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ROUND LAKE — On Q BBQ is under new ownership in Round Lake, and it’s a familiar face to many.
Former owners Bruce and Jody Bentele sold the business, including the restaurant, catering and recipes, to Kourtney Pederson in early July.
Pederson grew up in Worthington and worked at Graham Tire for 23 years. In 2019, he went to work for the Benteles at On Q BBQ, and remained there until April 2021, when he moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to help a friend open a restaurant.
While away, Pederson realized he was homesick and heard about the opportunity to buy On Q BBQ, located at 149 Main St., Round Lake.
“I kinda want to do this, yeah I can do this,” he said of the idea.
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He returned to southwest Minnesota, bought the restaurant and is very glad that On Q BBQ has such a great following and loyal customers.
Pederson plans to continue catering for events and special occasions. The catering manager is Steph VandeKamp, and the head chef is Jack Espinosa. Along with about five other employees, Pederson helps with just about everything inside the restaurant.
While Pederson is not planning to make any big changes with the restaurant or the menu soon, he does have some ideas he’d like to incorporate eventually.
“Probably after the busy season ends,” he said, noting he’s planning to add more outside signage, and hopefully be open five days a week in the future.
