Celebrating National BBQ Day and Mac’s Speed Shop’s 20th Anniversary
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WJZY) — May 16th is National Barbeque Day, and one local spot is celebrating in a big way
From May 16 to May 18, Mac’s locations will have live music, balloons and free birthday cake, brunch pop-ups, and more.
Plus, they’re giving back to the North Carolina Community Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund. From May 16-28, one dollar from every pork sandwich sold will be donated to the relief fund.
May 16, 2025 at 12:57 pm EDT By Queen City News


Mac’s Speed Shop Celebrating 20th Anniversary
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QC Life) – What started with a group of friends who loved bikes and good times has evolved into a local favorite.
Mac’s Speed Shop, known for their finger lickin’ good BBQ and sauces, is celebrating two decades of feeding hungry Charlotteans.
When Wynn Davis and Hall Johnston found an old garage in South End, then called Mac’s Automotive, they knew it was the perfect spot for a place that had good food, cold drinks and rock ‘n’ roll.
Celebrate Mac’s Speed Shop all weekend long with a special 20th anniversary party at all of their locations from May 16-18, 2025.
May 15, 2025 at 2:06 pm EDT By QC Life
Mac’s Speed Shop Celebrates 20 Years of BBQ, Bikes, and Community
Mac’s Speed Shop, the popular Carolina-born barbecue joint, is celebrating 20 years in business with a celebration across all nine restaurant locations in North and South Carolina.
The anniversary celebration will include live music, food and drink features, limited-edition merch and a charitable giveback initiative—all designed to honor Mac’s humble roots, loyal customers and the community that has fueled its success.
“We never imagined we’d still be cranking out barbecue 20 years later,” said co-founder Hall Johnston in a press release. “It was a wild idea that just took off—five guys with no restaurant experience, a smoker from Texas and a whole lot of heart. But here we are, and it’s all because of the people who walked through our doors.”
Mary 13, 2025 by Greater Fayetteville Business Journal


Top 30 BBQ Spots in North Carolina
“Mac’s Speed Shop, a staple in Charlotte since 2005, offers a unique blend of Southern barbecue and biker bar ambiance.”
“Renowned for its hickory-smoked pulled pork, brisket, and ribs, the restaurant delivers bold flavors that have garnered a loyal following.”
“Known for its lively atmosphere, Mac’s Speed Shop provides a vibrant setting for enjoying quality barbecue and drinks with friends.”
May 4, 2025 at 9:46 am EDT By Restaurant Clicks
Taste of The Food and Live Performances at Mac’s Speed Shop
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WJZY) — One local spot is combining delicious barbeque with live music and good vibes. Mac’s Speed Shop has family-friendly live music nights that kick off in the spring.
Charles Long, Director of Culinary Operations said Mac’s is the destination for award-winning BBQ, cold drinks and good times.
Mac’s has been doing live music nights since they opened 20 years ago.
April 18, 2025 at 5:02 pm EDT By Positively Charlotte


Mac’s Speed Shop Five Points: $2 Burgers on Mondays
Mac’s Speed Shop, 1626 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, North Carolina, is starting the week off right with a special burger deal.
On Monday nights, starting January 6, 2025, Mac’s Speed Shop Five Points is launching $2 Burger Nights from 5 to 10 p.m. The promotion is valid until at least the end of May.
March 2, 2025 By Judy Mace, Triangle on The Cheap
20 Years of Beer, Bikes & BBQ, with Tony Salerno of Mac’s Speed Shop
In 2005, a group of friends with a shared love of motorcycles, beer and barbecue opened a restaurant in an industrial area near uptown known as South End. Today, 20 years later, that restaurant — Mac’s Speed Shop — has grown into a company with nine such restaurants in North and South Carolina, with more on the way.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Tony Salerno, president of Mac’s Hospitality Group, talks with Ledger editor Tony Mecia about how this well-known fixture in Charlotte’s restaurant scene has endured and continues to expand.
March 1, 2025 By The Charlotte Ledger Podcast


Tasty Tuesday: Mac’s Speed Shop Making Super Bowl Parties Easy
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Another week and another Tasty Tuesday! Mac’s Speed Shop is back with a limited time only menu, plus options to make your Super Bowl party easy as pie (or beef rib).
January 21, 2025 at 5:02 pm EDT By WCCB
Making Thanksgiving Dinner Easy With Mac’s Speed Shop
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QC Life) – Thanksgiving is quickly on its way and many families are scrambling to get their menu together before the big day.
Charles Long, the culinary director at Mac‘s Speed Shop, dropped by the QC Kitchen to give us a taste of what their Thanksgiving menu offers including a fully cooked turkey, mac ’n’ cheese, green been casserole and so much more.
November 14, 2024 at 4:55 pm EDT By Positively Charlotte


Well-known BBQ joint Mac’s Speed Shop expanding footprint to Fort Mill
FORT MILL, S.C. — Mac’s Speed Shop will add a Fort Mill restaurant in the second quarter of 2022.
The popular barbecue joint is under contract to purchase 3-plus acres off Exit 85 on S.C. Highway 160 in Fort Mill, says Shang Skipper, president of Mac’s Hospitality Group.
“This is a location we think is a little underserved for what we do at Mac’s. We think it will do well,” he says.
August 18, 2021 at 8:25 am EDT By Charlotte Business Journal
Can Your Restaurant Have Too Many Taps?
“Instead of us from a home office perspective mandating what those 40 taps are, each of our restaurants will look at having partnerships that will probably take on 18–22 of those taps,” says Jay Spungin, director of operations and beverage at Mac’s Speed Shop.
AUGUST 2021 NICOLE DUNCAN


Mac’s Speed Shop restaurant group gives all employees the day off in effort to prevent burnout
The Mac’s management team says the decision was made several weeks ago in an effort to reward employees for their hard work, give them a mental and physical break, and prevent employees from feeling over-extended.
“The biggest thing we could do was just close,” said restaurant group president Shang Skipper.
BY JACOB REYNOLDS CHARLOTTE
PUBLISHED 9:57 AM ET AUG. 09, 2021
‘A day to rest.’ Charlotte restaurant employees working 60-hours per week, getting PTO and cash bonus to keep happy
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (FOX 46 CHARLOTTE) – A worker shortage is forcing some businesses to come up with ways to prevent the staff they do have from quitting.
“We have been busy! We have not stopped at all,” bartender Rachel Weaver said.
Weaver has been putting in hours behind the bar at Mac’s Speed Shop, sometimes working up to 60 hours a week.
by: Taylor Young
Posted: Aug 7, 2021


‘It’s been a struggle.’ To fight burnout, Charlotte restaurant group to close for a day
A Charlotte restaurant group that kept operating through the coronavirus pandemic is closing for a day to give its employees a day off to help ease worker burnout.
All Mac’s Speed Shop locations and SouthBound will be closed Monday, Aug. 9.
“People are just tired, they’re burned out, they just don’t show up, they’ll work lunch and leave and not come back,” Mac’s President Shang Skipper told the Observer Tuesday. “So it’s been a struggle.”
BY CATHERINE MUCCIGROSSO
UPDATED AUGUST 06, 2021 01:03 PM
Why Mac’s Hospitality Group is closing its restaurants one day next week
“Burnout is real and happening, and we had to do things to combat it,” says Shang Skipper, president of Mac’s Hospitality Group. All locations of Mac’s Speed Shop and Southbound will be closed on Aug. 9
By Jennifer Thomas – Senior Staff Writer, Charlotte Business Journal
Aug 4, 2021


N.C. businesses offer incentives to find new employees
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Unemployment claims across North Carolina have slowed down since the beginning of the year, but the state’s Department of Commerce and Employment Security reports that more than 10,000 unemployment claims were filed the week ending in July 5, 2021.
The steady flow of unemployment claims is creating staffing shortages for many businesses in the Tar Heel State.
BY GEORGIAREE GODFREY CHARLOTTE
PUBLISHED 9:05 AM ET JUL. 07, 2021
Make the most of your July 4th BBQ with advice from Mac’s Speed Shop pitmaster
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – Brandon Sarkis, Pitmaster, Mac’s Speed Shop, shared tips to help you make the most of your grill this holiday weekend.
Sarkis recommends smoking brisket for your backyard BBQ. He warned to not try to rush the process.
By WECT Staff
Published: Jul. 1, 2021


Grilling tips from the pros at Mac’s Speed Shop
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Everyone loves food fresh off the grill but learning the nuances of a grill takes time. That’s why our Eric Chilton went to the professionals at Mac’s Speed Shop in Greensboro to get a few tips.
Author: Eric Chilton
Published: 5:58 PM EDT June 24, 2021