Meet PJ Patel - Bringing Big Barbecue Flavor to Blakely, Georgia

PJ Patel is really focused on building community in his small town, Blakey. For PJ, opening a barbecue restaurant in Blakely wasn’t just about starting a business. He wants to bring something new and excited to the people of his small town home. 

As a member of the Dickey's Barbecue Pit family, PJ is passionate about serving Legit.Texas.Barbecue™ while creating a welcoming place for the community to gather. He hopes to create a space for his local community to enjoy great food and make memories together.

Bringing Something Different to Blakely

PJ and his family always knew they wanted to invest in their hometown in a meaningful way. After exploring different opportunities, barbecue stood out as the perfect fit.

“We’re from a small town and we always wanted to bring something different for the community,” PJ shared. “Something our community doesn’t have. I personally love barbecue, so I wanted to bring that to the community as well.”

That passion for great food and community connection made Dickey’s the right choice.

“Dickey’s Barbecue is a great place to be, with great food, so it’s been a great experience.”

Learning the Recipe for Success

Opening a restaurant takes dedication, preparation, and the right support system. PJ says the training experience played a major role in helping him feel confident and prepared for ownership.

“So, I had a good instructor for one, so that helped a lot,” he explained. “Learning how to get things planned and how to start each day with a plan. I think that was the best part.”

When we asked PJ was he gained from training, he said that he learned valuable insight into daily operations, leadership, and the systems needed to build a successful business.

“Basically, it’s what you need to do to be successful and how it needs to be done to make your own business successful.”

Advice for Future Franchise Owners

For anyone considering franchise ownership, PJ keeps his advice pretty simple:

“Plan, plan, plan. That’s the way to keep everything moving like it should.”

That mindset of preparation and consistency is already helping shape the future of his restaurant and his role within the Blakely community.

A New Barbecue Destination in Blakely

With a love for barbecue and a commitment to his hometown, PJ Patel is excited to bring authentic slow-smoked flavors and genuine hospitality to Blakely, Georgia. His journey is a reminder that great food has the power to bring communities together — especially when it’s served with passion and purpose.

About Dickey’s Barbecue Pit

Known for authentic, slow-smoked Texas barbecue, Dickey's Barbecue Pit has been serving guests Legit. Texas. Barbecue.™ for decades with signature smoked meats, savory homestyle sides, and family-friendly hospitality.