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Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is introducing virtual kitchens as its newest non-traditional franchise opportunity. The brand is set to open virtual kitchens in Chicago, Houston, Orlando, and Providence, Rhode Island. This will mark the brand’s debut in the Providence market.
The virtual kitchen model allows restaurants to maximize delivery coverage without the upfront investment required by traditional brick-and-mortar locations. Because the facility includes a kitchen for restaurants to prepare foods, the only equipment needed to operate a Dickey’s location is a smoker and a warming cabinet. Virtual kitchens handle food delivery and have additional staff at the facility, so operators only need to employ a limited number of team members. In addition to virtual kitchens meeting lower labor costs, they also offer a fast-track to opening, with a location able to begin serving in just one month.
“Virtual kitchens are a unique franchising opportunity that gives us a new and innovative way to capitalize on consumer trends at a low cost,” said Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. “Delivery is a rapidly growing channel in our industry right now, and we believe it will continue to be a preference for guests post-pandemic.”