As soon as the clock struck 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 17, people burst through the doors of the Gainesville Shane’s Rib Shack for its grand opening.

Mariah Babich, the fast-casual restaurant’s director of operations, floated around the space as customers lined up at the front counter to order their Southern-style meals.

When people dine at Shane’s Rib Shack, Babich said they can expect all of the food to be cooked in the store. The kitchen staff smoke the restaurant’s pork for 12 hours each night and hand-bread the chicken tenders daily. 

Babich said a lot of love goes into the food, but the cuisine isn’t the core of what Shane’s Rib Shack offers.

“It starts as just a meal,” Babich said. “But, at the end of the day, we want our guests to be a part of our family.”

In addition to the rustic decor adorning the walls, the restaurant pays tribute to local sports teams in Gainesville and Hall County school districts. 

Babich said Shane’s Rib Shack intends to make customized partnerships with the schools. The relationship might involve bringing meals to teams before games or cheering on students at sports events. The restaurant also recently hired employees from Gainesville High School, East Hall High School and Lanier College & Career Academy.

“We’re here to make a great impression in the community and make those connections,” Babich said. “There used to be a Shane’s in Gainesville, and we just felt like it was really time to bring it back to the community. We’re corporately owned, so we know we’re here to stay.”

The restaurant, located at 610 White Sulphur Road in Gainesville, is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Shane’s Rib Shack in Gainesville still has part-time openings for morning shift employees. To apply for a position, visit shanesribshack.com/careers.