News & Trending Debt & Bankruptcy News

Dickey's BBQ Chain Closes Nearly 100 Locations (Is Yours One?)

Another hundred were sold to other franchises.

Dickey's Barbecue Pit exterior
Updated Oct. 4, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

Nearly half of Dickey's Barbecue Pit locations were closed or sold during the 2024 fiscal year. That leaves only 366 locations across the U.S. still open for business under the name. 

The restaurant industry continues to struggle as more Americans live paycheck to paycheck and have difficulty going out to eat

Even large chains with huge brand recognition can't survive without customers who can afford their meals, and this is causing many well-known restaurant chains to file for bankruptcy or otherwise adjust their business strategies. 

See how America's biggest barbecue brand got to this point. 

Earn $200 cash rewards bonus with this incredible card

There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing bonus and benefits. The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card(Rates and fees) has no annual fee and you can earn $200 after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.

The Active Cash Card puts cash back into your wallet. Cardholders can earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases — easy! That's one of the best cash rewards options available.

This card also offers an intro APR of 0% for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (then 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% Variable). Which is great for someone who wants a break from high interest rates, while still earning rewards.

The best part? There's no annual fee.

Click here to apply now.


History

Courtesy of Dickey's Dickey's BBQ Pit first location

Dickey's Barbecue Pit was founded in Dallas, Texas, in 1941. It took more than 50 years for the restaurant to begin franchising, and by 2012, it was dubbed the fastest-growing restaurant chain in the U.S.

Customers love the meat smoked on-site, which uses wood-burning hickory pits to create a rich barbecue flavor. Their menu also offers home-style sides like fried okra, barbecue beans, and green beans with bacon that taste like they came from a home picnic. 


Failures

Courtesy of Dickey's Dickey's BBQ Pit interior

Along with closing physical locations, nearly all of Dickey's virtual restaurants have been closed. Virtual restaurants are also called "ghost kitchens," and customers hate them. These misleading "restaurants" rose to prominence during the pandemic, using different names through online platforms to sell the same chain food to customers. 

Dickey's operates eight different brands, including Wing Boss, Big Deal Burger, Trailer Birds, and Barbecue at Home.

Future

Courtesy of Dickey's Dickey's exterior

Dickey's Barbecue Pit may be struggling financially, but its subsidiary, Wycliff Douglas Provisions, is growing exponentially. 

WDP is a meat processing company that delivers ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook meats to restaurants, retail stores, and private-label clients. Its sales have increased 105% year over year, and its customer base has grown even larger. 

Stop overpaying when you shop online

Shopping online has its perks. It's super convenient, but it can be time consuming to find the best deals. Instead of hunting for coupon codes (that don't always work!) and opening tons of browser tabs comparing prices, you can try Capital One Shopping.

Capital One Shopping makes saving money effortless. Just add the browser extension and when you check out, it'll scour the internet for coupon codes to help you save cash. And before you check out at 25+ major retailers, Capital One Shopping will notify you with a friendly pop-up if the item you're buying is available cheaper somewhere else.

Capital One Shopping is free to use and won't show you ads. Add it today and stop overpaying!1

Get Capital One Shopping now


Bottom line

wolterke - stock.adobe.com Dickey's Barbecue Pit exterior

Dickey's Barbecue Pit is far from the only restaurant chain facing bankruptcies and closures this year. Places like Red Lobster, White Castle, Boston Market, and other recognizable brands struggle to stay relevant to American diners. 

Families struggling to move beyond living paycheck to paycheck have little choice but to cut pleasures such as dining out from their budgets. 


Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

5.0
info

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details