Food Truck to Brick-and-Mortar: A Member Journey Years in the Making

From free-time food truck to booming barbecue, Tig’s BBQ is taking its next big step by opening its first brick-and-mortar restaurant later this month.

It’s a milestone moment for owner Troy, and a powerful example of what’s possible when a strong vision is met with the right support.

Believing in the vision

Every successful business starts with an idea. But bringing that idea to life takes true belief. Especially in the early stages, before the growth, recognition, and popularity follow.

We’ve had the privilege of working with Troy for nearly a decade, supporting his journey from the very beginning. What started as a side venture in 2016 quickly showed promise, but not everyone was ready to take a chance.

As Troy shared, “When I started my BBQ business as a side venture in 2016, my bank at the time said I needed more years in business. The Members business team fully believed in me and my vision.”

At Members Cooperative Credit Union, that belief is at the heart of what we do. We’re not just here for where businesses are today, we’re here for where they’re going. And sometimes it just takes someone to believe in your dream.

The road to recognition

Over the past 10 years, Tig’s BBQ has grown into a local favorite, earning numerous awards along the way. In 2025, the company was recognized in the DNT Best of the Best awards, earning 1st place for Best Small Company to Work For – Eats & Drinks and 2nd place honors for Best BBQ Food, Best Food Truck, and Best Caterer. While these achievements reflect the company’s success today, the journey to becoming one of the region’s most beloved barbecue businesses certainly didn’t happen overnight.

Like many small businesses, the journey came with its share of challenges.

“Having the support of our family and friends was huge, but having Neil and Jerad’s encouragement and belief that we would get the deal done kept me moving forward when it would have been easy to give up. The process wasn’t easy, but Members stood beside me every step of the way.”

From navigating hurdles to working through complex processes that didn’t always go as planned, every step forward required persistence, resilience, and a strong support system.

More than financing 

Stories like Troy’s are a reminder that small businesses are about more than transactions. They’re truly about people, passion, and community.

At Members, we believe being a financial partner means standing beside our members through both the challenges and the milestones. It means listening, problem-solving, and believing in their goals—even before they’re fully realized.

And truthfully, when local businesses succeed, our communities become stronger.

Looking ahead

What began as a passion project has now grown into a thriving, community-loved business. Now, as Tig’s BBQ prepares to open its first brick-and-mortar location, the future is full of opportunity—and plenty of delicious barbeque.

Congratulations to Troy and the Tig’s team on this exciting new milestone. We’re proud to have been part of the journey so far and look forward to what’s next.