Dickey's Barbecue Pit is an American family-owned barbecue restaurant chain based in Dallas, Texas,[3][4][5][6] and is a subsidiary of Dickey's Capital Group.
Since Travis Dickey established the restaurant in 1941,[7] it has become the largest barbecue franchise in the United States and worldwide.[8]
History
In 1941, Travis Dickey founded Dickey's Barbecue Pit in Dallas, Texas (original location: 4610 N Central Expy, Dallas, Texas, which is still in operation as of 2017[9]). The restaurant began franchising in 1994.[10][11]Roland Dickey Jr. was appointed CEO of the restaurant chain in 2006.[12] Technomic named Dickey's Barbecue Pit the "Fastest-growing restaurant chain in the country" in 2012.[13] That year, QSR Magazine included Dickey's Barbecue Pit on its list of "Best Franchise Deals."[14]
Dickey's Barbecue Pit established its Barbecue, Boots & Badges Foundation (Now The Dickey Foundation[15]), a charity foundation for law enforcement officers and firefighters, in November 2014.[16] Fast Casual included the restaurant on its list of "Top 100 Movers and Shakers: Restaurants" in May 2014.[17]
In 2015, Ernst & Young recognized Roland Dickey Jr. as Entrepreneur Of The Year Award Winner in the Southwest Region.[18]
In 2017, Laura Rea Dickey was named chief executive officer of Dickey's Barbecue Pit. She managed under the umbrella of Dickey's Capital Group, the parent company of Dickey's Barbecue Pit brand.[19]
In 2018, the company opened its first international location at the Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.[20] This location resulted from a franchising deal with operator Serenity Hospitality, based in Abu Dhabi. In a collaborative effort, the company and Dickey's customized its menu for locals, adding offerings such as smoked lamb and beef sausages.[21] The second international location opened in Dubai in March 2019.[22][23]
The first Dickey's Barbecue Pit in Singapore opened in its Central Business District in March 2021. The franchise is a ghost kitchen concept in the Central Kitchen Co., a contactless food court across from the city's Cross Street Exchange.[24]
In April 2021, the chain expanded to Japan, starting in Tokyo, with plans to open a restaurant in every major city in the country.[25] The Tokyo restaurant is located in the Kamiosaki District of Shinagawa-ku and offers limited dine-in seating as well as takeout and third-party delivery. It will be operated by the Japan Barbecue Franchise Company's owner, Sunsheng (Jason) Lin.[26]
In April 2022, the chain expanded into Canada, starting in Edmonton, Alberta. The restaurant offers a wide variety of Halal options and is owned by local entrepreneurs Mohammed Hussain and Sadia Khan.[27]
Dickey's Barbecue Pit is a fast-casual restaurant that serves beef brisket, pulled pork, pork ribs, Polish sausage, spicy cheddar sausage, hot link, and chicken.[10][28] The restaurant chain smokes its meat on-site over wood-burning hickory pits.[29] Additionally, Dickey's Barbecue Pit serves home-style sides including fried okra, jalapeño beans, green beans with bacon, waffle iron fries, barbecue beans, Caesar or garden salad, macaroni and cheese, corn on cob, and onion tanglers.[29] The same recipes have been used since the restaurant was established in 1941.[29]
Franchising
The restaurant began franchising in 1994.[10] By January 2017, Dickey's Barbecue Pit Franchise had more than 483 restaurant locations in 43 states.[30] The restaurant hosts "Barbecue U," an intensive, three-week session for franchise owners and operators.[12] Dickey's Barbecue Pit customizes franchise restaurants based on location.
Dickey's differentiates its franchise from other restaurant franchise companies by offering what it calls "six revenue streams", listing them as: Dine-In, Catering, Online Ordering, Outside Delivery, Retail Items, and Holiday Meals.[31]