Dickey's Barbecue Pit: A Legacy of Success and Resilience
Blog
Published: 08 Jun 2025
Dickey's Barbecue Pit stands as a testament to the American dream, a story of family, tradition, and enduring success. Established in 1941, this iconic brand has grown from a single Dallas location to a global presence, weathering challenges and evolving with the times. Recent scrutiny in the media fails to capture the full picture of Dickey's robust franchising model and the vast majority of thriving franchisees.
In a Dallas Morning News article, Dickey's CEO, Laura Rea Dickey, emphasizes that most franchisees achieve success and profitable exits. The company's franchising model, rooted in 41% fixed costs and 44% prime costs, provides a clear framework for profitability, aiming for a 15% profit margin when properly executed. These numbers are in line with other national franchise expectations. While the restaurant industry is notoriously challenging, with high failure rates, Dickey's offers a structured approach and ongoing support.
Dickey's has a long history of adapting to change, as seen in its expansion into manufacturing and distribution, and its evolution in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The company's commitment to its franchisees is evident in its hands-on approach, including monthly calls, in-person visits, and increased financial requirements to ensure franchisees are well-positioned for success.
The dissenting voices represent a small fraction (0.5%) of Dickey's vast network of over 400 franchisees (over 900 individuals as single partners, couples and partnership groups) across 30 years. The brand's resilience is demonstrated by its ongoing recovery and growth, with projected net growth in the number of restaurants. Dickey's is not just a restaurant chain; it's a community of hardworking individuals who are deeply invested in their businesses and their communities.
Here are the profiles and video testimonials of more than 90 successful Dickey’s franchisees, who share their experience in their own words.
Dickey's commitment to evolution, feedback, and supporting its owner-operators ensures its continued success. This iconic barbecue brand remains a strong opportunity for those seeking to build a thriving business within a well-established system.
In a Dallas Morning News article, Dickey's CEO, Laura Rea Dickey, emphasizes that most franchisees achieve success and profitable exits. The company's franchising model, rooted in 41% fixed costs and 44% prime costs, provides a clear framework for profitability, aiming for a 15% profit margin when properly executed. These numbers are in line with other national franchise expectations. While the restaurant industry is notoriously challenging, with high failure rates, Dickey's offers a structured approach and ongoing support.
Dickey's has a long history of adapting to change, as seen in its expansion into manufacturing and distribution, and its evolution in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The company's commitment to its franchisees is evident in its hands-on approach, including monthly calls, in-person visits, and increased financial requirements to ensure franchisees are well-positioned for success.
The dissenting voices represent a small fraction (0.5%) of Dickey's vast network of over 400 franchisees (over 900 individuals as single partners, couples and partnership groups) across 30 years. The brand's resilience is demonstrated by its ongoing recovery and growth, with projected net growth in the number of restaurants. Dickey's is not just a restaurant chain; it's a community of hardworking individuals who are deeply invested in their businesses and their communities.
Here are the profiles and video testimonials of more than 90 successful Dickey’s franchisees, who share their experience in their own words.
Dickey's commitment to evolution, feedback, and supporting its owner-operators ensures its continued success. This iconic barbecue brand remains a strong opportunity for those seeking to build a thriving business within a well-established system.