While many of the restaurant industry’s most recognizable names have spent the last five years in retreat, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit has reversed its course. The brand is now on a significant path of growth. Dickey’s Barbecue Pit franchise growth is a notable exception in a landscape littered with closures and bankruptcies.
Widespread Restaurant Closures and Bankruptcies
Many chains have recently announced major closures, often as a result of bankruptcy filings. They also implement strategic efforts to downsize underperforming locations.
- Red Lobster: Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2025, which led to the closure of over 100 locations across the U.S.
- TGI Fridays: Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 2024, closing 134 locations to address legacy liabilities. This action aims to position the company for a new direction.
- Subway: Has been experiencing a long-term decline, with a net loss of over 600 locations in 2024 alone. The company works to modernize its remaining footprint.
- Wendy’s: Closed 140 underperforming restaurants in 2024 but aims to offset these closures by opening hundreds of new locations.
- Denny’s: Announced plans to close up to 150 locations in 2024 and 2025 as part of a strategy to improve profitability. They plan to shutter low-volume restaurants.
- Hooters: Abruptly closed nearly 40 locations in June 2025 following a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. The company plans to transition to a franchise-only model.
- Boston Market: Has faced one of the most drastic declines, closing over 90% of its locations in the last two years. The company faces multiple lawsuits for unpaid bills.
Dickey’s BBQ Pit’s Bounce Back
Unlike these chains that are still navigating financial turbulence, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit has shown a remarkable turnaround in 2025. This occurs after a difficult period of its own.
In the fiscal year ending in May 2024, Dickey’s closed or sold nearly 100 locations. Another 30 shut down by the end of that year. This steep decline, which saw its franchise footprint shrink significantly, was a result of declining sales and rising operational costs. These closures, while widely reported, were often presented in isolation. They missed the critical context that the entire restaurant industry faced a wave of contraction. Like other major chains, Dickey’s was forced to make tough but necessary decisions to shed underperforming locations and stabilize its business for the long term. This laid the foundation for Dickey’s Barbecue Pit franchise growth.
However, Dickey’s implemented a strategic “bounce back” plan for 2025. The company announced it has opened 46 new locations from January through August 2025. They are on pace to surpass 60 new openings by the end of the year. This growth is part of a plan to rebuild its brand by focusing on franchise profitability, technological enhancements, and new menu offerings. The company’s store count is projected to exceed 400 locations worldwide. Therefore, it is on a solid path to recovery. This is a stark contrast to the continuing contraction seen at many of its competitors. Dickey’s Barbecue Pit franchise growth is especially noteworthy as it bucks negative industry trends.
The Dickey’s Difference
Dickey’s has bucked negative industry trends and media narratives. For too long, news coverage fixated on the brand’s closures in a vacuum. They lacked the crucial context of a widespread industry-wide crisis. This tunnel-vision reporting created a misleading double standard. It painted a picture of decline for Dickey’s while often glossing over or treating similar, or even more severe, setbacks at other chains as strategic re-alignment. The reality is that Dickey’s closures were part of a difficult but necessary process to right the ship. This is a process many of its competitors are still struggling to complete.
Following a period of closures and challenges, the company strategically prioritized improving franchisee profitability. This focus on a sustainable business model for its operators has been instrumental. It builds a foundation for a new era of expansion. Dickey’s Barbecue Pit franchise growth serves as a testament to the success of these strategies.
This year, the brand is on pace to open over 60 new locations, pushing its worldwide store count past 400. This milestone makes Dickey’s store-count positive for the year, a remarkable feat when so many competitors are still in a state of contraction. It’s a clear signal that the brand is not just stabilizing but is on a strong upward trajectory. The company’s success demonstrates that with the right strategic adjustments and a focus on core business fundamentals, it is possible to not only survive but to thrive in today’s demanding market.
Suggested Reading:
Podcast: Balancing Price vs. Value: Insights from Dickey’s Barbecue