BEST BUDS BBQ

Best Buds BBQ is a cannabis-friendly barbecue restaurant concept built on three brand attributes: rebellious, rustic, and playful. The brand comes to life through two characters, Smokey the Pig and Reefer the Cow, best friends who anchor the story and set the tone for everything else.

The name does double duty. “Best buds” nods to that friendship, while “buds” points to the infused side of the concept: a barbecue brand made for smokers, where enjoying the meal elevated is part of the experience.

The logo, icons, and typography carry through a full system of merchandising, signage, and promotional designs, so every touchpoint, from the menu board to the merch, feels like it came from the same smoky, slightly mischievous place.

I developed the entire concept from the ground up, from naming and characters to the visual identity and applications, to show how a bold, playful brand can work in a new category.