Shane’s Rib Shack in Covington is holding their annual Rib Giveaway on May 16. The first 100 guests at Shane’s Rib Shack on that day will receive a free half rack of slow-cooked baby back ribs, a 20-ounce beverage and special edition Rib Giveaway T-shirt in honor of the official month of BBQ.

Shane’s has seen strong growth throughout the last year, and according to Technomic’s 2014 Top 500 chain restaurant report, sales for fast casual chains grew by 11 percent and store count by 8 percent.

“We provide our loyal customers the best-tasting, all-American barbecue in a restaurant that has vast ties to the community and provides an inviting atmosphere,” says Shane Thompson, president and founder of Shane’s Rib Shack. “We know we are different than larger national brands because of our simple philosophy of great food and great people. If we execute on that, we gain great financial returns. We are not looking for the next big marketing scheme and our growth shows both our Franchise Partners and guests appreciate that simple model.”

As a thank you to its fan base and the communities in which the restaurant serves, Shane’s Rib Shack will host its seventh annual Rib Giveaway.

“The support from the communities we serve makes it easy for us to do what we do every day. The Rib Giveaway provides us the opportunity to show our gratitude to all of our customers who have made Shane’s Rib Shack what it is today,” continues Thompson. “We founded Shane’s Rib Shack in a tiny shack in McDonough, Georgia 13 years ago. Our fans have enabled us to open 72 locations since then, 6 more by year end, and we couldn’t be more grateful.”