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<p>With a catering percentage of 33 percent, Raji Singh knows the importance of serving great food along with great service. Recently he catered Move-In Day at University of Alabama for more than 800 people, a contract he won for the second year because he has been the only caterer to consistently show up on time to the university’s events.</p><p>Understanding the value of dependability has been a key ingredient in Raji’s recipe for success. Raji opened his Dickey’s location in 2013 after a successful run as a Subway franchisee. He also owns an Indian restaurant in his area, which he opened in 2004. After attending medical school in India, Raji knew that the medical field wasn’t for him, and traded his lab coat for a chef coat. He hasn’t looked back, and has built a great business in foodservice. “Dickey’s has been very good to me,” Raji says. “Being a franchisee with this concept is different because of all the great tools the home office offers. They have great support from catering to marketing which helps us be successful in our community.”</p>        
      

Real Talk with Real Owners - Raji Singh of Tuscaloosa, AL

<p>Owner/Operator John Clark of Brentwood, TN is so passionate
about the art of great barbecue, he talks to anyone and
everyone he meets about his brand of slow-smoked goodness.
A former Texan, John couldn’t wait to bring great barbecue to
his new home in the Nashville area, and the community has
responded in droves. By sharing his excitement for barbecue,
he has built an impressive catering clientele within many local
businesses.
</p><p>John is currently working on a Barbecue, Boots &amp; Badges
event, in which he will offer free meals to police officers and
firefighters to show solidarity in light of recent events. “I hope
to not only share my love for great barbecue, but my support
for our community’s first responders,” John shares. “I work
hard every day to increase my business, and it is good to take a
moment to give back and show support to those who serve
us.”        
      </p>

Real Talk with Real Owners: John Clark of Brentwood, TN

<p class="MsoNormal">Owner/Operator Matt Stritzinger lives by three rules in his
business:<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span>Come to work every day with a good attitude<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span>Have fun at work<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">3.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span>Make someone’s day, every day<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">With those guidelines in mind, Matt focuses his team on
great service and excellence in everything they do, from smoking meat to
ringing up orders at cash. <o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">These guidelines have also led Matt to certain business
practices in his store. “Our community engagement begins with my philosophy
that I donate to every cause,” Matt says. In a small town of 25,000 people, the
community notices the businesses who take a personal interest in the daily
goings-on of their community. <o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">As a business developer for the last 25 years, Matt knows
that his catering sales are crucial to his store’s success. He regularly goes
the extra mile, literally. In fact, his store recently did a catering for 750
people about 100 miles away! For Matt, no catering job is too large, too small
or too far away. And he never forgets to include those BMGs! “We always show
our catering clients our appreciation for their business through bounce backs and
discounts on their next event. We find that by using these marketing tools, we
have many loyal guests who not only come back to us for future caterings, but
bring their families and friends into the store to enjoy our great barbecue and
great atmosphere.”<o:p></o:p></p>

Real Talk with Real Owners - Matt Stritzinger of Coldwater, MI

<p class="MsoNormal">Ernest Royball has been a restauranteur for most of his
professional life, having owned local restaurants in Albuquerque for several
years. After moving to Farmington and briefly leaving behind the world of
foodservice, Ernest got the opportunity to become a Dickey’s franchisee.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">“I decided on Dickey’s because it has a great system and
good plan in place,” Ernest says. “The corporate support is excellent and I
know I can call on any department if I have questions.”<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Training was key for Ernest in the early days. He had experience
running restaurants, but in Barbecue University, Dickey’s four-week training
program, Ernest learned how to operate the Dickey’s way. “Training was
instrumental in my success. I knew going in that I would be successful because
I had the hands-on training in all of Dickey’s standards.”<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Having just celebrated his store’s first anniversary, Ernest
has dedicated himself to community engagement. He sponsors sports teams,
concerts and pitches in to help the community at every possible opportunity.
Through his proactive community marketing efforts, he has gotten anywhere from
five to 100 new guests. This has not only earned him a trustworthy reputation
in Farmington, but encouraged other local businesses to get involved in the
community. “My goal is to create a sense of togetherness,” says Ernest. At the
end of his first year, we would say he has accomplished that goal. Happy
anniversary, NM 1153!<o:p></o:p></p>        
      

Real Talk with Real Owners:  Ernest Royball of Farmington, NM

<p class="MsoNormal">In Starkville, MS, going out to Dickey’s is like going to a
family reunion for this small community in the Oktibbeha County Seat. <o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">When guests visit the Starkville Dickey’s, they are always
greeted warmly as if they are members of a big, happy family. They are welcome
to move the furniture around to accommodate large groups and always receive
top-notch service with a smile. <o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Starkville Owner/Operator John Thomas is a 30-year military
veteran who also owned a construction company for 15 years. When he was looking
for a franchise he immediately loved that Dickey’s is a family-owned brand with
stores that are friendly, casual and always fun. “I like all the people I come
in contact with every day,” John says. “My loyal guests have become friends,
and I also appreciate all the support I get from corporate. My area director
always answers his phone and is willing to help with any issue, large or
small.”<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Even though John’s store isn’t quite a year old, the
Starkville community has become used to seeing his big yellow catering van
drive through town. Using the van and other marketing tools, John has become a
fixture in his community who is the go-to for catering and events. <o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Now that is some southern hospitality done right!<o:p></o:p></p>        
      

Real Talk with Real Owners - John Thomas in Starkville, MS

                <p class="MsoNormal">For Chef Sky Galli in Utah, community marketing is the key
to his success with Dickey’s. Formerly an executive chef, Sky decided to go
into the franchising business and chose Dickey’s because it was the fastest-growing
barbecue franchise with great opportunity for success.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Sky has seen that success first-hand in Heber City, about an
hour’s drive southeast of Salt Lake City. Heavily involved in his local chamber
of commerce and several clubs, Sky does daily outreach in his community to
build relationships. He sponsors the high school sports teams and does regular
Big Yellow Cup drops to connect with local organizations. He also has a
family-friendly band perform in his store every Monday and Tuesday, which has
increased his sales tremendously. Families enjoy their delicious barbecue while
having fun doing the limbo and shaking tambourines to the music. “Community
marketing has made a huge difference for my store,” Sky says. “I love talking
to my guests and getting out to engage with my community. We do many caterings
as a result, which is a huge part of the business.”<o:p></o:p></p><p>



</p><p class="MsoNormal">Recently Sky bought a barbecue pit to give away in an
upcoming drawing. Guests who dine in his store can enter to win the prize,
which will be announced on September 10!<o:p></o:p></p>
      
      

Real Talk with Real Owners: Sky Galli of Heber City, UT

Owner/Operator Thomas Iverson is truly a jack-of-alltrades
who enjoys devoting his skill and passion to his
two Dickey’s Barbecue Pit locations in California. Prior
to owning a Dickeys, Thomas explored many career
paths as a phlebotomist, research scientist and genetic
researcher. He also went to dental school and still owns
an active orthodontic practice with a Dickey’s located
next door.
While in dental school, Thomas enjoyed visiting his local
Dickey’s regularly but had not given store ownership a
second thought. After working as an established
orthodontist, he learned about Dickey’s franchise
opportunity and jumped at the chance!
Two years and two stores later, Thomas enjoys serving
his favorite foods to all his loyal guests. He also relies
on catering to spread the word about his delicious
slow-smoked barbecue. “My brand ambassador and I use many of the great marketing strategies
provided by the home office,” he says. “Since day one we have focused on catering and building a loyal
guest base, and we couldn’t have done it without them.”
Thomas may be a jack-of-all-trades, but he is definitely a master of the art of great barbecue!        
      

Real Talk with Real Owners: Thomas Iverson of Davis and Yuba City, CA

<p class="MsoNormal">Owner/Operators David and Ashley Mullins are passionate
about their community and passionate about the art of great barbecue. Both
having restaurant backgrounds, the couple decided to become business owners by
investing in a franchise concept. After researching several options, David
tasted Dickey’s for the first time in an airport. He was hooked on the
Texas-style, slow-smoked flavor, and knew he had to bring it to Nashville to
share with his community.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Nashville is one of the fastest growing cities in the
country, but when the couple began their barbecue venture there were not many
Texas-style options in Music City USA. David and Ashley opened their first
store in January 2016 and are opening their second next year. “This is a family
business for us,” David says. “We are always asking what we can do to improve
our community because the community has done so much for us.”<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">The Mullins’ store focuses heavily on giving back to Nashville’s
first responders. They bring food to their local precincts once a month and
offer regular discounts to uniformed officers. In July their store will host a
special police night, in which the community will come together in appreciation
of the officers’ service to the community. Guests will enjoy great barbecue,
police horses and even an ice cream sundae bar.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Both David and Ashley are adamant when it comes to Dickey’s
standards in their store. They know that their continued success is dependent
on their continued efforts. “I believe the success we’ve had in our store is
largely because of the marketing provided by the home office,” David says.
“Everyone in the home office is always happy to help. The daily training videos
are also really helpful in keeping us on our toes and giving us new ideas.”
That is music to our ears!<o:p></o:p></p>        
      

Real Talk with Real Owners: David and Ashley Mullins of Nashville, TN

<div>Owner/Operator Jack Chubb is the man with a plan. The multi-unit owner with stores in Sarasota, Wesley Chapel and upcoming new store in Brandon, Florida, is also the mastermind bringing Hawaii its first Dickey’s Barbecue Pit. “Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is a nationally recognized brand that has a wonderful history and reputation. It’s a franchise that has been tried and true, a model that works when you follow the standards,” says Chubb.</div><div><br></div><div>A former hospital CEO, Chubb applies the same discipline and stewardship from his 30-year experience to the success of his stores. &nbsp;“It’s important to have a great management team who believes in and understands the value in catering.” With a strong strategic business plan in place, Chubb focuses on heavily integrating in his stores’ communities. “We give the time and commitment to our community marketing initiatives with the local businesses and schools, which ultimately drives business back to the store.”</div><div><br></div><div>With a vision that exceeds beyond his Florida stores, there’s no stopping Chubb’s growth as he works closely with the home office making sure his stores exceeds brand standards. “I knew nothing about the restaurant business when I joined Dickey’s. They’ve done great job putting together a group of professionals from the marketing team to the training team that share initiatives and provide support that can help Owner/Operators achieve their goals.” he adds, “I’m learning every day from the professionals that are well versed in the business and that provides an extra level of comfort as an Owner/Operator every day.”</div><div><br></div>        
      

Real Talk: Jack Chubb on Dickey’s in Sarasota & Wesley Chapel

<p class="MsoNormal">There’s no stopping college sweethearts and Owner/Operators
Matthew and Catherine Long, who spearheaded Dickey’s eastern Louisiana presence
in The Port City. Hard to miss between their community marketing initiatives
and in-store presence, Matthew and Catherine are a true representation of the
expression, ‘teamwork makes the dream work.’ “Our success has been from the
support we receive from the community and traveling guests. We take a lot of
pride as Owner/Operators to ensure there’s a great product going out of the
door each day,” shares Catherine Long.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">The husband and wife duo’s Shreveport and Bossier City
stores are the talk of the town. “From the commercials to the billboards, the
marketing team has done a great job in their media placements. We love when people
traveling here from Texas or other parts of Louisiana visit our store because
of the advertising. They frequently share that this is the best barbecue
they’ve had,” says Catherine.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Currently maintaining 15 percent in catering sales, the two
have a strong focus on face-to-face engagement that extends outside of the
store. “It is imperative that Owner/Operators get involved in their community.
We move mountains to ensure that we are turning our catering and dine-in guests
into repeat customers.”<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Believing they are in charge of their own destiny, there’s a
lot more to come from The Longs as they expect to open two additional stores in
the near future. <o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Motivated to make people happy through his commitment in
events and food, Wesley shares, “The most rewarding experience is being able to
serve people and hear them rave about the food’s quality.”&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></p>        
      

Real Talk with Owners: Matthew and Catherine Long of Shreveport

<p class="MsoNormal">It’s a jubilee in The Heart of the Dixie with Owner/Operator
Wesley Harbin at his two stores located in Northport and Taylorville, Alabama.
Bringing a strong family focus to his stores, Wesley uses karaoke and game
nights as a way to connect with members of the community. “I enjoy taking a
unique approach by giving people entertainment while we serve barbecue. It’s
also enjoyable to watch families turn their take-out orders to dine-in because
of their enthusiasm for the in-store activities,” shares Wesley.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">With his in-store community marketing initiatives outpouring
into his partnerships with local schools and charities, it’s no wonder Wesley
has been able to maintain a 21 percent catering at his Northport store. “The
marketing team does a great job in providing new ideas and resources to grow
our catering and dining sales.” Wesley adds, “I recommend that Owner/Operators
hire a brand ambassador as a great help to increase their store’s bottom line.
Brand ambassadors have the availability and experience to present your product
to the community in creative ways, making a world of difference.”<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Motivated to make people happy through his commitment in
events and food, Wesley shares, “The most rewarding experience is being able to
serve people and hear them rave about the food’s quality.”&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></p>        
      

Real Talk with Wesley Harbin of Northport and Taylorville, AL

<p class="MsoNormal">There’s a perfect melody to success being sung by
Owner/Operator Eric Evans in North Carolina. A dream chaser since birth, the
former WWE wrestler and musician’s strong goal setting mentality has turned a
lot of dreams into reality. “I’m a dreamer that likes to see things for what
they are, not for what they could be. I’m not the one to miss an opportunity,”
shares Eric.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Eager to shoot for the stars with his newest endeavor, Eric
leveraged existing relationships and focused on developing strong partnerships
to build a strong community marketing plan. “There’s not a day that goes by
that I’m not networking or growing relationships with the businesses, schools
or churches in our community. It has been gratifying to see the fruit produced
from my labor as I watch our catering sales continue to climb.”&nbsp; With his Wilmington store close to the beach,
Eric also credits the home office marketing support’s media placements for
increased in-store traffic. “We have gained a lot of new business from
residents and tourists because they’ve heard the advertisement over the radio.”
<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Applying the same tactical approach from his community
marketing efforts to his in-store operations, Eric ensures the store’s staff is
up to standards and executes best practices learned from Dickey’s home office
training team. “It’s a relief as an Owner/Operator when your staff is prepared
to handle growth without altering the quality in food and service.”&nbsp;&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></p>        
      

Real Talk with Real Owners: Eric Evans of Wilmington, NC

        <p class="MsoNormal">It’s a family affair in Eastern Michigan for Owner/Operators
Ed and Carrie Wenzel. The husband and wife team along with their twin children
have been hard at work activating their community marketing efforts and
training techniques. “We chose to be a part of the Dickey’s family because it’s
a proven model that has strong operations and training support,” shares Ed. “It
was also a great opportunity for our twins to get a start in life. In a short
amount of time, they have learned about customer service, hard work and the
responsibility of business ownership."<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Since joining the Dickey’s family two years ago, Ed and
Carrie have consistently utilized their community marketing efforts to build
relationships that drive business back to their Macomb store.&nbsp; “Whether they’re high school students,
teachers or military, our favorite part about being in this business is being
able to get to know our community through our marketing initiatives. Our recent
guest appreciation event is just a glimpse to how our efforts have led to
increased catering and dining sales.”<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">There’s more to come from The Wenzel Family as they expect
to open two new stores later this year in Sterling Heights and Auburn Hills,
Michigan. “The Dickey’s home office has provided much engagement through
training, operations and marketing support making our transition as
Owners/Operators easier and growing our business at a rapid pace.”<o:p></o:p></p>        
      
      

Real Talk with Real Owners: Ed and Carrie Wenzel of Macomb, MI

<div>It’s heating up across the states and nothing says summer like barbecue, making it a perfect time to gather with family and friends and celebrate National Barbecue Month this May. Whether it’s a cookout or pool party, barbecue is a favorite during the warm weather months.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>As the nation’s largest barbecue chain, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit wants to give you 10 ways you can celebrate our favorite month.</div><div><br></div><div style="margin-left: 25px;">1)&nbsp;Host a cookout. There’s nothing better than gathering your family and friends in the backyard, at a park or pool around the pit. &nbsp;Get your meats ready and have your guests bring the sides. It’s time to party!</div><div style="margin-left: 25px;">2)&nbsp;Join a barbecue cook-off. What’s a little friendly competition? Put on your barbecue master hat and host a cook off with family and friends to see who has the better skills.</div><div style="margin-left: 25px;">3)&nbsp;Create your own sauce. Get those creative juices flowing and pair your favorite spices and ingredients to create the perfect sauce.&nbsp;</div><div style="margin-left: 25px;">4)&nbsp;Try something new. Who says you have to stick with burgers and hot dogs? Learn about the different accessories you can pair with your grill or smoker and learn how to make pizza, breakfast or a dessert.&nbsp;</div><div style="margin-left: 25px;">5)&nbsp;Camp out with your crew. There’s nothing like a great campfire to get things cookin’. Grab a crew and have s’more fun in the great outdoors.&nbsp;</div><div style="margin-left: 25px;">6)&nbsp;Learn a new technique. There’s a lot of ways to perfect your barbecue skills. Whether it’s learning to brine, basting or mopping, take some time and learn about different ways you can make your barbecue go ‘BOOM!”</div><div style="margin-left: 25px;">7)&nbsp;Give your grill or smoker some TLC. Your significant other isn’t the only thing that needs special treatment. With the weather changes, this is always a good time to roll up your sleeves, dust off the dirt and oil the grate.</div><div style="margin-left: 25px;">8)&nbsp;Eat. Eat More. Eat again. It’s not National Barbecue Month if you aren’t eating barbecue. This is the time to feel guilt-free as you indulge on ribs, brisket, sausage, burgers and more.&nbsp;</div><div style="margin-left: 25px;">You can also bring Dickey’s home with our signature sausage found at your local Walmart, or visit any Dickey’s location for our rib rub and sauce.</div><div style="margin-left: 25px;">9)&nbsp;Buy a grill or smoker. According to the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association, 75 percent of U.S. adults own a grill or smoker. Of these owners, 45 percent plan to purchase a new one in the next year.&nbsp;</div><div style="margin-left: 25px;">10)&nbsp;Participate in a contest. Who wouldn’t want free barbecue for a year? Find Dickey’s on Facebook or Twitter and participate in our ‘National Barbecue Month’ contest each week for special prizes.</div><div style="margin-left: 25px;"><br></div><div>Now that you’re prepped and ready to go, it’s time to make it happen. Smoke the city with flavor and enjoy all the barbecue you like, it’s National Barbecue Month!&nbsp;</div><div><br></div>        

10 Ways to Celebrate National Barbecue Month

<div>
  There’s a smoking trail of success in the Tar Heel State with Owner/Operator Eric Davis, who’s been slow smoking meat since childhood. A North Carolina native, Eric’s barbecue roots run deep as
  he’s turned his passion into purpose with Dickey’s Barbecue Pit four years ago. A pharmaceutical representative for the last 18 years, Eric spends his time balancing his healthcare career and
  overseeing the operations at his two locations in Raleigh and Southern Pines. 
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  <br>
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  With his stores maintaining a 10-15 percent catering sales and increased store visits daily, Eric’s ‘claim-to-fame’ in execution is consistency. “I am relentless in consistently serving the best
  quality product to our guests and delivering a customer experience that’s second to none,” he shares. Taking a customer-centric business approach, Eric credits the training and operations support
  to the high-quality guest experience that his team delivers daily. “The training program is a great blueprint in keeping our in-store staff up to standards. It is also operations staff like Kim
  Juda and Brian Lepera that make a difference by providing the appropriate resources and insights that improves our operations and positively impacts the guest experience.” 
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  <br>
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  When he’s not juggling the healthcare world and in-store operations, Eric also oversees his team’s community marketing efforts. “I tell my team to take a full court press when it comes to current
  and prospective guests. It’s our constant and enthusiastic approach with nearby businesses, schools and churches that has made our stores a top-of-mind dining option to the surrounding
  communities.” Eric adds, “It’s a rewarding experience to be an integral part of the community because our guests recognize the high-quality of our food and first-class guest experience.”
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