It's a tough time to be in the food industry. We've seen numerous restaurants close down in recent years due to high food costs, high labor costs, and weak sales. Now, a bbq chain is suffering with seeing over a quarter of their locations shutting down in the last year.

Restaurant Business did in an in-depth story on the struggling chain, and interviewed franchisees about what's lead to the closures.

Dickey's BBQ currently has five locations in Minnesota.

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The Dickey's BBQ locations still open in Minnesota are located in Eagan, Eden Prairie, Edina, Mankato, and North Branch.

Restaurant Business reports that Dickey's revenue plunged 20% in 2024. They closed 85 locations during May 2023 - May 2024.

Overall, with 30 more closures, it puts Dickey's at losing 28% of their chain's stores in the last year and a half.

Read More: Is Chi-Chi's Making A Comeback In Minnesota?

Franchisees are complaining about the cost of operating a Dickeys' location, with high costs from the company-run food supply chain. They also say pricing limits, digital discounts, and cost overruns for making the problem worse.

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Dickey's BBQ recently has shared press releases highlighting the success of certain business owners and locations that are expanding. The BBQ chain has been around for over 80 years after being founded in 1941.

According to UnhappyFranchisee, multiple Minnesota stores have already closed, including Dickey's locations in Bemidji, Rochester, and Hermantown, Minnesota.

QSR Magazine also reports that Dickey's BBQ shut down 97 locations in 2024, but did manage to open 12 stores.

In 2018, the chain had 562 stores. At the end of this fiscal year, the chain only has 357 locations.

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Gallery Credit: Madison Troyer

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