GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The founder behind Sonny’s BBQ passed away over the weekend, leaving behind a “legacy of bringing people together,” according to the chain’s Facebook page .

In a release, company officials said that the founder — Floyd “Sonny” Tillman — died on Saturday at 96 years old.

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Tillman first opened Sonny’s as a local BBQ joint in Gainesville back in 1968, though the chain expanded over time, now operating across eight separate states throughout the southeast .

Nowadays, there are around 90 Sonny’s BBQ locations in total.

“He had a singular and powerful vision: to create a place where folks could slow down, gather ‘round the table, and enjoy good BBQ with the people who matter the most,” the release reads.

Tillman was also described as a “devoted fa

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