One Athens-based business is expanding to Franklin County to offer Russellville a new option for barbecue and catering.

The newest 306 Barbecue restaurant will be located on Highway 43 at the former Speedy Pig location, which operations manager Chris Whitten said was the perfect fit for the company.

“We had been looking at expanding for a while, so the fact that there used to be a barbecue place here before made this a great fit for us,” Whitten said.

Whitten said 306 Barbecue is unique because of its focus on being community oriented, and he said Russellville was a great city to choose for expansion. “I think Russellville really represents all of what we really stand for as a company.”

Franklin County Chamber of Commerce Director Cassie Medley said it is great to see Franklin County growing in options and businesses.

“It is wonderful to have businesses invest in Franklin County,” Medley said. “Opening a new business or additional location is good for our economy while allowing more options and variety.”

Renovation is expected to start on the restaurant in the next few weeks, with a hope of opening by mid-April.

Whitten said the restaurant will also include catering options, once employees have become accustomed to day-to-day operations.

He said 306 BBQ has been serving the Russellville area through catering for a while, so that is where the idea came from to open another location in Russellville.

“I think they are going to give us a chance to expand into some of these smaller towns,” Whitten said.

Whitten said one thing that sets 306 Barbecue apart is that it is not a large fast-food business but is also not a small business.

“Whenever you come in, you are going to receive fresh hot food,” Whitten said. “We are cooking food up three times a day in the smoker, which I feel like is something that a lot of places don’t do these days.”

The Russellville location is going to be the fourth for 306 Barbecue, with the original location in Athens and two other locations in Florence and Muscle Shoals.

“We are always really excited to expand, and I think we are at a point now where we are going to see how far this business can go,” Whitten said. “We are really excited about everything that is to come.”