The Rise And Fall Of Dickeys Barbecue In Minnesota

It was once the largest barbecue chain in the country, with many locations here in Minnesota. But now, this restaurant has just three locations left standing, leaving barbecued ribs, brisket, and burnt ends a little harder to come by in the Bold North.

Not that long ago, this barbecue restaurant chain boasted over 860 locations across the country and was adding restaurants here faster than a normal winter storm adds inches of snow to your driveway here in the North Star State. But that was nearly eight years ago, and now this chain has become the latest in a string of national restaurants to shutter a portion of its restaurants.

Why Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Is Disappearing in Minnesota

It was in 2024 that Dickey's BBQ Pit announced it would be closing 19 more locations on top of previous closings that had already happened earlier that year. All told, those closings meant the chain had reduced its restaurant count by 97 locations, industry site QSR noted, though it also said the chain had opened 12 'franchised units' in 2024 as well.

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These announcements hit close to home because we love our restaurants, right? They play a unique role in our economy and culture, both here in Minnesota and across the country. The National Restaurant Association estimates that there are currently over 11,100 restaurants in the North Star State, generating over $15 billion in sales.

Dickey's Barbecue Pit is the chain that's known for serving smoked beef brisket, southern pulled pork, St. Louis-style ribs, spicy cheddar sausage, smoked chicken, turkey, and more. It was founded by Travis Dickey in Dallas, Texas, all the way back in 1941.

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How Many Dickey’s Locations Are Left in Minnesota?

Dickey's has expanded a lot since then, and according to its website, it now features '866 locations spanning eight unique concepts in 44 states and around the globe.' But it's down to just three locations here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Dickey's restaurants' closing has been making news for a couple of years now.

EatThisNotThat says that Dickey's shuttered 30 more locations in December of 2024. This Unhappy Franchisee story says those closings were in addition to Dickey's having previously closed several locations here in the Bold North, including Dickey's restaurants in Eden Prairie, Edina, Mankato, Bemidji, Hermantown, Burnsville, and here in Rochester.

In a story I wrote last fall, the Dickey's Barbecue Pit website had listed just four locations that are still open here in Minnesota:

3090 Courthouse Lane in Eagan
5466 Saint Croix Trail in North Branch
10050 Crosstown Circle in Eden Prairie
7300 Metro Boulevard in Edina

What Happened to This Once-Dominant BBQ Chain

But now, the Minnesota locations page on the Dickey's website does not list its Edina location, leaving just the Eagan, North Branch, and Eden Prairie restaurants as its three remaining locations in Minnesota. At least it's not gone for good!

I'm glad there are at least some Dickey's Barbecue Pits left in our fair state. Some brands, though, weren't so lucky. So, to check out some familiar names that were once popular but now only exist in our memories, keep scrolling to see 50 beloved retail chains that aren't around anymore and see how many you remember!