Think and work globally

Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc., also known as Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, is the largest barbecue chain globally, with over 866 locations in the U.S. and internationally. CEO Laura Dickey leads initiatives to implement innovative technological solutions that streamline operations, allowing restaurateurs to focus on food and customer service. The company's mission is to provide Legit. Texas. Barbecue™, using traditional methods like slow-smoking over hickory wood-burning pits, and offers high-quality barbecue with a variety of southern sides for an authentic experience. Their franchise model supports aspiring entrepreneurs with training, technology, and ongoing assistance. Additionally, the company promotes community service through The Dickey Foundation, aiding first responders and various charitable initiatives. Laura's key achievement has been guiding Dickey’s Barbecue Pit through significant growth while maintaining brand integrity.

Laura is also the CEO of Spark Hospitality Technology, through which they provide technological solutions that support Dickey's and empower fellow restaurant operators, improving their operations and customer experiences. She takes immense pride in the digital transformation initiated not only within Dickey’s but also through Spark Hospitality Technology.

Laura takes immense pride in their longstanding legacy within the barbecue industry and the significant impact they have made over the years. Her leadership philosophy encompasses two key principles. Firstly, she advocates for continuous adaptation to change, which is essential for improvement and relevance. Secondly, she emphasizes leading with a focus on results, guided by empathy, transparency, and integrity.

Understanding and valuing team members is the foundation of effective leadership, according to Laura. She leads by example, remains approachable, welcomes feedback, and actively engages with her team. Laura cultivates an environment that encourages idea sharing, initiative, and contribution to the company's success. Her interactions with employees, franchisees, and partners reflect this approach, characterized by an open-door policy and a dedication to clear communication. Ultimately, Laura's team is committed to upholding their values of quality, authenticity, and family while expanding their global presence.

Laura’s passion lies in creating a technology company that serves the broader restaurant industry and addresses genuine challenges. However, the most rewarding aspect of her role is the company's dedication to social responsibility, particularly through The Dickey Foundation's ongoing support for first responders. The ability to merge business growth with meaningful social impact is a legacy she cherishes.

Laura also knows that even though a company's culture may change slowly, the warning signs are often very clear. For example, she says that low morale, lack of enthusiasm, and collaboration are all immediate red flags. Also, employees who are disengaged, don't want to contribute, or are leaving in large numbers are signs of deeper problems. If the culture isn't aligned with the company's mission and values, it's important to talk to the team about their concerns and make changes to realign the culture with the most important core values. Therefore, Laura dedicates herself to creating a work environment that is supportive and inclusive, ensuring that employees feel valued, empowered, and motivated. A robust sense of collaboration is crucial for fostering innovation and achieving success, says Laura. When employees unite, utilizing their distinct perspectives and skills, it enhances creativity and problem-solving. To promote effective collaboration, cultivating a culture of open communication is vital, where team members feel empowered to share ideas and insights. As a leader, she advocates for collaboration by ensuring that all voices are acknowledged and that the team possesses the necessary tools and resources for effective teamwork. Optimizing collaboration enhances the organization's agility, adaptability, and success.

Besides, a primary challenge for Laura as a leader is balancing the immediate demands of the business with long-term vision. In the fast-paced restaurant industry, short-term pressures are constant, yet she aims to stay focused on future objectives. Leading a large, diverse company with corporate and franchise operations adds complexity. Ensuring consistent communication and alignment across all levels requires continuous attention and collaboration. However, she sees these challenges as opportunities for engagement and motivation to lead purposefully.

Like any expanding business, there is always opportunity for improvement. One area of focus is to enhance the customer experience, particularly through technology. Although they have made considerable progress with digital ordering and loyalty programs, there remains potential to further develop these capabilities and ensure their full integration across all locations.

Also, digital transformation for them centers on improving customer experience and internal efficiency through technology. They aim to enhance customer interactions with the brand via chat, AI queries, digital ordering, loyalty programs, and mobile apps. Internally, they are working on implementing smarter systems to streamline operations, such as inventory management and staff scheduling. Navigating the challenges of digital transformation requires innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. Additionally, enhancing operational consistency across franchises is a vital priority. They are committed to staying ahead of technology trends and ensuring their teams and franchisees are equipped to leverage these advancements.

To maintain a competitive edge, continuous innovation is essential, adds Laura. Evolving customer offerings through new menu items, enhanced digital capabilities, or improved service is necessary. Embracing technology in customer experience and operational efficiency serves as a significant differentiator. For them, it is staying true to core values, particularly the commitment to authentic, high-quality barbecue, while adapting to modern consumer demands that can create new competitive advantages.

In the near future, they aim to enhance digital capabilities to improve customer experience by launching a new app version with upgraded loyalty features and refining the digital ordering process. They plan to introduce more chicken and healthier menu options to address the increasing demand for balanced choices. Furthermore, they are developing new initiatives through The Dickey Foundation to reinforce their commitment to first responders and community projects. They look forward to continuing innovation and giving back.

As they continue to expand, Laura is enthusiastic about exploring further innovations within Dickey’s Barbecue Pit and through Spark Hospitality Technology. Their commitment to quality, community, and technology will persist in propelling their success and enabling them to create a more significant impact. The future looks promising, and she is keen to guide their team into the next phase of their journey. They aim to guarantee that every Dickey’s location provides the same high-quality experience for guests, irrespective of their location!