Back Yard Burgers: Catering with Grills on the Go

By Janie Pritchett-Clark

 

It doesn’t take much to conjure up the smell of burgers on the grill. Or fun memories in the backyard with friends and co-workers.

 

That’s the whole idea behind Back Yard Burgers, a locally owned company with two locations grilling for all of Northwest Arkansas. Justin Eaton is the Director of Operations and the mastermind in turning a great concept into a catering success.

 

“We’ve revamped our catering menu this year and it’s been a big hit,” says Eaton, a native of Northwest Arkansas who has been in the restaurant industry for nearly 17 years.

 

“It’s so simple and easy. If you have a party and you have a hamburger, you are going to make everybody happy. There aren’t very many people who don’t like hamburgers. And we serve really good hamburgers.”

 

Using top quality ingredients is a standard, he says and promises they build a picture perfect burger that tastes as good as it looks. “We have the best patty out there.

Then we accent that with premium side items. We keep it simple but we keep it good.”

 

Bring out the grill and things really start cooking. “It’s really cool,” says Eaton. “The grill itself is usually the star of the show. People have to come check it out. It really draws them in.”

 

The Back Yard Burger grill can cook 90 burgers at a time, with the crew handling the cooking. A minimum order of around $300 brings that bad boy grill to your location, where everything is served family style, and comes complete with utensils and condiments.

 

Between the burgers and the grill, you can easily create a fun, family-style environment for any event, but Eaton points out that not all events need all that style. For some events, he says, you just need good food delivered.

 

Ray Harris is a pharmaceutical representative in the area who uses Back Yard Burgers frequently as he hosts lunches for area clinics, doctors and nurses. “My clients ask for it,” says Harris. “I always ask them what they want and Back Yard Burgers is their top choice.”

 

“Service is easy, quick, convenient and the food is great,” Harris claims. “When you find something really good you like to stick with it. I have Justin on speed dial.”

 

Cecil Henson is a Safety Specialist at Bekaert manufacturing in Rogers, who used Back Yard Burgers for a safety reward celebration for about 270 employees with big appetites. “It was an excellent value,” he says. “Back Yard Burgers was there on time and did what they said they’d do. It was an efficient, turnkey operation we didn’t have to do much to help. It was all good, hot foot and everybody really liked it.”

 

“It’s comfort food,” says Eaton. 

 

Hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, ribs, bratwurst make up the mainstay of the delivery menu, which is organized and priced in a simple, easy to understand, per person charge.

 

“When we set out to do the catering menu, I was adamant about pricing it so that people can actually use it,” he explains. “Our catering menu is like none other, has simple, tasty items on it that people really want, and companies are able to afford. You can get a nice spread of food for as little a $6.50 per person.”

 

Eaton says they can help you plan your needs based on the type of event and who the guests will be. That flexibility and versatility is something companies appreciate, he says, and the proof is in all the events they do for corporations, manufacturers, golf tournaments, non-profit and charity events, schools, construction crews, and vendor lunches. They even grill for the Hogs.

 

Whether it’s a big bash or little lunch, Back Yard Burgers is a good option to consider. “We cook it, deliver it, clean up afterwards,” says Eaton. “Basically all you have to do is eat and be happy.”