1851

Texas-based&nbsp;<a href="https://franchise.dickeys.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=dickeys-barbecue-pit-franchisee-lawsuits-2730010" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Dickey’s Barbecue Pit</a> is under fire from some former franchisees who say the brand’s business model left them deep in debt, while the company insists these accounts do not reflect the experience of most operators.A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.morningstar.com/news/business-wire/20250811186693/new-york-media-misrepresents-texas-based-dickeys-barbecue-pit-success-in-franchising?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=dickeys-barbecue-pit-franchisee-lawsuits-2730010" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">recent article from Morningstar reported that Dickey’s took issue with New York media coverage</a> that, in its view, “misrepresents the brand’s long-standing success and the collaborative relationships” with its franchisees. The company said most of its owner-operators “find great success” and that “franchisee success is the norm.”Several former Long Island franchisees&nbsp;<a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/smallbusiness/li-franchisees-of-dickey-s-barbecue-pit-roast-chain-for-money-woes-amid-scathing-lawsuits-worst-financial-decision-i-ever-made/ar-AA1KfCIV?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=dickeys-barbecue-pit-franchisee-lawsuits-2730010" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">interviewed by the New York Post</a> painted a different picture. Scott Raifer, who opened a Dickey’s in Freeport during the pandemic, said, “It was the worst financial decision I ever made.” Raifer told the Post he is $500,000 in debt and facing foreclosure, adding, “If they did well, it was at the franchisee’s expense.”Another operator, Jerry Stephan, said he invested about $20,000 into opening a Centereach location but claimed the chain later “circumvented” their development agreement.According to the Post, franchisees also criticized Dickey’s for high royalty and marketing fees, as well as restrictions on sourcing less expensive supplies. They said these practices made it difficult to achieve profitability.Dickey’s maintains that its franchise model works for the vast majority of its operators and that it has a history of supporting its network. The company said running a restaurant “isn’t easy” and that any brand will have “some who do not succeed.”<h3>Implications for Franchising</h3>The clash highlights a familiar challenge in franchising — the difference between how a brand presents itself and what franchisees actually experience. Disputes that spill into public view can make it harder to recruit new owners and may prompt stronger demands for clarity on earnings and operational rules.While Dickey’s and its critics tell sharply different stories, the situation illustrates the high stakes for both sides in a franchise relationship — and how quickly disputes can spill into public view.Read the original Morningstar article&nbsp;<a href="https://www.morningstar.com/news/business-wire/20250811186693/new-york-media-misrepresents-texas-based-dickeys-barbecue-pit-success-in-franchising?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=dickeys-barbecue-pit-franchisee-lawsuits-2730010" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">here</a>. Read the original New York Post article (served up by MSN)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/smallbusiness/li-franchisees-of-dickey-s-barbecue-pit-roast-chain-for-money-woes-amid-scathing-lawsuits-worst-financial-decision-i-ever-made/ar-AA1KfCIV?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=dickeys-barbecue-pit-franchisee-lawsuits-2730010" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">here</a>.Every great franchisee had help buying a franchise. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.1851growthclub.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=dickeys-barbecue-pit-franchisee-lawsuits-2730010" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.1851growthclub.com</a> and start your journey.

Dickey's Franchisee Backlash - Lawsuits - Disputes - 1851 Franchise

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Franchise Faces Disputes Over Profitability and Support

1851 Franchise

Franchisees and corporate leaders offer conflicting accounts of Dickey’s operations, highlighting tensions over support, costs and profitability.

Texas-Based Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Grapples with Franchisee Backlash

dickeys-barbecue-pit-franchisee-lawsuits

Fitness Premier

Fitness Premier: A Legacy of Excellence, Built on a Foundation of Fitness

fitness-premier-a-legacy-of-excellence-built-on-a-foundation-of-fitness

Busy Bee Jumpers

From Solo Hustle to Franchise Muscle: Why Converting to a Busy Bee Franchise Just Makes Sense

busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-conversion-opportunity

Paris Baguette

Paris Baguette Franchise - Anusha Jonnala and Swapna Varala - 1851 Franchise

Blending Tech, Hospitality and Health Care: How Three Women From Different Worlds Came Together to Build a Paris Baguette Franchise

paris-baguette-franchise-flower-mound-texas

Minuteman Press International

The Brown Family and team at Minuteman Press in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.

Minuteman Press Franchise Review: 30-Year Legacy in Rancho Cucamonga

minuteman-press-franchise-review-30-year-legacy-in-rancho-cucamonga

Beansquad

BeanSquad Franchise - How BeanSquad Is Taking the Stress Out of Franchise Bookkeeping - 1851

How BeanSquad Is Taking the Stress Out of Franchise Bookkeeping

beansquad-accounting-franchise-bookkeeping

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Design with person in blazer, with laptop, holding sign that reads "LOOKING FOR A JOB"

Uptick in Jobless Claims Points to Continued Instability in Labor Market

jobless-claims-franchise-growth

Extraordinary Brands Acquires CycleBar and Rumble, Shaking Up Boutique Fitness Franchising

extraordinary-brands-cyclebar-rumble-boxing-acquisition

NJCAR v. Ford - New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

new-jersey-franchise-practices-act-njcar-v-ford

Planet Fitness Franchisees Donate $100K to Support Texas Flood Relief - 1851 Franchise

Planet Fitness Franchisees Donate $100K To Support Texas Flood Relief

planet-fitness-texas-flood-relief

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Rising Jobless Claims Could Signal Challenges — and Opportunities — for Franchising

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down Amid Challenges, Leaving Franchisees Facing Uncertainty

wendys-ceo-transition-kirk-tanner-franchisee-uncertainty

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

part-time-franchises-picking-the-right-model

Why This Real Estate Broker Decided To Bring Caring Transitions to Central Texas

caring-transitions-san-marcos-kyle-chad-hardin

911 Restoration Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

Texas-Based Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Grapples with Franchisee Backlash

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS