OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Harp Barbecue announced its last day of business will be Saturday.
Founder Tyler Harp says multiple factors made the decision for him.
“A low number of employees for a long time, a low number of customers, obviously everything is super expensive, revenue’s low," Harp said.
In an Instagram post, the restaurant thanked everyone who has supported the business from Independence to Raytown and Overland Park.
Harp said he sold barbecue in his Independence driveway for three years before opening a pop-up at Crane Brewing in 2019 in Raytown.
He later opened a standalone restaurant in 2022 in Raytown before moving to Overland Park.
Harp said between then and now, beef prices have tripled for him.
The United States Department of Agriculture says beef prices increased 3.1% between March and April, and predicts beef prices will increase 12.1% in 2026.
“It was a run, and I’m proud of what we were able to do, and you know, I’m not upset or anything like that, it’s just kinda the way the world’s turning right now," Harp said.
The restaurant ranked as one of the top BBQ restaurants in the city in KSHB 41's 2023 Kansas City BBQ Draft.
Harp said he is still figuring out what comes next.
"We’re going to take some time and reflect — spend some time with my family and enjoy life for a month or two, relax and unwind, get back to it one way or another," he said.
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