Operations

Dickey's to open 100 ghost kitchens with Ghost Kitchen Brands

The barbecue chain will license its concept to the Toronto-based operator of to-go-only kitchens.
Dickey's exterior
Dickey's has 550 locations worldwide and plans to add 100 more with Ghost Kitchen Brands. / Photograph: Shutterstock

Dickey's Barbecue Pit is bringing its brand to more than 100 ghost kitchens in North America starting this month.

Its Texas-style barbecue will soon be among the options at outlets operated by Toronto-based Ghost Kitchen Brands, joining Cinnabon, Quizno’s, Nathan’s Famous, Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken and more.

Dickey's will launch in two Ghost Kitchen locations in the U.S. this month, followed by more here and in Canada, via a licensing agreement with the operator.

Ghost Kitchen Brands offers a variety of restaurants and consumer packaged goods for pickup or delivery from a single kitchen, many of which are inside Walmart stores. Guests can order any combination of the products online, via third-party delivery apps or in person at a kiosk. It opened its first U.S. location in Rochester, N.Y., in September.

Ghost kitchens are a part of Dallas-based Dickey's growth strategy. It has additional ghost kitchen agreements with franchisees in Rhode Island, Chicago, Houston and Orlando. 

"Dickey’s is committed to constantly evolving with consumer trends, and Ghost Kitchen Brands’ innovative model provides another opportunity for us to stay ahead of the curve," said Dickey's CEO Laura Rea Dickey in a statement.

The chain has 550 locations worldwide and expects to have 600 by the end of the year.

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