The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

September 8, 2010

Dickey’s Barbecue coming to town

Texas-based restaurant to open next year

By Tim Krohn Free Press Staff Writer

MANKATO — Get ready to strap on the bib and get out the Baby Wipes.

Texas-based Dickey’s Barbecue, the largest barbecue chain in the country, plans to open two Dickey’s Barbecue Pit stores in Mankato.

The restaurants will be owned and operated by Jacob Miller.

He said they will open locations in or near the University Square area by Minnesota State University and in the Madison Avenue hilltop area.

Miller, a senior at MSU, said he’s been involved in some business ventures, including working with Dakota Grills, a startup business selling indoor grills invented by the father of a college friend in South Dakota.

Miller tasted Dickey’s food when a Twin Cities Dickey’s catered an alumni event. “Their food was great and they have an affordable menu price. That’s what drew me to talking to them.”

Miller said he’s able to finance the startup thanks to a loan from his grandparents. “I’m very lucky to have some very generous grandparents.”

Miller said he will locate the restaurants in existing space, rather than building new, and plans openings to be early next year.  

Dickey’s offers hot pit-smoked meats and free ice cream.

It slow smokes its meats overnight at each restaurant.

The first Dickey’s Barbecue opened in 1941 in Dallas.

Since early 2009, Dickey’s has nearly doubled in size and is set to open 20 more locations before the end of 2010.

Dickey’s began franchising in 1994. There are now more than 120 locations in 30 states.

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