Dickey’s Barbecue Pit said it plans to have 10 locations in Orange County within about six months, as current operators seek to lease space and new franchise agreements are added in key cities.
The Dallas-based fast-casual chain has two locations in OC, in Brea and Fullerton, with the next restaurant set to open Thursday, January 15 in Laguna Niguel. A fourth location is under construction in Buena Park.
“We signed up for one and then signed up for two more,” said co-owner Stephen Huerth, the Laguna Niguel franchisee who, with his wife Laura, also operates the Brea location. They plan to open their third location in Yorba Linda next year.
A second franchisee runs the Buena Park restaurant and a third operator has the Fullerton location.
The Fullerton franchisee has purchased rights to Costa Mesa, Tustin, and Huntington Beach and is scouting sites there.
Other cities Dickey’s wants to enter include Orange, Fountain Valley, Irvine, Santa Ana and Mission Viejo, according to Anthony Fedele, vice president of real estate and franchise sales.
“In the next six months we expect to lease up about six more,” he said, for a total of 10 locations in the county, by fall.
The company has other locations planned for San Diego and Los Angeles, Fedele said.
Sites have to be at least five miles away from each other, according to the company.
Dickey’s is the build-your-own concept applied to the barbecue restaurant. Patrons “move with your food” said Huerth, choosing meat, sauces and sides.
Dickey’s franchise fee is $15,000, plus a grand opening marketing fee of $8,000, the company said, with royalties, including marketing, totaling 9% of gross sales.
It has about 470 locations nationally.
