QSR: Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Announces First International Deal

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Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, the largest barbecue chain in the world, brings authentic, Texas-style barbecue overseas. The brand has partnered with acclaimed Middle Eastern hospitality group, Serenity Hospitality, LLC to bring 45 Dickey’s locations to seven countries throughout the Middle East.

“My family started Dickey’s in 1941 and since then we have grown the Dickey’s brand exponentially, turning it into a household name nationwide,” says Roland Dickey, Jr., CEO of Dickey’s Capital Group. “We have been searching for the perfect partner to be the first to take our company international and I believe we have found that in Serenity Hospitality. They see the vision we have for the future of Dickey’s and will be an integral part of that. We greatly look forward to this partnership and the success that Dickey’s will see in the Middle East.”

Dickey's Barbecue Pit began as a small barbecue joint in Dallas, TX in 1941 by Travis Dickey.

Today, Dickey's Barbecue Pit is still owned and operated by the Dickey family who is proud to share their brand and slow-smoked barbecue with families across the nation.

Serenity Hospitality is led by Chief Executive Officer Youssef El Habbal who has over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry with a heavy focus on concept development and franchise operations.

“At Serenity Hospitality, LLC we take pride in owning innovative Food and Beverage concepts. After doing much research of high-quality American brands, we found that Dickey’s business model, menu options and future plans aligned perfectly with what we were looking for,” says Youssef El Habbal, CEO of Serenity Hospitality, LLC. “A company’s values and heritage are extremely important to us, and Dickey’s long family-owned history along with their promise to serve only the best food to their guests meet the values that we look for in a partner.”

At Dickey's, the Pit is the most important member of the team as it is the heart and soul of Dickey's delicious slow-smoked barbecue.

Dickey's Barbecue Pit not only prides themselves on their slow-smoked, Texas-style barbecue, but also their authentic, down-home atmosphere.

The 45 international Dickey’s Barbecue Pit locations are slated to opened in seven countries throughout the Middle East including United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Lebanon. The first locations are planned to open in 2018 in the UAE.

“Dickey’s Barbecue Pit looks forward to the value this expansion brings our current owners and national operations,” says Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. “Having the opportunity to work with such experienced partners such as Serenity Hospitality says much about the quality, strength and future of our delicious barbecue and our ever growing brand.”