The concept of Real Barbecue and great Ribs began with a small, family-style barbecue operation in 1989 on U.S. 41 in Fort Myers, Florida. The success of that location led to the opening of a second restaurant in Cape Coral in 1990.

By 1992, having outgrown the original location on U.S. 41, the business moved to a larger building nearby, in partnership with Paul and Craig Peden, successful restaurateurs in Southwest Florida for over 20 years. Later that same year, they converted a Fort Myers Beach location into a Rib City®, continuing the brand’s growth. In 1994, a new location opened in North Naples, expanding Rib City’s® award-winning Baby Back Ribs into two counties.

In 1995, the father-and-son duo, Paul and Craig Peden, continued to grow the company and expand into new areas. As accolades accumulated, they added ten more locations over the next twenty-one years: East Fort Myers in 1996; East Naples in 1997; Immokalee in 1998; North Cape Coral and Lehigh Acres in 1999; St. Petersburg in 2002; Venice in 2004; North Fort Myers in 2005; Estero in 2011; and South Fort Myers in 2015. With 13 restaurant locations across four counties, Floridians and visitors from all over the world can enjoy Rib City’s® award-winning Baby Back Ribs and Barbecue, which have now, 27 years later, become “The Ribs That Legends Are Made Of…”

Offering franchises was the next step in Rib City’s® journey, beginning in 2004 with locations in Littleton and Grand Junction, Colorado. In 2005, franchise locations opened in Fruita and Arvada, Colorado. In 2006, franchise locations expanded to Vancouver, Washington; Montrose, Colorado; and Hamilton, Ohio. In 2007, a restaurant opened in Rifle, Colorado, followed by a location in St. Louis, Missouri, in 2008. In 2010, restaurants were established in Cookeville, Tennessee, and a second location in Littleton, Colorado. In 2011, another restaurant opened in Alton, Illinois. In 2012, a location was added in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and in 2015, a restaurant opened in Grant, Florida, bringing the total to 14. Starting in 2016 and moving forward, Rib City® continues to nurture the growth of this aspect of the business with additional locations nationwide.

Through leadership, dedication, and a passion for the restaurant business, the Pedens have consistently maintained superior quality in their products and services.