Rib City hits Virginia Beach

FORT MYERS -- Rib City, a family-owned national barbecue chain, will open its 17th franchise location, in Virginia Beach, Va., in December.

Cordell Burges, son of Rib City Director of Franchise Sales Jack Burges, will serve as owner and general manager of the Virginia Beach location, which will occupy a freestanding building formerly used by Burger King.

Restaurant Business magazine identified Rib City as one of the fastest growing restaurant chains in the nation among companies with between $25 million and $50 million in 2010 sales. Father-and-son entrepreneurs Paul and Craig Peden, who founded the Fort Myers-based barbecue chain in 1989, were featured in this year's Entrepreneur of the Year special issue.