Dickey's Barbecue Pit Brings Different Flavor to Middletown, NY

By: Dickey's Barbecue Pit® | 3 Shares 202 Reads

March 28, 2008 // Franchising.com // - (MIDDLETOWN, New York) – Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants and current NYPD police officer Martha Tapia will establish Middletown's first barbecue restaurant later this year. The new Dickey's Barbecue Pit will be located at 330 Route 211 East in the ShopRite Shopping Center at Fairgrounds Plaza.

New to Middletown, Tapia learned quickly how to make a difference in the town she calls home.

"There are many restaurant concepts here, but none as unique as Dickey's Barbecue," said Tapia. "There is a need for great barbecue here, and once my neighbors taste Dickey's, they will realize how much they needed it."

Ever since she worked an office job with a local insurance company, Tapia knew she had to feed her entrepreneurial appetite. In the early 90s, while still in college, she opened "Martha's Fashions."

"It was a good business, but I knew there was more I was capable of doing," continued Tapia, the youngest of six immigrant children from Ecuador. "From learning the language to protecting my city, I have always been a fighter and a champion of success."

As a police officer, Tapia routinely considered ways to make additional income, but it wasn't until her husband mentioned the concept of franchising to her last year, that Dickey's could become a reality for her.

"He was searching on the Internet for good franchising investments and Dickey's was one of the first choices," Tapia added. "We did all of our homework, drove all over town and discovered the one type of restaurant this area didn't have was quality barbecue. 30 days later and a trip to Dallas at Dickey's headquarters, we had a contract signed."

In early February 2008, Martha traveled to Dickey's corporate headquarters to learn more about the concept, its food and business model for success. She met with people about the franchise over lunch at the original Dickey's Barbecue Pit built in 1941.

"I even had seconds," said Eddie Sanchez, Tapia's husband and manager of the Middletown location. "We knew right then this was going to be a good investment for our family and future, not to mention our community back home."

Although Tapia will continue to protect and serve as one of New York's finest, she already plans to work with local churches and schools for discount programs, community involvement and philanthropic opportunities.

Martha believes in discounts for civil servants and working with local schools will be two reasons Dickey's Barbecue will become synonymous with Middletown.

About Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants

Founded in 1941, Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants began in Dallas, Texas with a single goal – "Serve the best tastin' barbecue imaginable, just the way people like it. And don't make 'em wait too long to get it." More than 60 years later, Dickey's is now the fastest growing barbecue chain in the country and is rapidly becoming the largest franchising concept in its category serving some of the best mouth waterin', lip smackin', great tastin' barbecue in the United States. Beginning with an aggressive growth strategy and proven business model, and since implementing its proprietary five revenue streams for business growth, Dickey's is on track to double its locations in 2008. Currently, Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants can be found in more than 15 states and 90 locations nationwide. For more information on partnering with Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants in any location, call (866) 340-6188 or visit www.dickeys.com/franchise.aspx. Dickey's: Slow cooked. Served fast.

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