Dickey’s Barbeque Pit, America’s largest BBQ chain, has abruptly closed 30 more locations across the country. This move comes as a surprise, given that the company had previously announced plans to open new locations.
In 2017, Dickey’s boasted over 500 locations in the US, but its decline began due to drama with local operators and falling sales. The chain was forced to clean up its act after shuttering almost 100 stores in May this year, leaving it with around 380 locations. With the recent closures, Dickey’s is now down to approximately 350 locations nationwide.
Despite this downturn, Dickey’s claims to be expanding its operations in the near future, with plans to open four new locations in the upcoming fiscal year. The chain’s popularity has waned amid a growing trend of consumers cutting back on dining out due to economic concerns.
Founded in 1941 by Travis Dickey in Dallas, Texas, Dickey’s Barbeque Pit is known for its slow-smoked meats and southern hospitality. However, it appears that the changing tastes of Americans have led to this decline. With more people opting to cook at home or reduce their dining out expenses, Dickey’s struggles to adapt and maintain its market share.
As the BBQ culture continues to be a significant part of American cuisine, only a few chains remain successful, leaving Dickey’s Barbeque Pit among those struggling to stay afloat.
Source: https://tasteofcountry.com/dickeys-barbecue-pit-closing-stores