James Lao Energizes Dickey’s Barbecue with Community Focus in Plano
Press Releases
Published: 10 Jun 2025
Franchisee Revitalizes Historic Location with Operational Excellence and Local Engagement
James Lao, a passionate restaurateur and tech industry veteran, has taken the reins at the iconic Dickey’s Barbecue location in Plano, TX, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the long-standing establishment. James, who has spent over 15 years in the restaurant industry, is revitalizing the Plano Dickey’s with a commitment to operational excellence, community engagement, and growth.
Lao’s decision to enter the restaurant business was deeply personal. “I’ve always had a special place in my heart for Dickey’s,” said James. “Growing up in the Dallas area, I’ve been a loyal customer, and I admire the brand’s legacy and its commitment to quality barbecue. When the opportunity arose to own the Plano location, I knew it was the right fit for me to combine my experience and passion for food with my desire to build a successful business.”
With a career that spans both the restaurant business and technology, James brings a unique skill set to the franchise. After managing a variety of roles in the foodservice industry, including front-of-house and management positions, James transitioned to the tech world, spending over a decade working with OpenTable. There, he gained insights into restaurant technology, marketing, and customer relationship management. However, Lao found himself yearning for more control over his career and a return to his true passion – the food industry.
“I wanted to take my years of restaurant experience and blend it with the modern tools and insights I gained in the tech world,” James explained. “That combination made owning a Dickey’s franchise the perfect opportunity.”
Since taking ownership in November 2024, James has already made significant strides in improving the restaurant’s operations. "My main goal has been to improve the guest experience and streamline our processes. It’s all about operational excellence," Lao stated.
His efforts to introduce new specials, update the menu, and enhance operational efficiency have been well received, as reflected in the positive reviews from customers.
“We’ve seen a lot of great feedback, and that means a lot to me and my team,” James shared.
James’s commitment to the community is also evident. “We’re working hard to make sure the Plano Dickey’s is not only a great place to eat but also a hub for the community,” he said.
“We’re actively exploring ways to get involved with local schools, offering catering services, hosting events, and becoming an even bigger part of what makes Plano special.” Lao is also looking forward to introducing a drive-thru to the Plano location, providing greater convenience for local customers and expanding his restaurant’s service offerings.
Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc., expressed her enthusiasm for James’s leadership. “James has shown tremendous dedication and passion since taking over the Plano location. His ability to combine his restaurant experience with his knowledge of technology is bringing a fresh perspective to the business,” she said. “We’re thrilled to see the positive impact he’s already making in the community and look forward to supporting him as he continues to grow and innovate in the future.”
Roland Dickey, Jr., CEO of Dickey’s Capital Group, also praised James’s entrepreneurial spirit. “James embodies the entrepreneurial drive that has always been at the heart of Dickey’s. His focus on quality, operational excellence, and community involvement aligns perfectly with our brand values. We’re confident that James will continue to thrive as a franchisee and elevate the Dickey’s experience for customers in Plano,” Dickey said.
The Plano Dickey’s is planning a grand reopening celebration once the drive-thru is complete. This event will be an opportunity for the community to experience the new changes and enjoy Dickey’s signature barbecue. James and his team are eager to welcome both longtime patrons and new customers.
“We want to make this grand reopening something special,” James said. “It’s not just about the drive-thru – it’s about celebrating our renewed commitment to the Plano community.”
Founded in 1941 by the Dickey family, Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. is the world’s largest barbecue concept and continues as a third-generation family-run business. For more than 80 years, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit has served millions with its signature Legit. Texas. Barbecue.™ Slow-smoked over hickory wood-burning pits, Dickey’s barbecued meats are paired with a variety of Southern sides. Committed to authentic barbecue, Dickey’s never takes shortcuts — because real barbecue can’t be rushed.
With more than 800 restaurants across eight concepts in the U.S. and several countries, Dickey’s Barbecue Franchise and Dickey’s Restaurant Brands continue to grow under the leadership of Roland Dickey Jr., CEO of Dickey’s Capital Group, and Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. Dickey’s has been recognized on Newsweek’s 2022 "America’s Favorite Restaurant Chains" list, Nation’s Restaurant News 2024 top fast-casual brands for value, and USA Today’s 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards. The brand has also ranked in the Top 20 of Fast Casual’s “Top 100 Movers and Shakers” for four of the past five years. Additional accolades include Entrepreneur’s Top 500 Franchise and Hospitality Technology’s Industry Heroes list. The brand has been featured by Fox News, Forbes, Franchise Times, The Wall Street Journal, and People Magazine.
For more information, visit www.dickeys.com. For franchise opportunities, visit www.dickeysfranchise.com.
James Lao, a passionate restaurateur and tech industry veteran, has taken the reins at the iconic Dickey’s Barbecue location in Plano, TX, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the long-standing establishment. James, who has spent over 15 years in the restaurant industry, is revitalizing the Plano Dickey’s with a commitment to operational excellence, community engagement, and growth.
Lao’s decision to enter the restaurant business was deeply personal. “I’ve always had a special place in my heart for Dickey’s,” said James. “Growing up in the Dallas area, I’ve been a loyal customer, and I admire the brand’s legacy and its commitment to quality barbecue. When the opportunity arose to own the Plano location, I knew it was the right fit for me to combine my experience and passion for food with my desire to build a successful business.”
With a career that spans both the restaurant business and technology, James brings a unique skill set to the franchise. After managing a variety of roles in the foodservice industry, including front-of-house and management positions, James transitioned to the tech world, spending over a decade working with OpenTable. There, he gained insights into restaurant technology, marketing, and customer relationship management. However, Lao found himself yearning for more control over his career and a return to his true passion – the food industry.
“I wanted to take my years of restaurant experience and blend it with the modern tools and insights I gained in the tech world,” James explained. “That combination made owning a Dickey’s franchise the perfect opportunity.”
Since taking ownership in November 2024, James has already made significant strides in improving the restaurant’s operations. "My main goal has been to improve the guest experience and streamline our processes. It’s all about operational excellence," Lao stated.
His efforts to introduce new specials, update the menu, and enhance operational efficiency have been well received, as reflected in the positive reviews from customers.
“We’ve seen a lot of great feedback, and that means a lot to me and my team,” James shared.
James’s commitment to the community is also evident. “We’re working hard to make sure the Plano Dickey’s is not only a great place to eat but also a hub for the community,” he said.
“We’re actively exploring ways to get involved with local schools, offering catering services, hosting events, and becoming an even bigger part of what makes Plano special.” Lao is also looking forward to introducing a drive-thru to the Plano location, providing greater convenience for local customers and expanding his restaurant’s service offerings.
Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc., expressed her enthusiasm for James’s leadership. “James has shown tremendous dedication and passion since taking over the Plano location. His ability to combine his restaurant experience with his knowledge of technology is bringing a fresh perspective to the business,” she said. “We’re thrilled to see the positive impact he’s already making in the community and look forward to supporting him as he continues to grow and innovate in the future.”
Roland Dickey, Jr., CEO of Dickey’s Capital Group, also praised James’s entrepreneurial spirit. “James embodies the entrepreneurial drive that has always been at the heart of Dickey’s. His focus on quality, operational excellence, and community involvement aligns perfectly with our brand values. We’re confident that James will continue to thrive as a franchisee and elevate the Dickey’s experience for customers in Plano,” Dickey said.
The Plano Dickey’s is planning a grand reopening celebration once the drive-thru is complete. This event will be an opportunity for the community to experience the new changes and enjoy Dickey’s signature barbecue. James and his team are eager to welcome both longtime patrons and new customers.
“We want to make this grand reopening something special,” James said. “It’s not just about the drive-thru – it’s about celebrating our renewed commitment to the Plano community.”
About Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc.
Founded in 1941 by the Dickey family, Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. is the world’s largest barbecue concept and continues as a third-generation family-run business. For more than 80 years, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit has served millions with its signature Legit. Texas. Barbecue.™ Slow-smoked over hickory wood-burning pits, Dickey’s barbecued meats are paired with a variety of Southern sides. Committed to authentic barbecue, Dickey’s never takes shortcuts — because real barbecue can’t be rushed.
With more than 800 restaurants across eight concepts in the U.S. and several countries, Dickey’s Barbecue Franchise and Dickey’s Restaurant Brands continue to grow under the leadership of Roland Dickey Jr., CEO of Dickey’s Capital Group, and Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. Dickey’s has been recognized on Newsweek’s 2022 "America’s Favorite Restaurant Chains" list, Nation’s Restaurant News 2024 top fast-casual brands for value, and USA Today’s 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards. The brand has also ranked in the Top 20 of Fast Casual’s “Top 100 Movers and Shakers” for four of the past five years. Additional accolades include Entrepreneur’s Top 500 Franchise and Hospitality Technology’s Industry Heroes list. The brand has been featured by Fox News, Forbes, Franchise Times, The Wall Street Journal, and People Magazine.
For more information, visit www.dickeys.com. For franchise opportunities, visit www.dickeysfranchise.com.