Dickey’s Barbecue chain Fresno-Clovis bound

Source: The Business Journal
Written by Chuck Harvey

 Barbecue tri-tip, ribs and pulled pork have become favorites in the Fresno-Clovis area and a planned addition of two new Dickey’s Barbecue Pit restaurants — one in Fresno and the other in Clovis — will add to the area’s already impressive list of barbecue establishments, each offering its own brand of beef and pork, seasoned with tasty barbecue sauces and rubs. The attraction of barbecue could prove a big plus for Fresno and Clovis where travelers like to stop on their way to Yosemite and other Sierra locations. “If we team up, we could become a barbecue destination,” said Manuel Perales, owner of High Sierra Grillhouse in Fresno. He added, “Tri tip and barbecue ribs are our top two sellers.” “Barbecue has always been popular here,” Perales added. Perales said the addition of Dickey’s Barbecue Pit could help bring more barbecue lovers to Fresno and Clovis. Also, television shows like Barbecue Pit Masters on Destination America cable TV, have helped educate people to some degree about good barbecue, said Gregory Washington, owner of Smokey’s Grill in Fresno. Washington said it is important, adding that Fresno is more of a taco town with most residents seeking cheap food. By contrast, Washington said he gets repeat customers from all over the globe. And if high-speed rail is built, it will bring even more travelers to Fresno seeking good barbecue, he said. Many clamor for the styles of barbecue that made Kansas City, Missouri and much of Texas famous for its ribs, pulled pork and brisket. Dallas-based Dickey’s Barbecue pit is known for its eight hot pit-smoked barbecue meats, barbecue beans and free ice cream. All meats are slow-smoked on site at each restaurant. Dickey’s franchise owners Kevin and Brian Roche plan to open the Clovis location this summer followed by a Fresno Dickey’s in October. The Fresno Dickey’s Barbecue will be in the El Paseo Shopping Center at the southwest corner of Herndon Avenue and Riverside Drive. It will span 2,400 square feet. The Clovis Dickey’s Barbecue will be at 1610 Herndon Ave., just west of Fowler Ave. Jami Zimmerman, director of public relations for Texas-based Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc., said the Roche partners plan to open four or five more of the restaurants in the Fresno area in the near future. But it doesn’t end there. Dickey’s Barbecue struck a 10-year deal with the Roches and partner Phil Fontes to develop 100 restaurants in Southern and Central California. It’s the largest development deal ever made by the 72-year-old restaurant enterprise. The partners are centering their local development plans in Fresno, Clovis and Hanford. They are also seeking sites on the coast near Seaside and Santa Maria. “I tried a Dickey’s in Minnesota and was blown away,” said Kevin Roche recently. “I immediately called Bryan and told him we had found out new franchise.” Each of the Dickey’s locations will hire as many as 25 workers and several managers. Dickey’s already has restaurants in Hanford, Visalia and Porterville. It is ramping up for two in Kingsburg, under the franchise ownership of Steve Pellegrine. Dickey’s franchising began in 1994 and Roland Dickey took on the position as president of the company in 2006. He expanded the reach of Dickey’s from 20 restaurants to 300 restaurants. Dickey’s currently has 32 locations in California with another 18 in development.

 URL to the original article: http://www.thebusinessjournal.com/news/retail/12313-dickey-s-barbecue-chain-fresno-clovis-bound 

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