Kansas City doctor opens a meaty enterprise

A physician tries his hand at one of his hometown's most famous offerings -- barbecue.

By Katherine Vogt, AMNews staff. Aug. 9, 2004.

Making sidelines pay
Doctors who branched out beyond running their practice tell why they did it, how they did it, and what you should know before you do it. Contribute

Name: Russell Fiorella, MD

Specialty: Pathology

Location: Kansas City area

Business: Smoke Stack BarBQ, a full-service restaurant serving a range of barbecue food. His father started the business in 1957 with one restaurant. Now there are six restaurants in the Kansas City area, all owned by family members.

Annual revenue: More than $1 million.

Why he started the business: Dr. Fiorella opened the restaurant in 1998, after he was already established in his medical career. "I've always wanted to be a physician; that's my first vocation. But I always thought this was kind of an interesting sidelight. I grew up in it. And I have my MBA, so I have some sort of business acumen. Also, it sort of honors my father's memory, and it provides a financial vehicle for my children's education." One of his business partners, William DePond, MD, is also a pathologist.