Lebanon Democrat: Barbecue pit brings Texas flair to Lebanon

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Lebanon is home to a new Texas-style barbecue joint as Dickey’s Barbecue Pit officially opened its doors Thursday.Ron Burkett spent the last 10 years traveling the country as a corporate trainer for Safety-Kleen when he noticed and fell in love with a rising barbecue chain based in Texas – Dickey’s Barbecue Pit.

"We are thrilled to have Ron and Tricia Burkett join the Dickey's Barbecue Pit family," said Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey's Barbecue Pit. "With franchisees like the Burketts, who are passionate about the art of great barbecue, the Dickey's brand will continue to be successful and grow."

Burkett said the desire to live closer to his job and the love of Dickey’s drove him to open his own restaurant in the chain, making the Lebanon location one of 600 nationwide Dickey’s locations and the fifth in Tennessee.“One thing I love about Dickey’s is the consistency,” said Burkett, who said the chain still uses many of the same recipes and routines as the original Dickey’s Restaurant, started in 1941 by Travis Dickey in Dallas.

Burkett and his wife moved to Lebanon five years ago and noticed the state’s fascination and addiction to pulled pork left a void for Texas-style brisket, which he said is the signature barbecue dish in the state.

When he made the decision to open a location in Lebanon, the company sent him to Dallas for its Barbecue University, a month-long training program that teaches potential franchise owners how to run the store and cook the meats.

Burkett and his staff held a family and friends night Wednesday to prepare the staff for Thursday’s opening. He said family of Dickey’s staff attended, along with emergency service personnel in the area.

In the next four weeks, Dickey's will offer Thirsty Thursdays where guests will receive a free big yellow cup with free refills all day; Philanthropy Fridays where guests who donate to Dickey's charitable foundation, Barbecue, Boots and Badges, will receive a gift card as thanks for their donation, and all uniformed first responders also receive 50 percent off their meal; Giveaway Saturdays where guests can register for a chance to win free barbecue for a year; and Kids Eat Free Sundays where children eat free with an adult purchase of $10 or more.

In 2016, Dickey's was first on Fast Casual's "Top 100 Movers and Shakers" list and in 2017 again won a top 10 on the list. Entrepreneur Magazine, Franchise Times and Nation's Restaurant News also recognized Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants.

For more information and updates, follow Dickey’s BBQ Pit-Lebanon, Tennessee on Facebook, call 615-549-0033 or visit dickeys.com.