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IN THE NEWS

View the full article <a href="https://1851franchise.com/3-steps-franchisees-should-take-to-make-a-franchise-their-own-2708085#author">here</a> .
With the purchase of a franchise, unit owners are gaining access to a proven system that needs to be adhered to in order to achieve financial and organizational success. That being said, franchisees have ample opportunity to draw on their own experiences to give their business a personal touch while still operating within the required parameters. Taking steps to execute their business plan and define their vision within the established framework provided by franchisors challenges franchisees to be unique in service offerings and cater to the entrepreneurial ambition that led them to franchise ownership in the first place.
 
First, franchisees should make every effort to embody the brand’s mission on a unit level to dictate what is expected of employees, leading by example. “I run my stores with the understanding I need to be at my best every day,” said Bill Zimmerman, a Dickey’s Barbecue Pit franchisee with locations in Kenosha, Wisconsin and Gurnee, Illinois.
 
“I treat the people on my team with respect and do everything I can to make sure they understand the business and what the franchise is about. I also place tons of emphasis on customer service and delivering on what our guests want,” he added.
 
Franchisees must also seize the opportunity to define processes and innovate creatively in the areas where available. Jana Frank, a Mathnasium franchisee in Oak Park, Illinois, found room for personal input within the after-school learning franchise’s business model and made the most of it. “I’m very lucky to be part of a franchise that provides flexibility in how I’m allowed to run the classes offered at my center,” Frank said.
 
Previously a classroom teacher, Frank was given a specific curriculum and procedures she was required to follow but used her teaching background to define specific methodology and approaches for her teachers to use. Additionally, Frank developed new programs to add to her center’s offering.
 
“Mathnasium’s core program serves students in grades 2 through 8. I added preschool and high school programs as well as programs for adults going back to school to address math needs at every level,” Frank said.
 
Further, franchisees benefit greatly from the personal impact that comes from community involvement. The community in which a franchise operates is unique to each unit, so franchisees should capitalize on this point of differentiation to make the franchise their own.
 
“Connecting with the community was very important to me from the minute I opened,” Zimmerman said. To do so, he instated discounts for police officers, firefighters and veterans, and partnered with a local school to begin an internship program for people with intellectual disabilities. “It’s a huge part of what I do and also represents the spirit of what I see Dickey’s Barbecue Pit doing on the corporate level,” he added.
 
Frank agreed, saying, “Establishing relationships with both parents and students has really helped my business become a part of the community. When you focus the service you provide on fostering those kinds of connections, the local impact is strong.&nbsp;

1851 Magazine: 3 Steps Franchisees Should Take to Make a Franchise Their Own

View the full article <a href="https://1851franchise.com/3-tips-on-picking-the-right-franchise-for-you-2708033">here</a> .&nbsp;
The wealth of options and information available on thousands of different franchise opportunities can be daunting for anyone considering taking the plunge into franchise ownership. From the very beginning all the way throughout the assessment process, it’s imperative that prospective franchisees know how the brands they are considering signing on with fit with their unique needs and expectations.
 
Finding the right franchise brand is just as much an emotional decision as it is a financial one, but with the proper approach, any prospective franchisee can arrive at the ideal match.
 
Do your research
 
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit franchisee Bill Zimmerman said that when he made the decision to leave his career in truck logistics to start his own business, he knew he needed to sign on with a franchise that was well-established but also poised for growth. Zimmerman began his search by turning to the internet, every prospective franchisee’s best friend during this important discovery process.
 
Uncovering and weighing quantitative metrics provided in a franchise brand’s FDD, including statistics regarding revenue model, turnover and consumer satisfaction, is an integral step in the process of selecting a franchise that best fits one’s means and business goals.
 
“I took a lot of time to learn about the history, growth prospects and opportunities of each brand I was considering,” he said. “When I had an idea that Dickey’s Barbecue Pit was the brand for me, I started visiting locations and calling stores across the country. I contacted 7 or 8 owners and each shared something different.”
 
Code Ninjas franchisee Christina Lazar employed a similar tactic in her pursuit to provide her tech-minded son with an extracurricular activity that engaged and challenged him. &nbsp;
 
“There were no kids’ coding centers in our immediate area, so I explored all of my options by flying out to centers across the country to assess the franchise opportunities,” she said. After looking at several different models, Lazar, a former classroom teacher, knew the key to finding the best option for her was in the details of the curriculum.
 
“Code Ninjas was fun and engaging above all else. The curriculum was developed in a cohesive, evolving manner so a beginner could learn incrementally, which stood out from the piecemeal offerings from other kids coding franchises,” Lazar said.
 
Consider your role
 
Before deciding on a franchise, prospective owners should conduct their own personal evaluation to nail down how involved they want to be in the business. Deciding between a hands-on role versus employing a general manager to handle day-to-day operations matters when it comes to the franchise selection process.
 
“I knew I wanted to be a part of a franchise that allowed me to use my background in management and gave me the ability to make decisions to affect the success of my stores,” Zimmerman said.
 
“Prospective franchisees need to ask themselves whether they want input or need a turnkey model that they just plug into,” Lazar noted. “As one of Code Ninjas’ first franchisees, the turnkey model was pretty much negated. We wanted input, feedback opportunities and to be a part of the development side of the operation,” she added.
 
Engage your passion
 
Franchisees gain the most out of ventures in entrepreneurship with franchise brands when they have an active personal interest in their business. Those exploring franchise ownership should consider themselves and how a brand represents them. Meshing with the franchisee community and exemplifying or identifying with brand values leads to an emotional investment that inspires success.
 
“As a former classroom teacher and independent business owner of a tutoring center, kids, education and my son’s future made sense,” Lazar said. “Being passionate about the franchise I was opening allowed me to push through obstacles and bumps in the road.”
 
For Zimmerman, his passion for barbecue was a significant factor in his decision-making process. “I had been doing my own smoking for 20 years prior and had a great love for barbecue,” he said. “Being able to deliver a product that led to guests’ satisfaction was of great importance to me."

1851 Magazine:  3 Tips on Picking the Right Franchise for You

View the full article <a href="https://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/dickey-s-barbecue-pit-giving-back-local-first-responders">here</a> .&nbsp;
The Dickey Foundation, the Dickey’s Barbecue Pit charitable organization, sets out to support local first responders across the nation. This year, participating Dickey’s Barbecue Pit locations are seeking donations from guests the week surrounding National First Responder Day, October 28.
 
From October 26 to November 2, Dickey’s guests can donate to their first responders at their local Dickey’s location and receive a “badge” to sign and hang on the wall.
 
“At Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, we are honored to have the privilege of working closely with our first responders and giving back to them in any way we can,” says Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. “The Dickey Foundation has recently taken on amazing initiatives that could only be carried out with the support and donations of our community, including outfitting our local Dallas Police Department with top of line ballistic vests, supporting our Houston neighbors after Hurricane Harvey and much more.”
 
To receive the “badge”, guests are encouraged to donate $1 at participating Dickey’s Barbecue Pit locations. Guests always have the opportunity to donate to The Dickey Foundation supporting local first responders online or in-store.

QSR: Give Back With Dickey's

View the full article <a href="https://www.fastcasual.com/news/dickeys-fires-up-canadian-expansion/">here</a> .&nbsp;
Dickey's Barbecue Pit will expand into the Canadian market for the first time in late 2019, bringing Texas barbecue to 20 stores in Edmonton, Alberta, Calgary, Alberta, Regina, Saskatchewan and Saskatoon, according to a company press release.
 
This follows Dickey's Barbecue Pit opening its first international Dickey's restaurant location in Abu Dhabi earlier this month. The Abu Dhabi location is the first of 45 Dickey's restaurants across the Middle East that will be operated by Serenity Hospitality, a Middle Eastern hospitality group. The group plans to open and operate Dickey's franchises in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Lebanon.
 
"Consumer confidence continues to increase, and people are willing to let others handle the cooking," said Roland Dickey, Jr., CEO of Dickey's Capital Group. "The fact that Dickey's is able to expand at this rate internationally without taking any private equity is a testament to hardworking Dickey's franchisees, both nationally and internationally, Dickey's Barbecue Pit commitment to quality, and to our ability to find the right partners."
 
Dickey's Barbecue Pit has been in operation for 77 years and remains a privately held, third-generation family-owned business with more than 500 locations across the United States. In addition to expanding into Canada and across the Middle East, Dickey's Barbecue Pit is opening six locations in October across the U.S., including in Hawaii.
 
The first international Dickey's Barbecue Pit location in Abu Dhabi is operated by Serenity Hospitality and led by its CEO, Youssef El Habbal, who has more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry. The restaurant features an open kitchen, so customers can watch the pit masters at work.
 
The menu has been customized for customers in Abu Dhabi and includes Dickey's barbecue favorites including 14-hour slow-smoked beef brisket, smoked chicken and turkey and savory sides, such as mac and cheese, barbecue beans and creamy spinach. New dishes include beef ribs, an array of beef sausages and a regional favorite — smoked lamb. Three state-of-the-art smokers that use hickory wood have all been imported from the United States to bring a taste of authentic Texas barbecue to the Middle East, according to the release.

Fast Casual: Dickey's Heads North

View the full article <a href="https://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/dickeys-selling-family-packs-halloween">here</a> .&nbsp;
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit offers guests more time to spend trick-or-treating and less time in the kitchen with a Dickey’s Family Pack.
 
On October 31, guests can purchase a Family Pack with $5 off at participating Dickey’s locations in-store.
 
“At Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, we pride ourselves on offering our guests convenient options, especially on busy holidays such as Halloween,” says Trevor Wilson, VP of Marketing at Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. “With our Family Packs, guests can focus on what is important, spending time with their friends and family.”
 
The Dickey’s Family Pack includes the guests’ choice of two slow-smoked meats, three medium wholesome sides, six buttery rolls and barbecue sauce.

QSR: Dickey's Packs for Halloween

View the full artcile <a href="https://www.verdictfoodservice.com/news/dickeys-barbecue-enter-canada/">here</a> .&nbsp;
American family-owned restaurant chain Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is set to enter the Canadian market with the opening of its first store late next year.
 
The restaurant chain has plans to open 20 stores in two cities in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
 
Dickey’s Capital Group CEO Roland Dickey Jr said: “Consumer confidence continues to increase, and people are willing to let others handle the cooking.
 
“The fact that Dickey’s is able to expand at this rate internationally without taking any private equity is a testament to hardworking Dickey’s franchisees, both nationally and internationally, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit’s commitment to quality, and to our ability to find the right partners.”
 
“Dickey’s Barbecue Pit will also open six new locations across the US this month.”
As part of its international expansion, the company opened its first location in Abu Dhabi earlier this month.
 
The restaurant features an open kitchen and offers a range of customised menu items including slow-smoked beef brisket and smoked chicken and turkey, along with sides such as mac and cheese, barbecue beans and spinach.
 
Dickey’s Barbecue has also announced plans to open 45 restaurants across the Middle East in partnership with Middle Eastern group Serenity Hospitality.
 
Under the partnership, Serenity will open and operate Dickey’s franchises in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Lebanon.
 
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit will also open six new locations across the US this month, marking the company’s entry into Hawaii.

Verdict Foodservice: Dickey’s to enter Canada in 2019

View the full article <a href="https://www.texasmonthly.com/bbq/bbq-news-roundup-sausage-tips-tootsie-tv-bbq-fest/">here</a> .&nbsp;
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, the Dallas-based chain, will expand internationally, with 20 stores planned for Canada and 45 across the Middle East in 2019.

Texas Monthly: Barbecue News 

View the full article <a href="https://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/dickey-s-expands-texas-athens-opening">here</a> .&nbsp;
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit continues to expand in their home state of Texas with a new location slated to open in Athens, Texas, in early 2019. The location will be opened by new Dickey’s franchisee, Matt Hurst and his parents Robert and Stacy.
“Dickey’s Barbecue Pit has been family owned and operated since 1941 and we consider each of our owners as a part of our family,” says Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. “We are always proud when we have new owners join our team, especially when they are opening in our home state.”
With more than 20 years in the restaurant industry, Matt looks forward to bringing Dickey’s slow-smoked barbecue to the residents of his hometown of Athens
“Athens is in need of a barbecue option like Dickey’s that offers guests only the highest quality, slow-smoked meats,” says Matt. “My parents and I chose to open a Dickey’s franchise because of their rich history and strong support of their franchisees.”

QSR: Dickey's Expands with Athens Opening 

View the full article <a href="http://www.restaurantnews.com/dickeys-says-mahalo-to-local-first-responders-101818/">here</a> .&nbsp;
One week after the opening of the first Dickey’s Barbecue Pit in Hawaii, owner Danny Mabalot thanked his local first responders by inviting them to lunch at his new location. Three local fire departments, police departments and EMS were in attendance.
 
“At Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, we pride ourselves on being an integral part of the community and especially giving back to those that risk their lives to keep us safe,” says Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. “I am honored to have such an amazing turnout at our first responder event at our Hawaii location and look forward to seeing the store’s future success and Danny’s continued commitment to first responders.”
For this event, Danny worked closely with The Dickey Foundation, Dickey’s charitable organization that sets out to support those that protect us.
 
“The Dickey Foundation was created to support the brave men and women who keep our nation’s communities safe,” says Maurine Dickey, Founder of The Dickey Foundation. “I had the pleasure of attending the Hawaii first responder event and truly enjoyed meeting the first responders from the Kapolei area.”

Restaurant News: Dickey's Says "Mahalo" to Local First Responders 

View the full article <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/laura-rea-dickey-keynote-at-adriatic-aws-innovation-days-2018-1027631329">here</a> .&nbsp;
Dickey's Barbecue Pit Chief Executive Officer, Laura Rea Dickey, is a keynote speaker at the Adriatic AWS Innovation Days 2018 hosted in Croatia.
This event is co-hosted by iOLAP, a partner of Dickey's Barbecue Pit and Amazon Web Service (AWS). The Innovation Days will focus on cloud-based journeys and the latest technological advancements and innovations from AWS.
Laura Rea Dickey, wife of Roland Dickey, Jr., the third generation Dickey's owner, joined the Dickey's Barbecue Pit family in 2008 as the Chief Information Officer where she implemented many technological advancements to the brand including creating Smoke Stack, Dickey's data warehousing system. As Dickey's continued to expand, Roland Dickey, Jr. became the CEO of Dickey's Capital Group, while Laura Rea transitioned to CEO of Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc.
"At Dickey's Barbecue Pit, we are constantly trying to learn more about our guests to tailor our messages and serve them in the best way," says Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. "I am looking forward to speaking with and learning from all of the folks that will be at the Adriatic AWS Innovation Days."

Markets Insider: Laura Rea Dickey Keynote at Adriatic AWS Innovation Days 2018 

View the full article <a href="http://www.abudhabiconfidential.ae/food-and-drinks/dickeys-barbecue-pit-now-open-at-yas-mall/">here</a> .&nbsp;
If you are a fan of smoked meat, you should check out this new spot in Abu Dhabi.
Coming straight from Texas, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit opened their first restaurant in 1941 in Dallas. Forward a few decades and they have now become an institution in the US with more than 600 outlets spread over the country. &nbsp;The brand just opened their very first outlet abroad right here in Abu Dhabi. You can find them at Yas mall, on the first floor at Town Plaza.
What is their concept all about? The answer is in three words: Legit. Texas. Barbecue.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is all about slow smoked meat – fourteen hours in a pit smoker flamed by imported hickory wood – and the menu includes a mix of smoked beef brisket, short ribs, beef sausages (spicy or regular), smoked turkey or chicken. What is interesting is the meat is actually slow smoked and cooked on site and made fresh everyday.
We were lucky to visit the outlet the day before the official launch and had an overview with the outlet team of how Dickey’s Barbecue Pit works and what they will propose on their menu. Georges, the pit master was trained in the US and is very passionate about the way the meat is slow smoked with natural ingredients and recipes passed down for generations.
We got to taste different samples on the menu and they all were definitely tender and perfectly flavored. Our most favorite was definitely the beef brisket that was melt-in-the-mouth tender!
Smoked meats at Dickeys Barbecue PitGuests can either opt for a sandwich – &nbsp;priced between 32 to 36 AED – or go for a meal plate – 54 to 70AED.
The meat plates come with two sides of your choice and a roll. There is a large variety of tempting homemade style sides available such as creamy spinach, barbecue beans, waffle fries, mac ‘n cheese, steamed vegetables, rice, coleslaw and more…
The decor has that distinct Texan feel with dark wood on the walls, industrial lamps and trinkets, large old fashioned posters and black and white photos from the founder and the first outlets in the US. You also have a view of the open kitchen at the back of the restaurant.
This is a no-fuss restaurant, with speedy service, where the whole family will get to taste delicious smoked meats served in a casual style.
Wondering about desserts? You can indulge in something sweet too as the menu includes some American classics such as the carrot cake, cheesecake and brownies to name a few.

Abu Dhabi Confidential: Dickey's Barbecue Pit Now Open at Yas Mall 

View the full segment <a href="https://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/dickey-s-offering-half-pulled-pork-classic-sandwiches-october-12">here</a> .&nbsp;
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit celebrates National Pulled Pork Day with barbecue lovers across the nation by offering half off Pulled Pork Classic Sandwiches in-store on October 12.
 
“At Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, we are known for our slow-smoked pulled pork recipe that has been passed down in the Dickey’s family for generations,” says Trevor Wilson, Vice President of Marketing at Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. “We are proud to share this day with our guests by offering them a great deal on our delicious sandwiches.”
 
Guests receive half off their Pulled Pork Classic Sandwich on National Pulled Pork Day, all day long, in-store at participating locations.

QSR: Dickey's Offering Half-Off Pulled Pork Classic Sandwiches on October 12 

View the full segment <a href="https://fox40.com/2018/10/12/celebrate-national-pulled-pork-day/">here</a> .&nbsp;

FOX40: Celebrate National Pulled Pork Day at Dickey's 

View the full article <a href="https://freestonecountytimesonline.com/fuel-up-your-vehicle-and-yourself-at-fairfields-new-fuel-maxx/">here</a> .
The much anticipated opening of Fuel Maxx in Fairfield has finally come!
Fuel Maxx, located on the southwest corner of Highway 84 and Interstate 45, boasts Chevron Gasoline available 24/7, with Checkers, Dickey’s Barbeque Pit, and Taco Corner restaurants ready to serve the hungry local or traveler. Checkers is also available via drive-through for those on the go.
 
Customers will also find the Wine Rack, filled with a large variety of wines; the Beer Vault, loaded with ice cold beer ready for your party; a coffee bar with a wide variety of flavors to choose from; fountain drinks; a selection of Icee drinks; milkshakes; smoothies; the Ice Creamery cooler with multiple ice cream options, novelty gifts, and clean restrooms.
 
The store celebrated their opening and new platinum membership to the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, October 5, 2018.
 
Buzz Russell of KNES Fairfield was on hand most of the day doing a live remote; and various vendors lined the front sidewalk offering samples of their goods available for purchase inside the store.
 
Co-Owners Nick Momin and Rick Momin, together with Store Manager Sam Charolia, Checkers Operator Sam Miaji, Checkers &amp; Dickey’s General Manager Tracy Lair, and Fuel Maxx &amp; Taco Corner General Manager Sabrina Adams, are excited about what the store has to offer and welcome everyone to come check them out.

Freestone County The Times: Fuel up your vehicle and yourself at Fairfield Fuel Maxx

View the full article <a href="https://www.villages-news.com/grand-traverse-plaza-to-welcome-famed-texas-barbecue-restaurant/">here</a> .&nbsp;
Grand Traverse Plaza will welcome a famed barbecue restaurant to the shopping center near Brownwood.
 
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is expected to make its Villages debut early next year.
 
In 1941, Travis Dickey, a World War II veteran, opened the first Dickey’s Barbecue Pit in Dallas. Dickey was a true Texas character, blessed with the gift of gab and the love of authentic, slow-smoked barbecue
 
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit still slow smokes all meats on-site just the same way they did in 1941. The menu features beef brisket, pulled pork, St. Louis style ribs, polish sausage, spicy cheddar sausage, smoked turkey, and marinated chicken, with an extensive array of homestyle sides from jalapeño beans to macaroni and cheese. Buttery rolls are served with every meal, along with complementary ice cream. Children eat free on Sundays.
 
Roland Dickey Jr. became chief executive officer in 2006, continuing the family tradition.&nbsp;
 
Dickey’s now has 600 locations in 43 states.&nbsp;

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