In 1941, Travis Dickey founded Dickey’s Barbecue Pit in Dallas, Texas. The restaurant began franchising in 1994. Roland Dickey Jr. was appointed CEO of the restaurant chain in 2006. Technomic named Dickey’s Barbecue Pit the "Fastest-growing restaurant chain in the country" in 2012. That year, QSR Magazine included Dickey's Barbecue Pit on its list of "Best Franchise Deals." Dickey's Barbecue Pit established its Barbecue, Boots & Badges Foundation, a charity foundation for law enforcement officers and firefighters, in November 2014. Fast Casual included the restaurant on its list of "Top 100 Movers and Shakers: Restaurants" in May 2014.. A noticeable event in Dickey's Barbecue Pit's history was when Lonzo Ball was once seen holding a Dickey's "Big Yellow Cup" in an interview with NBA legend Isiah Thomas. In 2015, Ernst & Young recognized Roland Dickey Jr. as Entrepreneur Of The Year Award Winner in the Southwest Region. In 2017, Laura Rea Dickey was named Chief Executive Officer of Dickey's Barbecue Pit, and falls under the umbrella of Dickey's Capital Group, the parent company of the Dickey's Barbecue Pit brand. In 2018, the company opened its first international location at the Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
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. The restaurant chain smokes its meat on-site over hickory wood-burning pits. Additionally, Dickey's Barbecue Pit serves home-style sides including fried okra, jalapeno beans, green beans with bacon, waffle iron fries, barbecue beans, Caesar or garden salad, macaroni and cheese, corn on cob, and onion tanglers. The same recipes have been used since the restaurant was established in 1941.
Franchising
The restaurant began franchising in 1994. By January 2017, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Franchise had more than 483 restaurant locations in 43 states. The restaurant hosts "Barbecue U," an intensive, three-week session for franchise owners and operators. 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.
