Leesburg

Willy Buck’s Backyard Grill to Debut First Brick-and-Mortar Location

The food truck-turned-restaurant will serve smash burgers, barbecue, loaded fries, and more.

Image courtesy of Willy Buck's Backyard Grill.

LEESBURG, FL — Willy Buck’s Backyard Grill is preparing to open its first brick-and-mortar location in mid-June at 1317 S. 14 Street, Leesburg, FL 34748. Owner Michael Brown told Business Debut the restaurant is tentatively targeting June 11th, with the possibility of opening one week later if needed.

The restaurant is opening in the former Dairy Ranch space, a longtime Leesburg restaurant that Brown said served the community for about 50 years before sitting vacant for roughly three years. The building also includes a drive-thru.

What to Expect

Willy Buck’s Backyard Grill will bring Brown’s smash burger and barbecue concept from food truck service into a quick-service restaurant setting. Brown said guests can expect counter ordering, self-ordering kiosks, food brought to the table and a typical service time of about five to eight minutes.

The restaurant is expected to have about 30 to 40 seats inside, with upbeat music, TVs for sports and a future goal of adding beer and wine service, Brown told Business Debut.

Photos courtesy of Willy Buck's Back Yard Grill.

The menu centers on smash burgers, barbecue and buildable combinations of the two. Brown said guests can order double or triple smash burgers with American cheese, grilled onions, brisket, pulled pork, chopped chicken, coleslaw, mac and cheese, cream cheese, jalapeños and other toppings.

Signature items include the Big Mac Burger, made with a single or double patty, American cheese, mac and cheese, brisket, barbecue glaze and bacon crumbles. The menu will also include Big Mac Willys and Backyard Willys, which Brown described as hot dogs or sausages topped with pulled pork, brisket, mac and cheese, coleslaw, onion rings and other add-ons.

Sides will include honey cornbread, collard greens, cabbage, rice, loaded fries and onion rings. Brown said the honey cornbread can also be served as a dessert when grilled with honey glaze and topped with ice cream.

The concept grew from the food truck Brown and his wife, Shanrika Lee-Brown, launched in June 2025. Brown said the Rock Church in Leesburg played a major role in helping the business grow, including booking events and supporting fundraisers that helped the couple get the food truck started.

Brown said a media specialist at the church helped create videos featuring Willie, the brand’s talking pig mascot. The name combines Willie the pig with Brown’s nickname, Buck.

Brown also shared that he was homeless when he met Shanrika Lee-Brown six years ago after going through a divorce. He said the two bonded by cooking for each other during their dating season, which helped shape the food business they are building now.

Brown said his restaurant background includes 12 years with Popeyes, where he started as a chicken seasoner and later became a general manager and trainer. He also worked as a district manager for McDonald’s and spent five years with Chipotle, where he said he learned more about fresh ingredients and food preparation.

The food truck will continue to operate for events and catering. Brown said he is also looking for investors as he works toward opening five locations within the next three years, with Wildwood already being eyed for a future brick-and-mortar location.

Images courtesy of Willy Buck's Back Yard Grill.

Opening Timeline

Willy Buck’s Backyard Grill is targeting June 11th for its opening, with a mid-June opening planned if the date shifts by a week, Brown told Business Debut.