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From Dallas to Abu Dhabi and beyond, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is on the move.

America’s love of authentic Texas barbecue is almost bigger than the state’s beating heart, and we can thank Dickey’s Barbecue Pit for jump-starting one of the most delicious trends in the fast-casual space. With over 550 restaurants in the US, expansion around the world underway, and smart moves in the fast CPG sector, the family owned iconic brand is hotter than ever.

The eponymous third generation family enterprise is the largest BBQ restaurant franchise in the world. Founded in 1941 by Travis Dewey Dickey Sr., Dickey’s today serves up the same jubilantly comforting flavors of hickory smoked meats that Travis first plated at his original barbecue stand in Dallas.

That’s no small feat, considering that the key to great barbecue is time. When it comes to working the pit, impatience garners nothing but heartache and empty tables. But by merging innovative back of the house technology with traditional open pit expertise, Dickey’s stays relevant, on trend, and atop the competition.