i. Biography
He describes the style in plain terms: "What I do is Central Texas style, which is what I think of when I think of Texas barbecue. It’s from German and Czech settlers and focuses on simple seasonings like salt and pepper, and maybe a little bit of cayenne."
The Path
Central Texas barbecue is built on restraint, smoke, and patience, and Aaron Franklin’s reputation follows that logic. Franklin Barbecue, founded by Aaron Franklin in 2009, became tied to a style that leaves room for meat, fire, and seasoning to do the work. That same direct approach carries into BBQ with Franklin, which Aaron Franklin has hosted since 2013, extending a pit-side method into television without dressing it up.
The Work Today
Today’s work still points back to the same practical habits: attention to tools, process, and repeatable results. Aaron Franklin has said, "I’m kind of a coffee nerd, and sometimes I think our house espresso barbecue sauce is my excuse for having nice coffee equipment." The line lands because it treats sauce, coffee, and barbecue as related disciplines — each dependent on equipment, timing, and close control. In that frame, the public identity stays centered on fire, seasoning, and technique rather than performance.
Signature
Aaron's signature dishes include Franklin Barbecue: A Meat-Smoking Manifesto, Franklin Steak, Franklin Smoke, and house espresso barbecue sauce. Taken together, they sketch the contours of a career built on translating technique into accessible, memorable form — part manual, part expression of taste, and part invitation into the discipline behind the smoke.
In Their Words “What I do is Central Texas style, which is what I think of when I think of Texas barbecue. It’s from German and Czech settlers and focuses on simple seasonings like salt and pepper, and maybe a little bit of cayenne.” “I’m kind of a coffee nerd, and sometimes I think our house espresso barbecue sauce is my excuse for having nice coffee equipment.”
Acclaim
Aaron's honors include James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef: Southwest (2015) and American Royal Barbecue Hall of Fame inductee (2020). Those honors sit on top of a career that moved a regional barbecue practice into wider recognition while keeping the same spare, exacting register that defined it from the start.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Aaron
What is Aaron Franklin's current role?
As of 2026, Aaron Franklin is Owner and Chief Firestarter.
What recognition has Aaron Franklin received?
James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef: Southwest (2015).
