Tom Eggerud – Building a BBQ Franchise Legacy in Eagan, Minnesota

Tom Eggerud, a Dickey’s Barbecue Pit franchisee based in Eagan, Minnesota, has owned and operated his location since 2010. Tom started with a single store and built a business that is deeply rooted in hands-on leadership, strong community ties, and a strong catering focus. Over the years, he has grown his restaurant locations into a stable operation that is well established as consistent, customer-focused, and local community-centric. 

Finding the Opportunity

Tom entered franchising to fill a large gap he identified – a lack of quality barbecue in the Twin Cities market. He discovered Dickey’s Barbecue Pit at an expo and decided it had strong potential in brand recognition and restaurant category. He visited the corporate office in Dallas, Texas and met with the leadership team which reinforced his confidence in that decision. He then moved forward with opening his location. 

Opening and Some Early Challenges

Tom opened his restaurant in Eagan in a location that he was previously operating his coffee shop out of. This allowed for a smoother renovation process; however, there were some operational challenges that occurred while launching in a Minnesota winter. This caused some initial growth to be slower at the start, but gradual. The business steadily gained traction by building a loyal customer base over time. 

Expansion, Consolidation, and Refocus

With Tom’s early success, he expanded into multiple locations. May of these locations that Tom had taken ownership of, required significant operational turnaround. Managing underperforming locations eventually became unsustainable due to inconsistencies in operation from previous ownership. Tom made the strategic decision with Dickey’s leadership to consolidate back to a single store in Eagan which proved to be pivotal. 

With a renewed focus on one location, Tom was able to return to a hands-on leadership style. He shifted back to a customer-first emphasis, operational consistency within his four walls, and disciplined marketing. This resulted in a stronger, more stable business that was built on quality and attention to detail. 

Catering as a Growth Engine

Catering became one of the most important drivers of Tom’s business success. Tom and the Dickey’s Barbecue leadership recognized that catering offered a high probability with relatively low additional labor requirements. Tom invented heavily into building this segment of the business. 

At its peak, catering represented a significant portion of total revenue for Tom which helped balance in-store dining with off-premise business. He implemented strategic marketing efforts that included traditional advertising, community engagement, and targeted promotions. Tom says that this was fundamental in expanding awareness and demand in his area. He has a dedicated focus on catering operations which allowed his business to scale efficiently while maintaining strong standards in customer service. 

Building a Reliable, Long-Term Team

Tom attributes his long-term success to many things but one major contributing factor that he states helped him along the way was his ability build and retain a dependable team. His employee turnover has remained low over the years, with sever team members having stayed with him for over a decade. This stability has helped create operational consistency. This has been a big contributor to his business running smoothly from day to day. 

Tom says that he values respect, trust, and long-term relationships to build his team culture. This approach, according to Tom, has fostered the loyalty of his team members and creates a strong internal foundation that supports both customer service and business growth.

Deep Community Connections

Community involvement has played a key role in establishing his restaurant as a local staple in Eagan. He participates in local events such as the International Food Festival as well as partners with local organizations that have. He says that this community engagement has helped strengthen the brand’s visibility and reputation in Eagan.

This Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is obviously a great dining option, but tom also advocates for his restaurant to be an active part of the local community. Tom says that it is important to contribute to local events and support local organizations. He says that this helps him to build lasting relationships with local residents and businesses. 

Family Influence and Long-Term Vision

Tom has kept his family close during his business journey. His children have been involved in the restaurant in varying degrees over the years. His son, Aaron, has shown ongoing interest in returning to take a larger role in the future which Tom hopes to cultivate for the benefit of his business in the future. This is connection that has reinforced a sense of continuity and long-term vision of the business. 

This combination of family values and business ownership has created a foundation that supports both operational stability and generational potential. 

Guidance for Franchise Ownership

Tom's experience shows how important it is to be and active franchise owner. He shows care for his customers and employees by engaging with them directly. He truly values the community around him which has helped him succeed in this business model. Tom still believes that passive ownership just isn’t a good idea; consistent effort and presence are necessary. His point of view stresses that long-term success comes from dedication, hard work, and a willingness to stay involved in every part of the business. 

Looking Ahead

Tom continues to remain focused on strengthening his catering operations and will continue to maintain a strong dine-in restaurant experience. He says that while he is content with the success he has achieved, he looks to continue looking for opportunities to refine his operations, deepen his community connection, and of course, sustain steady growth. 

What Tom’s All About

Tom Eggerud’s journey with Dickey’s Barbecue Pit reflects the impact of his persistence, adaptability, and a strong hands-on leadership style. He places a strong emphasis on catering, building team loyalty, and deep community engagement. He has developed a resilient and successful business in Eagan, Minnesota and we don’t see him slowing down any time soon with his long-term commitment and operation focus.