the brand's strategic transition and relocation.
Kelly Harris
A co-owner of the Greater Purpose Restaurant Group focused on current chain operations and restaurant site selection.
The details
Greater Purpose Restaurant Group, which acquired the business in late 2025, is managing the relocation to optimize future performance. The transition includes a staffing plan that allows employees at the current site to transfer to other company-owned restaurants within the network. Despite the move, the company intends to maintain its signature menu of slow-smoked meats and traditional sides at the upcoming venue.
Timeline
July 1, 1980: The original Woody's Bar-B-Q opened on University Boulevard.
October 2025: Greater Purpose Restaurant Group acquired the restaurant business.
September 30, 2026: The University Boulevard restaurant closes its doors.
Market Landscape
The closure follows a pattern set by the decline of neighborhood commercial clusters, forcing operators to relocate in response to evolving local foot traffic. This move demonstrates how established brands must pivot their real estate strategy when the original site's external environment changes.
Operators should review their own site-traffic data against regional shifts to determine if a location remains viable or requires relocation. Ensure that transition plans include formal transfer processes for staff to retain institutional knowledge during store movements.
The takeaway
Legacy locations provide brand history, but they must be balanced against the realities of surrounding commercial infrastructure. Review your current lease and local traffic data to determine if your site's physical location still aligns with your target customer base.
Further reading
For more on shifts in the local market, see Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Florida Times-Union.
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