Dickey’s Barbecue Pit: Growth in the Face of Misinformation

Dickey’s Franchise News: Growth in the Face of Misinformation

Despite a wave of sensational headlines, the real Dickey’s franchise news in 2025 tells a very different story—one of growth, expansion, and continued franchisee success. While critics push a narrative of decline, the facts are clear: Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, the world’s largest barbecue franchise, is expanding, innovating, and supporting franchisees more than ever.

A Year of Dickey’s Franchise Expansion

Contrary to claims of contraction, Dickey’s is on the move. In the first half of 2025 alone, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is expanding with the brand celebrating openings in Canton, Texas; Kapolei, Hawaii; La Junta, Colorado; Enterprise, Alabama; and Post Falls, Idaho. On top of that, three new ghost kitchens are now serving customers in high-demand urban markets.

Each of these openings represents more than just a new restaurant. They bring local jobs, entrepreneurial opportunity, and Legit. Texas. Barbecue.™ to communities across the country. A brand in decline does not create new businesses, new payrolls, and new franchise success stories.

Dickey’s Franchisee Support and Success

Stories that spotlight a handful of struggling operators ignore the overwhelming majority of Dickey’s franchisees who are thriving. Success is not an accident. It comes from a combination of rigorous training, daily operational support, and powerful tools that Dickey’s provides every owner-operator.

The proprietary Smoke Stack™ data platform gives franchisees real-time insight into sales, costs, and performance—empowering smarter decisions and stronger unit economics. That technology, paired with programs like Barbecue University and daily training calls, ensures that operators are never left on their own.

During the pandemic, Dickey’s didn’t just stand by. It provided direct financial assistance and operational guidance to keep franchisees moving forward. That commitment to partnership is why so many owners stay with the brand for decades and expand into multiple units, demonstrating how Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is expanding in various ways.

Separating Fact from Fiction

Running a barbecue restaurant is hard work. Every franchisor and franchisee faces challenges. But portraying Dickey’s as a brand in decline is simply not true. The company has more than 80 years of history and over 30 years of franchising experience, and it continues to open restaurants at a steady pace—something very few barbecue chains can say in today’s market.

Misinformation may make for clickable headlines, but the real story is in the smoke rising from new pits across America. Dickey’s is growing, investing, and standing behind its operators.

For further context, see Dickey’s full response in this BusinessWire release.

FAQs About Dickey’s Franchise News

Is the Dickey’s franchise growing in 2025?
Yes. Dickey’s has opened multiple new restaurants and ghost kitchens in 2025, proving strong expansion.

Are Dickey’s franchisees successful?
The majority of franchisees succeed when following the proven Dickey’s playbook and leveraging corporate support systems.

What makes Dickey’s different from other franchises?
Dickey’s combines authentic Texas-style barbecue with innovative tools like the Smoke Stack platform, giving franchisees a competitive edge. With Dickey’s Barbecue Pit expanding continuously, their offerings set them apart.

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