Loan Story

Circle back like a pig on a spit

Industry

Restaurant

Client

Mickey Pigg's BBQ

Nathan Dunlap's Mickey Piggs BBQ Journey

A Story of Persistence, Pivots, and Perfect Timing

The Beginning - January 2025

I first spoke with Nathan in January 2025, and like a lot of people I work with, he a dream that had been simmering for years – owning his own restaurant. Like many entrepreneurs, he knew the restaurant business was challenging, but he also knew it was his calling. He had been in the industry about a decade ago, but pursued Nursing full time because it was the most "straight forward" path. You can't blame him there.

The target? Mickey Piggs, a beloved barbecue joint in Alto, Georgia, nestled in the foothills of the North Georgia mountains. This wasn't just any restaurant acquisition – Mickey Piggs had built a reputation for authentic Southern barbecue that drew locals and tourists alike.

The First Challenge

Nathan was excited, we were excited, and everything seemed to be falling into place. Nathan absolutely crushed it when collecting his personal items needed for the loan. Tax returns, financial statements, forms, etc. We dove deep into the financials, worked through the business plan, and started the underwriting process. But as anyone in the lending business knows, deals don't always go according to plan.

The initial Mickey Piggs deal hit a roadblock. Could have largely been due to the fact we never could get a clean set of information from the seller. But maybe it was timing, maybe it was terms, maybe it was one of those thousand little details that can derail a restaurant acquisition. Whatever it was, Nathan found himself back at square one.

The Pivot - Exploring New Opportunities

But here's what separated Nathan from other would-be restaurateurs – he didn't give up. Instead of walking away from his dream, he pivoted. Nathan started exploring other restaurant opportunities throughout North Georgia. He looked at different concepts, different locations, different price points.

For months, Nathan was like a detective, investigating every promising restaurant opportunity that came on the market. Each one taught him something new about the business, about what he really wanted, and about what would truly work for his vision.

He actually ended up landing on a really good opportunity in South Carolina in March, checked every box, the sellers were cooperative, and there was a business broker involved that made the first steps of collecting information easy enough.

That broker also ended up costing us a few months of time. We asked on multiple occasions about the lease for the property, which they assured us had been negotiated and the landlord is very welcoming. We even had draft set of terms at one point. But, as we got closer to closing it turns out that the landlord was set to demolish the building in two years. They had development plans for the property that might entail a new restaurant, but there was no guaranty.

So, back to the drawing board.

The Circle Back - Returning to Mickey Piggs

Sometimes the universe has a funny way of bringing you back to where you started. After exploring multiple other restaurant opportunities, Nathan found himself circling back to Mickey Piggs. Maybe the timing was better. Maybe the terms had shifted. Maybe Nathan himself had evolved during his months of exploring other options.

Whatever the reason, Mickey Piggs was calling Nathan back – and this time, everything aligned.

We hit the typical speed bumps with seller financing, SBA hurdles, bank requirements, closing requirements, insurance, seller side items we had no control over, and all of the typical items needed to get a business acquisition across the finish line.

Today - The Closing

Here we are in August 2025, nearly eight months after Nathan first walked through our doors. Today, Nathan Dunlap officially becomes the owner of Mickey Piggs BBQ in Alto, Georgia.

This isn't just a loan closing – it's the culmination of a journey that tested Nathan's resolve, broadened his perspective, and ultimately led him to exactly where he was meant to be.

The Lesson

Nathan's story reminds us why we love working with entrepreneurs in the restaurant industry. It's not just about the numbers on a spreadsheet or the collateral on a balance sheet. It's about dreams, persistence, and the willingness to adapt when the path isn't straight.

Sometimes the best deals are the ones that don't happen the first time around. Sometimes you need to explore other options to truly appreciate the right opportunity when it comes back around.

Nathan didn't just get a loan today – he earned it through months of dedication, exploration, and unwavering commitment to his entrepreneurial vision.

Welcome to restaurant ownership, Nathan. Mickey Piggs is lucky to have you.

About Mickey Piggs BBQ

Mickey Piggs BBQ has been serving "the finest genuine hickory smoked barbecue since 1994" in Alto, Georgia. Located at 256 Anderson Circle, this family-owned restaurant is ranked #1 of 3 restaurants in Alto on TripAdvisor and has built a loyal following for their authentic Southern barbecue, famous Brunswick stew, and homemade desserts.

The restaurant was recognized as a 2024 Best of Georgia Honorable Mention Winner for Barbecue Joints, and continues to draw both locals and tourists to the charming foothills of North Georgia.

Connect with Mickey Piggs BBQ:

At sbaloansHQ, we don't just fund businesses – we fund dreams. Nathan's journey from January to August shows us that the best entrepreneurial stories aren't always the shortest ones, but they're always worth the wait.

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