Thatcher’s Barbeque and Grille LLC is owned and operated by the Husband and Wife team John and Melanie Thatcher of Calhoun Ga.  John has dreamed of owning his own restaurant for many years but found himself getting involved in several other businesses before taking the plunge into Food Service.  Melanie has spent most of her working life in the Office Furniture Industry with a knack for creating unique designs and concepts for offices.  Her business experience and love of cooking has made Thatcher’s a unique dining experience with most all of the recipes, menu names and design all of her own creations. 

In 2009  with a slowing economy, Melanie left the Office Furniture Industry and she and John decided to try the Restaurant Business.  To say they started from scratch is an understatement.  In the beginning, they spent a lot of time searching for used restaurant equipment online buying a piece at a time with money they would save from paychecks.  Before they knew it, they had a little shack and enough equipment to start and on April 6, 2010, Thatcher’s BBQ and Grille was born. 

As for Barbeque experience, neither knew a thing about it.  Much time was spent in their driveway smoking up the neighborhood trying to perfect what they thought folks would enjoy.  Several “get togethers” at their home were planned with family and friends to taste test some of the ideas Melanie had come up with.  With advise from some of John’s friends in the business Thatcher’s operated as a To-Go only concept for the first year and then a dining room was added with 28 seats.  Soon after, a screened in porch was added for an additional 28 seats for diners to enjoy. 

During the first 2 1/2 years, John continued working in the Emergency Vehicle Equipment Industry while helping Melanie on the evenings and weekends.  Melanie worked the restaurant full time coming up with the unique recipes everyone enjoys today.  With the original location proving to be a success and much encouragement from family and customers, the Thatchers decided to expand into a second location.  After searching for months, they found a wonderful building in the Rosedale Community just outside Calhoun Ga.  After fast growth within a year, Thatchers has moved to the City of Calhoun on N Wall Street 3/4 of a mile North of Red Bud Rd in a larger setting.

John is the Pitmaster at the Calhoun location and Melanie heads up the preparation of all her home made sides we call “MelMade”.  You can find the Thatchers working most every day preparing the great food.  We hope you enjoy your dining experience and food as much as we enjoy preparing it for you.