Billy the Down-Home Man with Big-Time Plans
By: Katie Frankhart
The BD’s Mongolian Barbeque turned Ford’s Garage franchise king and Detroit native shares his journey to Chairman. He talks about how his career as an industry leader has prepared him for the role and offers members insight into his top three goals for supporting them and the organization in 2023.
“The post-pandemic environment continues to be fun and challenging!”
Putting the “BD” in Mongolian Barbeque
A working man since his first odd jobs starting at age 11, Downs was already finding his footing in the restaurant industry by the time he entered high school at Detroit Catholic Central High School.
“I grew up with hospitality all around me; my grandparents owned a catering company, and I had uncles in the business. Together, they taught me what hospitality was all about,” Downs shares as he reflects on his start in the industry.
In 1984, Downs set off for the Michigan State University School of Hotel and Restaurant Management, where he met his wife, Amy. By 1987, the junior at MSU was London-bound for a hospitality internship at the Prince of Wales Freehouse (Pub) in Beaconsfield, England. The opportunity would ultimately lead him to Matthew Kirby, a UK restaurateur and Downs’ future business partner. “Matthew and I hit it off right from the start. Matthew, a London School of Economics graduate, is wicked smart and fun to work with.”
Billy Downs (along with Kirby and another investor) opened the first BD’s Mongolian Barbeque Grill in Royal Oak. Under his leadership, the BD’s franchise system became a tremendous success, growing to 37 restaurants across 12 states in the USA
and a “non-profit” franchise unit in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
“Reintroducing Mongolian Barbeque back to Mongolia was one of the most challenging and rewarding parts of my career.”
Downs served as president and CEO of BD’s Mongolian Barbeque until its sale to Kinderbrook holdings in May 2008 and remained an advisor to the president and a board member through December 2011. For the next five years, Downs split his time between restaurant and business consulting, serving on boards, and working with the international humanitarian organization, World Vision. Although Downs had stepped away from his first taste of franchisee fame, he wouldn’t stay away for long. His next opportunity was on the horizon, and it wasn’t far from home.
“The post-pandemic environment continues to be fun and challenging!”
Putting the “BD” in Mongolian Barbeque
A working man since his first odd jobs starting at age 11, Downs was already finding his footing in the restaurant industry by the time he entered high school at Detroit Catholic Central High School.
“I grew up with hospitality all around me; my grandparents owned a catering company, and I had uncles in the business. Together, they taught me what hospitality was all about,” Downs shares as he reflects on his start in the industry.
In 1984, Downs set off for the Michigan State University School of Hotel and Restaurant Management, where he met his wife, Amy. By 1987, the junior at MSU was London-bound for a hospitality internship at the Prince of Wales Freehouse (Pub) in Beaconsfield, England. The opportunity would ultimately lead him to Matthew Kirby, a UK restaurateur and Downs’ future business partner. “Matthew and I hit it off right from the start. Matthew, a London School of Economics graduate, is wicked smart and fun to work with.”
Billy Downs (along with Kirby and another investor) opened the first BD’s Mongolian Barbeque Grill in Royal Oak. Under his leadership, the BD’s franchise system became a tremendous success, growing to 37 restaurants across 12 states in the USA
and a “non-profit” franchise unit in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
“Reintroducing Mongolian Barbeque back to Mongolia was one of the most challenging and rewarding parts of my career.”
Downs served as president and CEO of BD’s Mongolian Barbeque until its sale to Kinderbrook holdings in May 2008 and remained an advisor to the president and a board member through December 2011. For the next five years, Downs split his time between restaurant and business consulting, serving on boards, and working with the international humanitarian organization, World Vision. Although Downs had stepped away from his first taste of franchisee fame, he wouldn’t stay away for long. His next opportunity was on the horizon, and it wasn’t far from home.
A down-home man with big-time plans
By 2016, the Detroit native was plucked as the first franchisee of Ford’s Garage, a Florida-based restaurant that pays tribute to Motor City legend Henry Ford. The restaurant was looking to expand its concept closer to its home roots, and Downs was the perfect down-home man for their big-time plans.
The Original Ford’s Garage is located in Historic Downtown Ft. Myers, Florida, just minutes from where Henry Ford and Thomas Edison spent their winters. The restaurant brings a 1920s service station feel to a modern-day neighborhood prime burger and craft beer joint. It’s filled with Ford memorabilia, from vintage gas pumps and original Model T and Model A cars, and boasts a large selection of American Craft Beer.
“The first time I walked into a Ford’s Garage, I was blown away! The brand is amazing and has so much depth, history, and authenticity.”
In 2017, Downs became the proud owner and operator of the first Ford’s Garage franchise in a building just west of Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn. It was an instant success, and plans for four more locations opening in Metro Detroit quickly took shape.
This year, Downs opened his second Ford’s Garage restaurant in Fountain Walk in Novi, a 9,000-square-foot restaurant that employs over 100 people.
“We are so excited to bring Ford’s Garage to Novi,” Downs shares. Amy and I have lived here since 1995. We love the community,enjoyed raising our family here, and now can’t wait to serve others here as well.”
Downs is focused on two things: operating and expanding the Ford’s Garage franchise in Michigan and serving as Chairman of the MRLA. Downs also has past board experience serving as the alumni executive board of directors for MSU’s Eli Broad School of Hospitality Business, the advisory board for Goldfish Swim Schools, the operator advisory board for Technomic in Chicago, and the Boys and Girls Club of South Oakland County. Last year, Downs earned his MBA from The University of Notre Dame and finished first in his class.
“We are so excited to bring Ford’s Garage to Novi,” Downs shares. Amy and I have lived here since 1995. We love the community,enjoyed raising our family here, and now can’t wait to serve others here as well.”
Downs is focused on two things: operating and expanding the Ford’s Garage franchise in Michigan and serving as Chairman of the MRLA. Downs also has past board experience serving as the alumni executive board of directors for MSU’s Eli Broad School of Hospitality Business, the advisory board for Goldfish Swim Schools, the operator advisory board for Technomic in Chicago, and the Boys and Girls Club of South Oakland County. Last year, Downs earned his MBA from The University of Notre Dame and finished first in his class.
As for his latest role as the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association’s Chairman of the Board, Downs says he is hyper-focused on fighting for Michigan’s hospitality industry. He lists three main goals for his year-long term: lead with passion every day, support the amazing team of MRLA staff, and fight for MRLA members and Michigan’s hospitality industry.
At the end of the day, Billy Downs isn’t all business. He’s a passionate coach for business leaders, aspiring young professionals, college students, and high school basketball players. The restauranteur lives in Novi with his wife Amy and is the proud father of three children — two daughters and a son, all Michigan State Spartans. He is also an accomplished multi-sport athlete, including dozens of marathons and 13 Ironman Triathlon finishes, including the 2008 Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.
To sum up his approach to his work and his life, Billy shares this: “Life is short and fragile. Every day is a gift. Make the most of it!”
At the end of the day, Billy Downs isn’t all business. He’s a passionate coach for business leaders, aspiring young professionals, college students, and high school basketball players. The restauranteur lives in Novi with his wife Amy and is the proud father of three children — two daughters and a son, all Michigan State Spartans. He is also an accomplished multi-sport athlete, including dozens of marathons and 13 Ironman Triathlon finishes, including the 2008 Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.
To sum up his approach to his work and his life, Billy shares this: “Life is short and fragile. Every day is a gift. Make the most of it!”
