text: As a happy toddler sitting on a cafe table, Brian Stricklin grew up in the shadow of a local, greasy spoon in his hometown of Moulton, Alabama. He has spent his life gaining knowledge of customer service in the food industries that employed him throughout his youth. From dishwasher, busser, waiter, side-cook and grill cook, Brian has done it all during his 25+ years in the restaurant business. Brian’s journey in the steakhouse industry began with seven years of employment with a locally owned establishment that led him to a collaborative endeavor with two co-workers to help open a steakhouse in Danville Al. Even when he was working in other occupations, the business has always been in his blood.
  After marrying his wife Misty in 2004, the couple developed a business plan as part of her master’s degree thesis from Montana Tech University. The Brandin’ Iron Steakhouse finally became a reality with its grand opening on May 9, 2006. Nestled in the West Point community, Brandin’ Iron Steakhouse came to life as word-of-mouth family-owned establishment and the delicious food drew in customers from surrounding counties.
  “Misty's father came up with the name while sewing a leather saddle one night. We were all at home rattling around possible names for the restaurant when, after hours of brainstorming, her dad said call it Brandin Iron! And so our adventure began,” Brian said.
  Managing the restaurant truly was a family affair. Misty juggled her job with a Department of Defense contractor on Redstone Arsenal with that of helping to run the couple’s new endeavor. In just six short years of growth and blessings in their business, it was time to expand. The east side of Cullman called on Brian and Misty to locate in the Fairview community.
  “The Fairview mayor and his wife pitched the location to us and the next chapter started,” Misty said.
  Brian broke ground on the new location in 2012 and went straight to work. The project was handled entirely by Brian and his friends. He purchased excavation equipment and developed the location into what you see today. Thousands of hours were spent pouring concrete, building walls, booths, and a secret movable wall that opens to enlarge a dining room for large parties. The endeavor took them sixteen months to complete, and they opened their second location on June 6, 2014.
  Running one restaurant is an all-consuming endeavor. After opening the second restaurant, Misty resigned her position at the Arsenal to devote all her energies to help run the family business. Brian manages the day-to-day activities at the Fairview steakhouse while Misty manages the West Point location.
  At both Brandin’ Iron Steakhouse locations, silhouettes of cowboys canvas the walls and waiting room floor. The Old West theme is continued throughout the three dining rooms. Black iron works and ranch accessories compliment the combination of wooden and tin walls, giving customers an old-timey feeling. Brandin’ Iron Steakhouse can easily seat up to 215 people or more. The Stricklins are very thankful for God’s blessings, one being the number of customers that have come to the restaurant from all over Alabama and the surrounding states.
  “We love our business and our customers. Through the years we have served celebrities such as Lucas Black, Shannon Doherty, Holly Marie Combs, and Hank Williams Jr. We have to say thanks for all the lives we have had a privilege to be a part of through Brandin Iron. And looking back as a kid that cut his teeth on a cafe table. I'm looking forward to the next bite out of life or a thick-cut steak,” said Brian.
  Brian & Misty have created a legacy through Brandin Iron Steakhouse by becoming servants to two great communities. After all the welcome and support the community has given, the Stricklins hope to have something distinctive to contribute back to the communities for many years to come.