Crave satisfies hot dog, beer craze in Bethel Park
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Shannon and Brian Schlatterer are the proud owners of the first Crave franchise in Pennsylvania. The Upper St. Clair couple opened their business on July 9 in the new Parkside Center located at 2401 South Park Road in Bethel Park.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Shannon Schlatterer explains the beer wall at Crave to Tina King during the grand opening of the eating establishment in the Parkside Center off South Park Road in Bethel Park.
By Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Lilly Ann and Pippa King give Crave Hot Dog and BBQ thumbs up.
By Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ is now open in the Parkside Center located at 2409 South Park Road in Bethel Park.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Samantha Rincione (right) and her 9-year-old grandson, C.J., peruse the menu while waiting in line at the grand opening of Crave Hot Dogs and BBQ .
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Samantha Rincione tries the cole slaw while her 9-year-old grandson, C.J., samples a hot dog and mac n’ cheese during the grand opening of Crave.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Customers eager to try hot dogs, BBQ and beer line up for the grand opening of Crave, located in the Parkside Center, 2409 South Park Road in Bethel Park.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Brian Schlatterer escorts a patron to her seat where she will enjoy one of the free hot dogs given away during the grand opening of Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ in Bethel Park.
Frankly speaking, Crave is satisfying a hot dog hankering in the region.
“Fabulous,” said Susan Baux.
Baux attended the grand opening of Crave Hot Dogs and BBQ in the Parkside Center in Bethel Park with her 9-year-old grandson, C.J.
“Excellent,” said Marianne Sovik. “I like any kind of food, but I love hot dogs, and these are very tasty. Really, really good,” she added.
Rave reviews like those are music to the ears of Brian Schlatterer. The Upper St. Clair resident purchased the franchise with his wife, Shannon, after toiling more than two decades in the food and restaurant industry.
“I have made a lot of money for other people over the past couple of years and I thought it was time to make money for myself,” he said. “I’m super excited about going into my own adventure.
“It’s been crazy busy and people have been anticipating something coming into this site for two years.”
In April of 2019 ground was broken on the Parkside Center, located at the five-way intersection where South Park, Route 88, Corrigan and Baptist roads converge, but COVID-19 stalled development and occupancy.
It did not, however, slow Crave. The Schlatterer franchise is the first location in Pennsylvania. Schlatterer anticipates the business will go well because Crave “hopes” to open five or six more locations throughout the city over the next few years.
“The pandemic did not impact us because this is our first location,” he said. “It’s stupendous,” he added of the site. “The amount of traffic and the visibility makes for a great retail area in a great town.”
Samantha Rincione agreed. The CEO, who founded Crave with her husband, Brian, said the location was great. “The traffic alone it brings is phenomenal,” she said.
“We are very excited about coming to Pennsylvania, and we are thrilled for Brian and Shannon. They are amazing especially because of the experience they bring to the table. We feel they are going to do well in this market.”
The crowds Crave drew on July 9 indicate success. More than 60 customers lined up well before the shop opened at 11 a.m. Thus, the store also went through its first giveaway in less than an hour. One hundred free hot dogs were gobbled up by to the initial customers. Raffles were conducted throughout the day.
“We are so excited to bring Crave to Pittsburgh and this entire concept. It’s so new to this area, especially in Bethel Park,” said Shannon Schlatterer. “I think we need something like this.”
Shannon said that ever since COVID hit, she and Brian had tried to go out and get something to eat after 9 p.m. and it was difficult because many businesses had reduced their hours.
“Nothing’s open,” she said.
Crave’s hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday as well as Sunday. Friday and Saturday hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Crave, which is one of the fastest-growing BBQ and hot dog chains in America with over 50 units, features an array of hot dogs and beer as well as pulled chicken and pork, smoked brisket sandwiches, sliders, salads, bowls and platters along with classic BBQ sides.
Shannon said the food “sold” her on the business venture.
“Brian was way into this and I said, ‘There is no way I am going to do this unless I can try the food.’ So we flew to the closest franchise, which was in Atlanta,” she explained.
“Sam and Sal were amazing. They were great in explaining everything (about the franchise), but I still wanted to try the food. When I did, it was absolutely amazing. I fell in love.”
Consumers will relish the beer wall. Each location features one. At a self-serve beer wall, customers can choose as much or little as they like and pay for only what they drink
Crave in Bethel Park features 18 brews on tap, two wines and four mixed drink options.
“The beer wall is amazing,” Shannon said. “I am not a huge beer fan, but I love the ciders, wines and mixed drinks. That is why we chose what we did as opposed to 24 beers. So I think our customers will be really excited about the wall and the options.”
Tina King of Bethel Park found her ale quite tasty. She sampled a chocolate-flavored beer to accompany her taco trio.
“This one was good,” she said. “You could taste the chocolate.”
King said that she are her husband, Stephen, are beer drinkers. While she prefers the Corona and Blue Moon brands, her taste has expanded to include IPAs.
“I love the way the beers are here. The beer wall and the variety of food certainly are a draw. I’d definitely come back, and when I told my husband about the beer wall he was excited. He’ll check it out without the kids.”
King brought her two children, Lilly Ann, 8, and Pippa, 13, to the grand opening.
“It’s so good,” said Lilly Ann. “I can eat two or three (hot dogs). Depending. Usually two though.”
Pippa, who enjoyed a tater-tot bowl, said while she doesn’t like hot dogs, she “liked everything else they had” on the menu. “I am very impressed,” she said.
King was pleased, too. She works in a doctor’s office near Ruthfred Market and is happy there is more competition in the area.
“My 8-year-old loves hot dogs so what better place to check out. It has a little bit of everything for everyone. So this place popping up gives us more options. It is great for getting something quick for lunch or bringing something home for dinner after work if you don’t want to cook, especially if your children are into sports.”
Baux and Sovik just couldn’t get enough. They vowed they would return.
“I definitely will return,” Sovik said.
“Absolutely,” added Baux. “They have done a really, really nice job.”
Shannon and Brian Schlatterer were not high school sweethearts but the Upper St. Clair pair shared a passion for food and family that they have parlayed into their latest business adventure.
The couple purchased a Crave Hot Dogs and BBQ franchise and opened for business on July 9 at the Parkside Center, located at 2401 South Park Rd. in Bethel Park.
“We have built a great team and a great family here,” said Brian. “We have great friends and family and people who love us.”
Shannon and Brian have known each other for years.
“Brian has a twin,” explained Shannon. “I was more friends with his brother than him.”
A gymnast, Shannon graduated from USC in 1997 then earned an associates degree in business management from Robert Morris University before working as a general securities principal for Citizens Investments.
A soccer player, Brian graduated from USC in 1997. After attending Johnson & Wales University in Providence, R.I. he embarked on a career in the food and restaurant industry before acquiring the Crave franchise, the first in Pennsylvania.
“This is my passion. My life,” Brian said. “When we found this location, I wanted to get on it right away.”
Shannon needed some time to warm up to the idea of being a co-owner of a business with her husband.
The couple have four children: Frankie, 13; Madison and Jaxson, both 11, and Morgan, 9. Shannon’s mother, Denise Major, shares in the caregiver duties.
“My mom has been amazing because she has been watching the kids,” said Shannon. “Family is everything to us and it makes me cry to think how she has been there for us, especially during the opening, which has been a stressful week. She’s our No. 1 fan.”
A BBA and hot dog restaurant, Crave features smoked brisket, pulled chicken and pulled pork that are offered in sandwich or taco form as well as 100% all-beef hot dogs, brats, and hot/mild Sausages. The shop also specializes in chicken wings, loaded tater tots and brisket bowls.
Shannon recommends the mac and brisket sandwich, the beer cheese and the tacos. “They are delicious, especially if you get the trio,” she said.
In the future, the store hopes to provide live music, trivia nights, bingo, family game nights as well as coloring books and crayons for its youngest diners.
A self-serve beer wall, featuring 24 beverage options from ales, IPAs, wines, ciders and mixed drinks, is another draw at Crave.
“The beer wall makes it unique and all of our smoked meats,” said Shannon. “People also appreciate our food. It’s very good. There is nothing else like this around here.”
Craves is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday as well as on Sunday. Friday and Saturday hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.