Page 1 of 3
Oklahoma Joe's rebranding as "Joe's Kansas City"?
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 4:01 pm
by KCMax
Oklahoma Joe’s opening Olathe event space. Is a name change next?
More than two years ago, Oklahoma Joe’s introduced “Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que Sauce.”
Then, about 18-months ago, the restaurant came out with a “Joe’s Original French Fry Seasoning.”
Now it has two new T-shirts — one that says “Quality Smoked Meats Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que;” and “Home of the Z-Man Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que.”
Is the “Oklahoma Joe’s” name being phased out? The owners declined to comment on the name change at this time.
Re: Oklahoma Joe's rebranding as "Joe's Kansas City"?
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2014 3:36 pm
by NDTeve
Not sure what the need would be...maybe just less confusing from a branding standpoint.
Re: Oklahoma Joe's rebranding as "Joe's Kansas City"?
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2014 4:34 pm
by LenexatoKCMO
I have heard more than a few folks grumble about having one of the more celebrated BBQ restaurants in the capital of the bbq world, Kansas City, carry a name including the word "Oklahoma". They must have heard the grumbles too. That said I am rather surprised they would be willing to give up so much brand equity given that it is nationally recognized in BBQ circles and the new name sounds much more generic.
Re: Oklahoma Joe's rebranding as "Joe's Kansas City"?
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2014 5:45 pm
by grovester
Or just transition to OK Joe's for a while.
Re: Oklahoma Joe's rebranding as "Joe's Kansas City"?
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2014 10:32 pm
by chaglang
Smokie Joe's
Re: Oklahoma Joe's rebranding as "Joe's Kansas City"?
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2014 8:36 am
by kcmetro
chaglang wrote:Smokie Joe's
There's a Smokin' Joe's in Olathe which is far worse than Oklahoma Joe's. Wouldn't want people getting the two confused and ending up at Smokin' Joe's.
Re: Oklahoma Joe's rebranding as "Joe's Kansas City"?
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2014 3:52 pm
by KCMax
They are indeed changing their name to "Joe's Kansas City."
http://www.kansascity.com/news/business ... 10928.html
Re: Oklahoma Joe's rebranding as "Joe's Kansas City"?
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2014 4:00 pm
by shinatoo
Not thrilled about the name "Oklahoma Joe's" but this is a huge marketing mistake at this point. Should have been done 5 years ago.
Re: Oklahoma Joe's rebranding as "Joe's Kansas City"?
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2014 8:48 am
by chrizow
incredibly stupid. i can't believe they thought this was a good idea. the "oklahoma" thing is a lot less confusing when you realize an "oklahoma joe" is a kind of smoker. "Joe's kansas city" sounds very generic. Why on earth change your name after years of national press and accolades using your old name?
Re: Oklahoma Joe's rebranding as "Joe's Kansas City"?
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2014 9:13 am
by KCMax
Petty provincalism once again rears its ugly head in Kansas City. Film at 11.
Re: Oklahoma Joe's rebranding as "Joe's Kansas City"?
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2014 9:38 am
by earthling
Doesn't make sense to change name but 'KC Joes' rolls off tongue better.
Re: Oklahoma Joe's rebranding as "Joe's Kansas City"?
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2014 10:53 am
by lock+load
More likely the change is because they do not own the rights to the Oklahoma Joe's name nationwide. Look's like the original "Joe" is trying to franchise the concept.
http://www.joedavidson.com/licensing
Re: Oklahoma Joe's rebranding as "Joe's Kansas City"?
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2014 10:53 am
by slimwhitman
earthling wrote:Doesn't make sense to change name but 'KC Joes' rolls off tongue better.
...or even OK Joe's at least removes it from "Oklahoma". This name change is just plain weird.
Re: Oklahoma Joe's rebranding as "Joe's Kansas City"?
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2014 10:55 am
by brewcrew1000
Joe's Kansas City sounds like some crappy Italian restaurant.
Re: Oklahoma Joe's rebranding as "Joe's Kansas City"?
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2014 11:05 am
by longviewmo
lock+load wrote:More likely the change is because they do not own the rights to the Oklahoma Joe's name nationwide. Look's like the original "Joe" is trying to franchise the concept.
http://www.joedavidson.com/licensing
And to add to the confusion, the KC locations are listed here and their accolades are claimed across the site:
http://www.joedavidson.com/restaurants
Re: Oklahoma Joe's rebranding as "Joe's Kansas City"?
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2014 11:11 am
by lock+load
Seems like a raw deal for owners of KC locations. They have built the reputation and brand equity and now someone else gets to profit from it.
Re: Oklahoma Joe's rebranding as "Joe's Kansas City"?
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2014 11:14 am
by kcjak
lock+load wrote:Seems like a raw deal for owners of KC locations. They have built the reputation and brand equity and now someone else gets to profit from it.
'merica!
Re: Oklahoma Joe's rebranding as "Joe's Kansas City"?
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2014 11:57 am
by kboish
brewcrew1000 wrote:Joe's Kansas City sounds like some crappy Italian restaurant.
Sounds like a used car dealer commercial.
"Come on down to Joes Kansas City to get a great deal. No money down!"
Re: Oklahoma Joe's rebranding as "Joe's Kansas City"?
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2014 1:44 pm
by PumpkinStalker
You just need to get used to the European way of naming restaurants.
We all had the same reaction to Sporting KC.
Re: Oklahoma Joe's rebranding as "Joe's Kansas City"?
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2014 2:24 pm
by WSPanic
It reminds me more of a place specifically NOT located in KC - like Max's Kansas City.
Having OK in the name never bothered me. This seems silly and misguided. But, it probably won't hurt their business. Perhaps this is the beginning of the end for Joe's. I hope I'm the first to proclaim I liked the food better before the name changed.