Midland Reporter-Telegram: Dickey’s set to expand

From Midland Reporter-Telegram:

Dickey's Barbecue Pit is getting a new neighbor.

 

After Burgers, Fries and Cherry Pies left its location on Wadley Avenue near Loop 250 last year, Dickey’s expanded 10 feet into the space in mid-January, adding about 25 seats to its busy west Midland restaurant, according to manager Amanda Brooks.

The remaining space has been leased by Fresh Fit Meals, which plans to open its first Midland location by the end of summer, according to General Manager Derrick Jernigan.

Jernigan said the company signed its lease about two months ago but had planned for a Midland expansion since it opened in Odessa in January 2015.

“We’ve always looked at expanding,” Jernigan said. “At about the time we opened (the Odessa) store, we were looking to move to Midland.”

Fresh Fit Meals offers “chef-inspired cuisine on the go,” according to the company’s website. Customers can choose their meals from a refrigerated case, heat and serve at their leisure. Meals are “nutritionally balanced” and are “fresh, never frozen.”

The Midland store will have an additional feature not found in Odessa.

“(In Midland), we’re going to have a hot service line, so you’ll be able to get hot sandwiches and wraps,” Jernigan said. “We’ll still have the same meals that we have here. We’ll have a cooler where people can go in and pick their meals. Pretty much the same process.”

Jernigan said the new store won’t be without an old favorite: Smoothies.

“Everyone comes in for our smoothies,” he said.

Fresh Fit Meals is open to the public, but it also offers partnerships with corporate clients.

Companies can partake in the Corporate Wellness Program, a co-pay program that encourages healthier eating. Jernigan said the program helps keep employees happier, more energetic and cuts down on sick days because it gives them an opportunity to eat healthy, non-processed food.

Employees can come into the store or can have their food delivered by Basin Delivery, a third-party delivery service.

Fresh Fit Meals has about 50 corporate clients in Odessa, and it’s looking to more than double that tally when the store opens in Midland, Jernigan said.

All in all, “We're really excited, about heading to Midland,” Jernigan said.

As for Dickey’s, expansion plans also are in the works. Brooks said the company will open two more locations: one at ClayDesta near Texas Burger and another on Rankin Highway near Interstate 20.