Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, widely recognized as the world’s largest barbecue concept, marked a significant milestone in September 2025 with the grand opening of 28 new Ghost Kitchens across the United States. This ambitious expansion reflects not only the brand’s commitment to growth and innovation but also its strategic approach to adapting to the rapidly shifting landscape of the restaurant industry.
Ghost Kitchens—delivery-only facilities designed to meet the surging demand for convenience, speed, and digital ordering—have emerged as one of the most transformative trends in modern dining. Unlike traditional brick-and-mortar restaurants, Ghost Kitchens allow brands to serve customers without the overhead of a full-service location, making it easier to reach new communities and test markets efficiently. For Dickey’s, this innovative model provides a unique opportunity to deliver its signature slow-smoked barbecue to a wider audience while maintaining the quality and authenticity that has defined the brand for over 80 years.
The new Dickey’s Ghost Kitchens are strategically located in key cities and neighborhoods across multiple states. In Texas, locations include Wylie, Corsicana, McKinney, McQueeny, Irving, Dallas, Lewisville, and Ft. Worth, further strengthening the brand’s presence in its home state. Arizona welcomed Dickey’s to Tempe and Mesa, while Alabama added Enterprise to the growing network. In the Northeast, Jersey City and Whiting in New Jersey, along with Scarsdale, New York, became home to the new kitchens. Pennsylvania saw openings in Philadelphia, Broomall, and Pottstown, while Louisiana added Covington, Lafayette, and Carencro to the roster. Other locations include Oakwood Village, Ohio; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Aurora, Illinois; and Saint Augustine, Riverview, and Sanford in Florida.
“Ghost Kitchens allow us to bring Legit. Texas. Barbecue. to more guests faster than ever before,” said Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. “It is about meeting our guests where they are, whether they are in a bustling urban center or a quiet suburban neighborhood, and delivering the same authentic barbecue experience with the convenience of digital ordering. This model not only enhances our operational flexibility but also amplifies our ability to innovate while keeping the cherished traditions of slow-smoked barbecue alive.”
The Ghost Kitchen model is proving to be more than a tactical response to consumer demand; it is a strategic investment in long-term growth. By opening 28 locations in a single month, Dickey’s demonstrates the scalability of this approach and its ability to respond to market trends rapidly. For established brands, this represents a blueprint for evolving in step with changing consumer behaviors without compromising on brand integrity or culinary quality.
Roland Dickey, Jr., CEO of Dickey’s Capital Group, highlighted the generational legacy that underpins the company’s growth strategy. “Expansion has always been part of our DNA,” he said. “What started with my grandfather in 1941 has grown into a brand that thrives on adaptability. Ghost Kitchens allow us to scale quickly, support our franchisees, and open doors in markets that might otherwise take years to develop. This is a proud moment for our family business and a reflection of how far Dickey’s has come and where we are headed.”
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit was founded on the principles of slow-smoking meats with care and precision, an ethos that has resonated with generations of barbecue enthusiasts. The brand’s embrace of Ghost Kitchens demonstrates its ability to preserve these core values while leveraging technology and innovative delivery models to meet modern expectations. This balance of tradition and innovation positions Dickey’s as a trailblazer in the restaurant industry, blending culinary craftsmanship with forward-thinking operational strategies.
The expansion comes at a time when the U.S. dining landscape is experiencing profound shifts. Consumer preferences increasingly favor convenience, digital ordering, and on-demand delivery, trends accelerated by technological advancements and changing lifestyles. Ghost Kitchens enable Dickey’s to meet these expectations head-on, offering a seamless experience for customers who want quality barbecue without the constraints of travel or in-person dining. This approach allows the brand to maintain high service standards while expanding its geographic footprint at a pace that traditional restaurant models cannot match.
Beyond operational efficiency, Ghost Kitchens also offer a platform for experimentation. Brands like Dickey’s can test new menu items, limited-time offerings, and localized flavors without the risk and cost of establishing a permanent restaurant. This flexibility encourages creativity, responsiveness, and a closer connection with customers. For a heritage brand like Dickey’s, it means staying relevant in a competitive market while continuing to champion the flavors and techniques that have defined Texas-style barbecue for decades.
The introduction of these 28 Ghost Kitchens represents the latest chapter in Dickey’s remarkable journey. From its origins as a single barbecue restaurant in 1941 to a global brand with over 400 locations worldwide, Dickey’s has consistently demonstrated resilience, innovation, and a dedication to quality. Each Ghost Kitchen opening not only increases access to the brand’s renowned barbecue but also reinforces its position as a leader in creative restaurant growth strategies.
As the restaurant industry continues to evolve, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit exemplifies how legacy brands can successfully navigate change. By embracing technology, prioritizing convenience, and expanding thoughtfully, the company ensures that its barbecue reaches more guests than ever before while remaining true to its core values. With this latest expansion, Dickey’s reaffirms its commitment to excellence, customer satisfaction, and culinary innovation—proving that even in a rapidly changing world, slow-smoked barbecue remains timeless.
With the successful launch of these Ghost Kitchens, Dickey’s is not only meeting today’s market demands but also setting the stage for future growth. The move underscores a broader trend in the restaurant industry, where agility, creativity, and customer-centric strategies are key drivers of success. For Dickey’s, the journey is both a continuation of a storied family legacy and a bold leap into the future of dining—delivering authentic Texas barbecue to more tables, more efficiently, and with the same dedication to quality that has defined the brand for over eight decades.
