Today we’re excited to be connecting with Austin Underwood again. If you haven’t already, we suggest you check out our prior conversation with them here.
Austin, always such a pleasure connecting with you and thank you for sharing your stories, insights and inspiring messages with our community. We’re looking forward to getting the download and what you have been up to since our last interview, but first can you briefly introduce yourself to folks who might have missed the prior conversation.
Hi, I’m Austin Underwood and proud to be one of the first business owners in the state of Texas with Down Syndrome. I own a Hot dawg food in Fort Worth, Austin’s Underdawgs. I travel all over the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex catering events and serving the best hot dawgs from my Dawgmobile with my Mom, Jan.
Alright, so our main goal today is to give our audience an update on what you have been up to since our last conversation. We’d love to hear how things are going and what you are most looking forward to or excited about these days.
Austin is 46, but he looks and acts more like a bouncy 21 year old. He was born with Down Syndrome. Although he has not been able to excel in academics, he can cook and loves to do so!
Austin’s grandmother taught him to make her special Banana Pudding. Austin not only succeeded in making it, he turned it into a menu item at Campisi’s where he has worked for 12 years. Austin also dreamed of being a chef, but it wasn’t an easy journey. His mother, Jan, found a vocational college program. Austin was able to learn the skills to become a prep chef, but more importantly, he learned how to live on his own.
In 2016, Austin’s Underdawgs launched and became an overnight success. Austin’s perseverance has been a key factor in his success. Now in 2025, Underdawgs has sold over 92,000 Dawgs and launched the Underdawgs Franchise opportunity. His mother, Jan, saw the need for others with intellectual differences to have opportunities for meaningful employment and the need for a living wage. Independence is difficult to achieve if your job only pays minimum wage. Jan designed the Underdawgs model with parents, family or support person in mind. The key is being able to control your schedule and not have the schedule control you. Austin needs support in maintaining the financial operations of Underdawgs, but most importantly, driving! Jan has to drive to most of the events.
Our first franchise, Awesome Underdawgs was signed in October, 2023. The franchise began operations in conjunction with a local school district as a Vocational Training tool for their transition students. The successful partnership has expanded in creation of a nonprofit, Awesome Abilities, with parent, Mary Harmon, the Director.
We are actively seeking a new franchisee in the Dallas area. Our sales have exploded and we can’t take care of all the requests. We see 2025 as being a banner year.
In January 2024, TCU created a documentary about our family and projects. PBS aired it in the DFW market in April and then again in October, which was Down Syndrome Awareness Month. The response was tremendous and we have participated in many speaking engagements. The Underdawgs documentary is a wonderful, uplifting tool for creating awareness and inclusion for all.
Now as the wedding approaches in May, 2025, we look forward to selling thousands of Underdawgs as the “Celebrity Couple” with Jenny on board!
We also want to give folks a chance to get to know you a bit better so we’ve prepared a fun lightning round of questions. Ready?
- Favorite Movie: Grease
- Favorite Book: Rudolph
- Favorite TV Show: WWE Wrestling
- Favorite Band or Artist: George Strait
- Sweet or Savory: Sweet
- Mountains or Beach: Beach
- Favorite Sport (to watch): Football
- Favorite Sport (to play): Bowling
- Did you play sports growing up (if so which ones): Baseball, Football, Swimming, Basketball, Golf
- As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up: A chef
- French Fries or Onion Rings: French Fries
- Chuck Rhodes or Bobby Axelrod: N/a
- Favorite Cartoon growing up: Jetsons
- Favorite Childhood movie: Back to the Future
- Favorite Breakfast Food: Egg Sandwich
What would the perfect day look like for you? Please give us as many details as possible.
The perfect day will be my wedding day! My fiancé, Jenny and I are getting married in May of this year. We have been dating for 4 years and engaged for a year. She is the love of my life and I can’t wait for her to be my wife.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.austinsunderdawgs.com
- Instagram: @austinsunderdawgs
- Facebook: @austinsunderdawgs
- Twitter: @aunderdawgs
- Other: https://vimeo.com/thirteenmedia/underdawgstrailer
Image Credits
Mike Lewis Photography
Jill Johnson Photography
