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IN THE NEWS

<div>View the full article <a href="http://www.desertsun.com/story/life/food/2017/09/20/new-dickeys-barbecue-pit-opens-rancho-mirage-week-and-you-could-win-free-barbecue-year/685989001/">here</a>.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Thursday will be a special day for barbecue fans in the desert.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Dickey's Barbecue Pit will open their new location in Rancho Mirage and they'll be celebrating with four weeks of specials and giveaways, including free barbecue for a year for four customers.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“At Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, we pride ourselves on serving our communities authentic, Texas-style barbecue which can only be done with amazing franchisees such as Steven and Haley Frydrych,” Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. said in a news release. “We are thrilled to have this power duo open their new location in Rancho Mirage.”</div><div><br></div><div>Patrons will get three chances to win the free barbecue prize:</div><div><br></div><div>1. In-store: Patrons visiting the store will get a chance to register on Saturday and the owners will choose the winner from a drawing.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>2. Social media: Customers who use the hashtag #1FreeYearOfBBQ on any channel will have a chance to win.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Franchisees Steven and Haley Frydrych smile in front</div><div>Franchisees Steven and Haley Frydrych smile in front of the new Dickey's Barbecue Pit location in Rancho Mirage. (Photo: Courtesy of Dickey's Barbecue Pit)</div><div>3. Sign up: Customers can also register for the prize by signing up for Dickey's Big Yellow Cup Club membership program, in-store or online, specifically listing the Rancho Mirage location as their favorite location. You can register for the Big Yellow Cup Club here.</div><div><br></div><div>Winners will be announced from each contest on Monday.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>But wait, there's more! Patrons will get another chance for the grand prize on September 27 when the Dickey's location will host Roland Dickey Sr., author of the book "Mr. Dickey's Barbecue Cookbook: Recipes from a True Texas Pit Master." Patrons will be able to register that day for another chance at free barbecue.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“We are proud to open our doors in Rancho Mirage and have the opportunity to serve Texas-style barbecue to this amazing community that we call home,” franchisee Steven Frydrych said in a news release.</div><div><br></div><div>More: A new farm-to-table lunch place is opening soon in Indio</div><div><br></div><div>Dickey's will offer four different specials and giveaway opportunities from September 21 to October 15.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Thirsty Thursdays: Patrons will receive a free large drink with free refills all day.&nbsp;</div><div>Philanthropy Fridays: Customers who donate to Dickey's charitable foundation will receive a gift card. On Fridays, all uniformed first responders will also receive a 50 percent off discount on their meal.&nbsp;</div><div>Giveaway Saturday: This is the day folks! Patrons will get an opportunity to register for a chance to win free barbecue for a year. This contest will take place only on Saturday, September 23, so make sure you visit the restaurant that day.&nbsp;</div><div>Kids Eat Free Sundays: Children under the age of 12 will eat for free if accompanied by an adult spending $10 or more on their meal.&nbsp;</div><div>The city of Rancho Mirage will celebrate the grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday at 11 a.m.</div><div><br></div><div>IF YOU GO&nbsp;</div><div>Dickey's Barbecue Pit&nbsp;<br></div><div>42452-4 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage<br></div><div>Hours: Open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.&nbsp;<br></div><div>Phone: 760-851-0955<br></div><div><br></div><div>For more information go to www.dickeys.com</div>        
      

Dickey's Barbecue Pit Opens in Rancho Mirage with Free Food Giveaway

        <div>View the full article <a href="http://www.elliscountypress.com/2017/news/new-restaurants-to-open-in-ferris/">here</a>.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>FERRIS – The need for restaurants within Ferris and the surrounding region is continuing to grow year after year.</div><div><br></div><div>It is a need the Ferris City Council and Economic Development folks have been paying attention to for some time.</div><div><br></div><div>“Consumers are seeking dining, shopping and entertainment in other areas of the metroplex,” said City of Ferris Economic Development Director Sean Overeynder, regarding money currently going out of the city.</div><div><br></div><div>“That’s money that could and should be coming into Ferris instead.</div><div><br></div><div>“As a result of these revenues leaving the city and being spent in other communities for dining, shopping, and entertainment, the City of Ferris is losing needed tax dollars that are vital in sustaining our community’s growth and economy,” Overeynder added.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Enter both a new Taco Bell and a Dickey’s Barbecue Pit. Actually, Taco Bell has been in the works for some time, Overeynder explained.</div><div><br></div><div>“Taco Bell started prior to my arrival, however, when I came in I was able to assist in many areas of the development by providing needed data and analysis to further this development,” he explained.</div><div><br></div><div>The Taco Bell will be constructed by Valley Bell Enterprises and will be built at the Northeast corner of E. 8th Street and Interstate 45.</div><div><br></div><div>This is the former location of Leal’s Tire Shop. Then, through additional recruitment efforts and by showing the greatest benefit for not only these retail sectors, but the community as well, the Department of Economic Development was also able to secure Dickey’s Barbecue Pit as well as a developer for a shopping center along I-45 that will be used as a catalyst for additional growth along this corridor.</div><div><br></div><div>The shopping center will be a phased process with the first phase being approximately 65,000 square feet. The final phase of the projects is expected to be approximately 200,000 square feet.</div><div><br></div><div>Dickey’s Barbecue Pit will be opened by The Catering Guy LLC along Interstate 45.</div><div><br></div><div>It was noted Dickey’s Barbecue Pit wants to capture annually at least $1.2 million of the $15.82 million a year leakage in restaurant sales in the area.</div><div><br></div><div>Not a bad number and, with a location on I-45 that sees about 44,000 cars a day traveling along this route, it is certainly doable.</div><div><br></div><div>Taco Bell anticipates being opened by the end of December 2017.</div><div><br></div><div>Both Dickey’s Barbecue Pit and the Shopping Center are due to break ground January 2018.</div><div><br></div><div>Overeynder said the City of Ferris is continuing to work with additional retailers that will compliment what is already coming to the interstate and will further capture some of the leakage created by unsatisfied demand within the city.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“When I started with the City of Ferris, I began looking at the highest leakage from the city and found that the areas of dining, department stores, clothing stores, grocery stores, and entertainment and recreation were needed to serve a demand that was not being satisfied,” Overeynder concluded.</div>        
      
      

Ellis Community Press: New restaurants to open in Ferris

<p>View the full article <a href="http://www.fesmag.com/editor-picks/15155-dickey%E2%80%99s-barbecue-hits-the-road-with-delivery">here</a>.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>A space once dominated by pizza, deliver is now as diverse as ever. As fewer people walk thru restaurants’ front doors, operators are using delivery to take their products to consumers. Of course doing so is easier said than done. Before getting into the fast lane known as foodservice delivery, operators need to weigh a variety of factors including how to process orders without compromising the in-store guest experience, packaging and more.</p><p><br></p><p>Dickey’s Barbecue represents one of the most recent restaurant concepts to enter the delivery game. The company includes both company and franchisee operated locations throughout the company. Here, Renee Roozen, president of Dickey’s Barbecue, discusses this fast-growing barbecue chain’s approach to delivery.<br></p><p><br></p><p>FE&amp;S: Why is Dickey’s getting into delivery? What’s the company’s goals?<br></p><p><br></p><p>RR: The needs and wants of consumers are changing. People want things when they want them and how they want them. We needed to change to stay relevant in the mind of the consumer. And barbecue travels so well. It stays warm and fresh.</p><p><br></p><p>FE&amp;S: Will this rollout by system wide?</p><p><br></p><p>RR: Right now about 80 percent of our system is signed up with delivery partner. And we are developing our own delivery system in the form of curbside delivery and direct delivery.</p><p><br></p><p>FE&amp;S: How are delivery orders getting to the stores? Via a Dickey’s app? The company’s website? Third-party delivery providers?</p><p><br></p><p>RR: The orders come in a couple of different ways. Consumers that are loyal to third-party vendors like GrubHub can order through there and those orders arrive in our stores via their tablets. And we have links from our website to the third party vendor sites. And if you order from our website it will go directly to our stores. And we are developing an app. We want to be anywhere we can.</p><p><br></p><p>FE&amp;S: Once a delivery order arrives, how does it get processed? Some restaurants prepare the food on the same line, while others have a second line for overflow/catering orders/delivery orders. How’s Dickey’s handling this?</p><p><br></p><p>RR: We use one line no matter how the order comes in to ensure we have fresh, quality food. When the orders come in, when know what time we need to prepare it. It gets shuffled into our regular process.</p><p><br></p><p>FE&amp;S: How do you avoid production bottlenecks?</p><p><br></p><p>RR: It’s all about scheduling and preparation. Any items we can prepare and organize ahead of time we do. In general, you will have a regular business flow. We get great analytics which allows us to plan accordingly. It’s also important for the team members on the line to remain friendly and keep chopping while they interact with customers.</p><p><br></p><p>FE&amp;S: Is Dickey’s using different or special packaging for delivery orders?</p><p><br></p><p>RR: Right now we have not found the need for special packaging. We use high quality packaging but we look at it every couple months to ensure the product remains hot, fresh and looks good.</p>

Dickey’s Barbecue Hits the Road with Delivery Service

<div>With its incredibly strong winds and seemingly relentless rain and flooding, it does not take very long for a hurricane to devastate an area. But the cleanup and restoration of any form of normalcy can take months or even years and will require continued acts of kindness and support. Such is the case for those members of the foodservice industry affected by Hurricane Harvey.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Kommercial Kitchens, a Beaumont, Texas-based foodservice equipment and supplies based dealership experienced about six feet of flooding that kept its owners away from the business for roughly 10 days, according to Shannon Woodard, a company vice president.</div><div><br></div><div>Given the extensive nature of the flooding, Woodard used an airboat to visit his business to assess the damages before the waters receded. Last week he and others from the business, including his father who founded the company in 1991, finally were able to get inside the dealership.</div><div><br></div><div>“We just accessed our building two days ago,” Woodard said during an interview with FE&amp;S late last week. “So we are in the process of emptying it out and setting up temporary offices.”</div><div><br></div><div>Kommercial Kitchens had dealt with flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike in 2008. But even then, the flooding only came to the front door. “I could still drive in back then,” Woodard recalled.</div><div><br></div><div>Even getting to the business is an adventure these days. Normally, it takes Woodard 20 minutes to drive to his business. Due to the roadblocks, flooding and other storm-related detours, Woodard had to take the back roads to get to his business, lengthening his trip considerably. “I could not leave the area I live in for five days because a bridge had collapsed and the river had flooded,” Woodard said.</div><div><br></div><div>The timing of Hurricane Harvey could not have been worse for Kommercial Kitchens, which supplies paper and disposable items, among other things, to a number of schools in the area. “School was starting that Monday (Aug. 28), so our whole warehouse was filled and ready to deliver. Now it looks like a bomb went off,” Woodard said. “We had about $770,000 in inventory and, best case scenario, about $75,000 of that is salvageable. All of your inexpensive stuff sits up real high.”HKommercial-Kitchen4A</div><div>The flood waters ravaged the warehouse at Kommercial Kitchen.</div><div><br></div><div>The dealer has 17 employees, 7 of which were helping with the cleanup. “We have a driveway filled with little forks and cups,” Woodard said.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Some of the dealers’ employees had evacuated prior to the storm and had yet to return to the Houston area. In addition, the homes of seven Kommercial Kitchens’ employees flooded. “They have to deal with their personal issues as well as professional issues,” Woodard said.</div><div><br></div><div>As the cleanup continues, Kommercial Kitchens strives for some form of normalcy. “First thing, is to get our offices up and running. We installed a job Friday night before the storm and have yet to bill that job,” Woodard said. By the end of last week, Kommercial Kitchens had restored its computer systems, a significant step toward resuming business operations.</div><div><br></div><div>Over the weekend Woodard was planning on installing a job. Of course, that was going to be more challenging than usual given that he lost many of his tools in the flooding. Luckily one of the dealer’s delivery trucks survived the flooding.</div><div><br></div><div>What’s the future hold for this first-generation family business? It’s too early to tell. “We had bought some land and were going to build a building at the end of this year,” Woodward said. “But we hope to stay open.”</div><div><br></div><div>Good Deeds Done</div><div><br></div><div>Like so many others affected by Hurricane Harvey, Woodard was grateful for the help other members of the foodservice industry offered not only to him but his employees, too. “One rep group just left. They helped us clean up and brought us lunch,” he said. “Another group came down the first weekend and helped us clean up our employees’ homes.”&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Indeed, emerging from natural disasters such as Hurricane Harvey is a torrent of good deeds done by folks representing all segments of the foodservice industry. Take, for example, David Montoya and Shaun Martin. Both are Dickey’s Barbecue franchisees from La Junta, Colo., and Garland, Texas.</div><div><br></div><div>The duo got to know one another while attending Dickey’s Barbecue University classes. By attending these classes they also learned of Barbecue, Boots and Badges, Dickey’s non-profit arm that works with first responders like police and fire departments.</div><div><br></div><div>Martin also has a 30-foot barbecue trailer that includes everything an operator would need to feed a crowd, including a smoker, fryers, refrigeration and even hand sinks. “It’s a self-contained barbecue kitchen,” said Nathan Wheeler, executive director for charitable activities for Dickey’s Barbecue.</div><div><br></div><div>So Martin and Montoya headed to the Houston area to help feed those affected by the storm and the first responders helping them. And they brought along a few of their team members to assist. The net result: they are feeding roughly 5,000 people a day, including 500 first responders. They plan to remain in Houston through at least the end of the week — Sept. 22, according to Wheeler.</div><div><br></div><div>Being able to feed a large number of people on a daily basis does not happen by accident. “It’s a conglomeration of a lot of efforts,” Wheeler said. For example, team Martin and Montoya set up shop outside of the Dickey’s location in the area that was closed for a while due to the storm. This provided a fixed point from which to work that had access to essential utilities.</div><div><br></div><div>Then there was identifying the best way to get the food to those who needed it. “We worked closely with a number of organizations in Houston, including the Red Cross, to make sure we are helping as many people as possible,” Wheeler said. “We try to set up shop where we can do the most good. We have not spent more than two days in the same spot. We have to make sure to get everybody fed.”</div><div><br></div><div>This approach allowed the crew to not only feed people from Houston but also those in coastal towns such as Rockport and Port Arnasas, also devastated by the storm. “We have been able to feed some people in those areas by working with the Red Cross,” Wheeler said. “We are feeding those victims but we are doing it North of where they were.”</div><div><br></div><div>Another key factor fueling Martin and Montoya’s efforts was the continued cooperation of Dickey’s supply chain partners and others in the community. For example, some suppliers have donated product, Wheeler said, while others have been flexible when it comes to shipping food. In addition, several businesses along the highway between Dallas, home of Dickey’s headquarters, and Houston, have donated refrigerated storage space, which helps. “We have refrigeration at the site and off site refrigeration locations, too,” Wheeler added.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Dickey’s Barbecue, Boots and Badges organization is examining the logistical issues that surround doing something similar to help support the victims of Hurricane Irma. The chain did report that all of its Houston locations had reopened, although some may still be serving a limited menu.</div><div><br></div><div>Indeed, these are bitter sweet times for those assisting with the cleanup of Hurricane Harvey. The devastation of the storm is still startling but the foodservice industry response remains inspirational. “It’s the saddest and happiest part of my job at the same time,” said Wheeler.</div><div><br></div><div>He’s learned one important lesson from all of this: “Never under estimate the power of a community,” Wheeler said. “It’s a powerful thing when a community rallies together behind a specific cause. Our guests are a reflection of our communities and our country and everyone is pitching in.”</div>        
      

Foodservice Equipment & Supplies: Hurricane Harvey Part III

<div>Kansas City Chiefs fans Sunday not only celebrated opening day with a win against the Philadelphia Eagles at Arrowhead Stadium, they also got their share of barbecue from Dickey's Barbecue Pit.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>"We are excited to have this opportunity at Arrowhead Stadium," franchisee Ryan Wenrich, said in a company press release. "Nothing goes better with football than delicious barbecue and we are proud to offer this to the fans at Arrowhead stadium this season and hopefully many seasons in the future."</div><div><br></div><div>The concession stand offers Dickey's slow-smoked barbecue sandwiches, ribs, frito Pie and waffle fries. Wenrich said a second location will open soon inside the NFL stadium, and Pit Bosses Kip McVey and Michael Meade will run both units.</div><div><br></div><div>"At Dickey's Barbecue Pit, we are proud to have franchisees like Ryan Wenrich, that take Dickey's Barbecue Pit to a new level by being innovative in location selection and embracing serving our traditional barbecue in a new way," said Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants in the release. "It is ideas such as these, that will continue Dickey's growth now and in the future."</div>        
      

Fast Casual: Dickey's hopes to score with KC Chiefs fans

<p>View the full segment <a href="http://www.kvoa.com/story/36393559/news-4-cookssmoked-turkey-green-beans">here</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>Dickey’s Barbecue Pit: Smoked Turkey &amp; Green Beans</p><p>Ingredients:<br></p><p>Smoked Turkey:<br></p><p>1.5 lbs turkey breast.&nbsp;</p><p>Hickory wood chips</p><p>Green Beans:<br></p><p>1lb fresh green beans</p><p>½ lb bacon, diced</p><p>1 small yellow onion or ½ large yellow onion, diced</p><p>½ cup chicken broth</p><p>Salt &amp; Pepper to taste</p><p>Preparation Instructions:<br></p><p>Smoke turkey breast with hickory wood at 275 degrees for 90 minutes, until internal temperature is 145 degrees. Slice and serve to order.&nbsp;<br></p><p>In a large sauté pan on cook bacon on medium heat. When bacon is half way cooked, add diced onion. &nbsp;Once bacon is golden brown and onion is translucent, add cleaned green beans and chicken broth and mix all ingredients together with tongs. Cover sauté pan and reduce temperature to simmer. Simmer on low until green beans are steamed at desired doneness. Al dente to soft, it is up to you. Season with salt and pepper to taste.</p>

KVOA: Smoked Turkey and Green Beans

<p><a href="https://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/dickey-s-barbecue-pit-open-kcs-arrowhead-stadium">QSR </a>covered Dickey's new concession stand in Arrowhead Stadium.&nbsp;</p><p>Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Owner/Operator Ryan Wenrich ventured out from the typical Dickey’s Barbecue Pit location and has set up shop at Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium.</p><p><br></p><p>Wenrich, a Kansas City football fan for as long as he can remember, was thrilled when Arrowhead Stadium approached him about sharing Dickey’s slow-smoked, Texas-style barbecue with patrons of their venue. His first concession location opened during preseason and a second location will be opening soon.“We are excited to have this opportunity at Arrowhead Stadium,” says Wenrich. “Nothing goes better with football than delicious barbecue and we are proud to offer this to the fans at Arrowhead stadium this season and hopefully many seasons in the future.”</p><p><br></p><p>The concession stand will offer Dickey’s delicious, slow-smoked barbecue sandwiches, fall off the bone ribs, Frito Pie and crispy waffle fries. Though Wenrich is the owner of these locations, they will be run by Pit Boss’ Kip McVey and Michael Meade.</p><p><br></p><p>“At Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, we are proud to have franchisees like Ryan Wenrich that take Dickey’s Barbecue Pit to a new level by being innovative in location selection and embracing serving our traditional barbecue in a new way,” says Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. “It is ideas such as these, that will continue Dickey’s growth now and in the future.”</p>

QSR: Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Open at KC's Arrowhead Stadium

<p>View the full segment <a href="http://www.kvoa.com/story/36361503/news-4-cooks-polish-sausage">here</a>.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Dickey’s Barbecue Pit: Polish Sausage</p><p><br></p><p>Ingredients:</p><p><br></p><p>5 links Kielbasa Sausage found at most grocery stores</p><p><br></p><p>Preparation Instructions:</p><p><br></p><p>Smoke sausage links at 275 degrees for 20 minutes and verify internal temperature of 145 degrees. Slice and serve with your favorite sides (Goes well with Cole Slaw &amp; Mac and Cheese)</p>

KVOA: Dickey's Polish Sausage

<p><a href="https://www.thedailymeal.com/eat/dickey-s-barbecue-pit-scores-arrowhead-stadium-kansas-city-mo">The Daily Meal </a>covered Dickey's opening a concession stand in Arrowhead Stadium.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Owner/Operator Ryan Wenrich ventured out from the typical Dickey’s Barbecue Pit location and has set up shop at Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium.</p><p><br></p><p>Wenrich, a Kansas City football fan for as long as he can remember, was thrilled when Arrowhead Stadium approached him about sharing Dickey’s slow-smoked, Texas-style barbecue with patrons of their venue. His first concession location opened during preseason and a second location will be opening soon.</p><p><br></p><p>“We are excited to have this opportunity at Arrowhead Stadium,” says Wenrich. “Nothing goes better with football than delicious barbecue and we are proud to offer this to the fans at Arrowhead stadium this season and hopefully many seasons in the future.”</p><p><br></p>

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Scores Big at Arrowhead Stadium, KC

<p><a href="https://www.abqjournal.com/1065119/rustic-star-to-fill-burger-vacancy-in-nob-hill.html">Albuquerque Journal</a> covered Dickey's expansion in New Mexico.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, a Texas-based restaurant franchise, is planning to expand its presence in New Mexico with the help of franchisees David Montoya and Soleille Lopez. Dickey’s has five locations in New Mexico under different franchise owners.</p><p><br></p><p>Montoya and Lopez have one location in Colorado but have been eager to open Dickey’s locations in their home state, they said in a news release.</p><p><br></p><p>They are planning three locations, but addresses have not been determined. The first is slated to open in Albuquerque next spring, with another in Albuquerque by late 2018 and the third to open in Santa Fe in early 2019.</p>

Albuquerque Journal: Dickey's Expands in New Mexico

<p><a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/news/dart/2017/09/07/paralyzed-dart-detective-takes-wheel-reclaims-independence-custom-car">Dallas Morning News</a> covered the Barbecue, Boots &amp; Badges presentation of Detective Ellis with a new car.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Detective Justin Ellis has had to rely on others for transportation since a crash last year left him paralyzed, but a special car donated to him Thursday will let him zip around town on his own.</p><p><br></p><p>As vice president of the Dallas Transit Police Association, Ellis said he’s used to caring for others. A chief told him now it’s his turn to receive help, and the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Police detective said he’s grateful to get it. Ellis and his wife, Rachel, were presented with a gleaming new silver Toyota Camry outside DART Police headquarters in East Oak Cliff on Thursday morning.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>“You’ve given me more independence to be back to where I was before my wreck and that actually means a great deal to me,” Ellis said. “To get out and just drive and go do something on my own without having to be dependent on other people.”&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Ellis was on a motorcycle patrolling near the State Fair of Texas last October when a driver ran a red light and struck him, breaking his pelvis, a foot and some toes.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Once he came out of a coma and returned home, Rachel and his brothers and sisters in blue began to drive him everywhere he needed to go.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>The family had a rental van with a wheelchair ramp until workers’ compensation stopped paying for it. Then, the Assist the Officer Foundation and The Russ Martin Show covered another rental, Rachel said.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>“It wasn’t a shock to see them rally,” she said of their law enforcement family. “It was more shocking to see them financially surround us. It was overwhelming and unexpected.”&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>But in order to drive himself, to really reclaim his independence, Ellis needed a wheelchair-accessible sedan with hand controls.&nbsp;<br></p><p><br></p><p>That’s where the community came in again: Toyota of Rockwall; Dickey’s Barbecue Pit; the Barbecue, Boots &amp; Badges foundation; AOF and The Russ Martin Show raised the money to buy him a customized car.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Several leaders from the organizations praised Ellis as they handed over the keys.&nbsp;<br></p><p><br></p><p>"I look up to you because of what you do," said Charles Pankey, general manager of Toyota of Rockwall. "So, thank you for what you do."</p>

Paralyzed DART Detective Reclaims Independence with Custom Car

<p><a href="http://www.meatpoultry.com/articles/news_home/Business/2017/09/Slideshow_Sampling_Kansas_City.aspx?ID=%7BDD058D03-4342-4454-B631-ADC8B95AF48C%7D">Meat + Poultry</a> covered Dickey's opening a concession stand in Arrowhead Stadium.&nbsp;</p><p>KANSAS CITY, Kan. — At the 2017 American Royal World Series of Barbecue, held Labor Day weekend, attendees were given the opportunity to sample offerings from eight different vendors of Kansas City-style barbecue.</p><p>By purchasing a barbecue “passport,” meat lovers were invited to a designated tasting area, where they sampled low-and-slow meats made by participating foodservice companies, caterers and barbecue competition teams. Some of the restaurants included were:</p><p><br></p><p>Zarda Bar-B-Q</p><p>Famous Dave’s</p><p>Dickey’s Barbecue Pit</p><p>Wild Frontier BBQ</p><p>MadMan’s KC BBQ</p><p>Blind Box BBQ</p><p>KCQ BBQ</p><p>Smoke ‘n Babes</p><p><br></p>

Meat + Poultry:  Slideshow: Sampling Kansas City's barbecue

Watch the full segment&nbsp;<a href="http://us.vocuspr.com/ViewNewsOnDemand.aspx?ArticleID=3414397_21425_43750462">here</a>.&nbsp;        
      

FOX 4: Barbecue, Boots & Badges presentation 

<p><a href="https://dartdallas.dart.org/2017/09/07/injured-dart-detective-enjoying-new-ride-thanks-to-local-support/">Daily Dart</a> covered the presentation of a new car to Detective Ellis.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>After suffering life-threatening injuries from an on-duty motorcycle crash in October 2016, DART Police Detective Justin Ellis received a customized new car, today at DART Police Headquarters.</p><p><br></p><p>The new, hand controlled Toyota Camry allows the Rockwall resident, husband and father to two young children to regain some of the freedom he lost with the crash.</p><p><br></p><p>Assist the Officer Foundation, Toyota of Rockwall, Dickey’s BBQ, the Barbecue, Boots &amp; Badges foundation and The Russ Martin Show all raised funds to purchase the vehicle.</p>

Injured DART Detective Enjoys New Ride Thanks to Local Support

<div>Hundreds soaked up the sun at Peace Memorial Park and the Eagles Club in Lake Hallie on Saturday at the Third Annual Hallie Block Party.</div><div><br></div><div>Organized and hosted by the Lake Hallie Eagles Club, the combination Block Party and Food Fest hosted popular Chippewa Valley summer entertainment: food cooked outside, classic cars and a rousing game of kickball.</div><div><br></div><div>Several food trucks, including Toppers, Big Girl Street Foods, Rosy’s and Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, offered summer themed snacks in Peace Memorial Park, along with live music later in the night.</div><div><br></div><div>In the parking lot of the Eagles Club, a dunk tank, a classic car lineup and a superheroes-versus-military game of kickball kept the community entertained.</div><div><br></div><div>The evening concluded with a raffle drawing, with a first prize of $5,000.</div><div><br></div><div>Proceeds from the event benefited the VFW Unmet Needs Program.</div>

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