Executive Chat

Featuring Tamala Fowler, CEO of Belief Brand Partners, the franchisor of This is It! Southern Kitchen

by Rebecca Patt, Senior Vice President of Development, Wray Executive Search

In 1983, Butch Anthony and his wife founded This Is It! BBQ & Seafood in Atlanta. In 2016, Belief Brands Partners, LLC was formed to be the franchisor of This Is It! under a renewing 50-year licensing agreement. The fast-casual Southern kitchen concept has 11 locations and growing. Tamala has an executive background focused operations and franchising with over 20 years at Olive Garden, Friday’s, Dickey’s, and Gigi’s Cupcakes. She joined This is It in September 2019.

What inspired you to join This Is It?
Meeting the founder. Mr. Anthony is a dedicated professional just like his parents before him. His mother and father worked together, owning and operating a successful diner in Tampa, Florida in the 1950’s- a time when there were not many Black owned businesses in the area. When he then opened his own restaurants in Atlanta over 35 years ago, he was following in their footsteps and in everything he did, he did the very best he could- to honor them. The first time we met he told me his dream was to see his restaurants grow outside of Atlanta and let people from all over the country experience his food. I couldn’t resist. I want more than anything to help him make that dream come true.