Entrepreneur and Barbecue Lover Brings Texas-Style Barbecue to Georgia

Entrepreneur and Barbecue Lover Brings Texas-Style Barbecue to Georgia

The new Dickey’s Barbecue Pit location is slated to open in Spring 2018

Entrepreneur and Barbecue Lover Brings Texas-Style Barbecue to GeorgiaDickey’s Barbecue Pit continues growth in the Peach State with a new Smyrna location slated to open in Spring 2018. The new location will be owned by new Dickey’s franchisee Ben Kessie, a Georgia Tech alum and passionate barbecue lover.

“At Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, we pride ourselves on serving each and every guest authentic, Texas-style barbecue,” says Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. “With new franchisees such as Ben Kessie that truly love the brand, we can continue our growth and more importantly continue serving our guests delicious barbecue.”

Kessie spent years eating at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit and made the brand a part of his family’s holiday by catering Dickey’s for Thanksgiving every year. With a passion for barbecue, he decided it was time to invest in a barbecue joint of his own. After researching other franchising concepts, Kessie found a home in Dickey’s Barbecue Pit.

“The Dickey’s Barbecue Pit model is unlike anything I have ever seen,” said Kessie. “I have traveled all over the country looking at barbecue concepts and Dickey’s was by far the best choice for me.”

To find the location nearest you, click here. Find Dickey’s on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

To learn more about franchising with Dickeys, visit www.dickeys.com/franchise or call 866-340-6188.


Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc., the nation’s largest barbecue chain was founded in 1941 by Travis Dickey. Today, all meats are still slow smoked on-site in each restaurant. The Dallas-based family-run barbecue franchise offers several slow-smoked meats and home style sides with ‘No B.S. (Bad Stuff)‘ included. The fast-casual concept has expanded to nearly 600 locations in 44 states. In 2016, Dickey’s won first place on Fast Casual’s “Top 100 Movers and Shakers” list and in 2017 again won a top 10 on the list. Dickey’s Barbecue Pit has also been recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine, Franchise Times, and Nation’s Restaurant News. For more information, visit www.dickeys.com.