GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - Restaurateur Floyd ‘Sonny’ Tillman, the founder of the Sonny’s BBQ chain, has died, according to posts from family and friends on social media.

Family members shared on Monday that Tillman died overnight in his sleep, surrounded by family. He was 96 years old.

His wife, Lucille Tillman , died in 2021 at the age of 91.

In 1968, Tillman founded Sonny’s BBQ in Gainesville with a restaurant on Waldo Road. Nine years later, the company started franchising its beloved barbecue menu.

Tillman sold his company to investors in 1988. It had nearly a hundred restaurants in multiple states. Bob Yarmuth purchased the company in 1991; he remains the owner and CEO.

In addition to his love of barbecue, Tillman was well known for his support for the University of Florida’s

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