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Franchise Legal News
In today’s franchise landscape, misinformation can spread fast and distort the truth. Franchisee Biz is a resource built for clarity. We provide verified facts, context behind the headlines, and documentation to help franchisees, industry stakeholders, and the public make informed judgments on franchise legal news. Whether you’re a current owner, a prospective investor, or simply seeking the truth behind the noise, you’ll find it here.
Case StudyCASE STUDY:
Coordinated Legal Assault on a Legacy Brand
As the nation’s largest barbecue franchise, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit has built its reputation over 80 years on a system rooted in operational excellence, rigorous training, and franchisee support. But that legacy is now under attack. Discussed widely in franchise legal news, this assault involves a small group of former franchisees—most of whom failed to follow Dickey’s proven model—who have aligned with the Florida-based law firm Zarco Einhorn Salkowski, P.A. in what court filings describe as a calculated campaign to damage the company’s reputation and force it into financial distress.
This coordinated effort involves duplicative lawsuits, negative media placements, and what one motion to disqualify calls “witness tampering”—with allegations that the firm attempted to coerce testimony through improper communications with a represented former executive. The legal filings argue that this isn’t just litigation—it’s a broader strategy of disruption in franchise legal news.
While these individuals position themselves as victims, the facts suggest otherwise. The overwhelming majority of Dickey’s owner-operators continue to run profitable restaurants by following the system. This case study explores the motivations behind the legal offensive, the ethics questions it raises, and how Dickey’s is working to protect its brand, its franchisees, and the truth.
Get the Facts About the FRanchise Litigation Targeting Dickey’s
In today’s environment of sensational headlines and opportunistic legal maneuvers, Franchisee Biz knows it’s more important than ever to separate noise from reality. Below, we break down the most common claims being pushed by a small group of failed franchisees and their lawyers against Dickey’s BBQ —and lay out the real facts that tell a very different story.
Motion to Disqualify
On June 3, 2025, a motion was filed to disqualify the Zarco law firm from the G Six v. Mullett case, citing serious ethical violations including witness tampering, intentional misinformation, and misconduct intended to coerce testimony. This development adds another layer to the ongoing franchise legal news saga.
Read the full motionFalse Claims vs. Facts
| Claim | Fact (based on evidence) |
| Dickey’s has a “history of deception and broken promises”. | No. Court documents detail a coordinated campaign led by the Zarco law firm that includes witness tampering, coercive legal threats, and media manipulation. This narrative adds complexity to the franchise legal news landscape. |
| Dickey’s startup costs are much higher than estimated. Launching a Dickey’s franchise requires a significantly larger initial investment than anticipated. | Dickey’s provides accurate and appropriate start-up costs ranges and estimates and assists with obtaining multiple bids. Dickey’s does not provide revenue projections. All of the information in Dickey’s Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) is based on the company’s recent experience to compile these projections. |
| Dickey’s is closing 80% of its stores. | Dickey’s statistics are aligned with the current state of the restaurant industry. No brand is immune from site closings and hardships across the industry. The 28% assumption is baseless as Dickey’s has not reported any data related to current store counts publicly since the 2024 FDD. |
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FAQsEvidence Library
April 11, 2025 call between Christopher Bruno and Stephen Mullett:
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Franchisee Biz Articles
- The Truth Comes Out Dickey’s Former Franchisee Krage Fox
Uncover the truth behind Krage Fox’s claims in the franchise dispute with Dickey’s Barbecue Pit and his financial narrative. - When Journalism Becomes Entertainment: A Look at the NYT’s Sensationalized Take on Dickey’s
In an age when clicks often matter more than facts, some mainstream media outlets are increasingly sacrificing journalistic integrity for sensationalism. Once a … Read more - Dickey’s Barbecue, the well-known Texas establishment, is facing interference.
For generations, the name Dickey’s Barbecue Pit has resonated with the savory aroma of authentic Texas BBQ, embodying a time-honored tradition of quality and familial values.