Barbecue, Books & Business: Grant by Ron Chernow
Welcome back to Barbecue, Books, & Business with Roland Dickey, Jr., where we dive into captivating reads and uncover lessons to fuel your personal and professional growth. This week, we’re talking about Grant by Ron Chernow—a definitive, richly detailed biography of Ulysses S. Grant, one of America’s most complex and impactful figures.
Roland shares his takeaways from this remarkable book, including an inspiring lesson about perseverance and finding your unique strength. Despite struggling in almost every aspect of life—business ventures, his early military career, and even his presidency—Grant found his brilliance in one area: military strategy.
What stood out? Grant’s relentless focus and determination during the Civil War. While others hesitated, he took decisive action, leveraging his resources and never letting up. It’s a powerful reminder that success comes from identifying your “one thing,” the skill or talent you’re exceptional at, and committing to it wholeheartedly.
Tune in for Roland’s reflections on leadership, history, and what it means to turn setbacks into triumphs. Plus, hear how Grant’s story parallels timeless lessons for anyone aiming to make an impact.
Give this episode a watch and let me know what you think in the comments.
About Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc.
Founded in 1941 by the Dickey family, Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. is the world’s largest barbecue concept and continues as a third-generation family-run business. For more than 80 years, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit has served millions with its signature Legit. Texas. Barbecue.™ Slow-smoked over hickory wood-burning pits, Dickey’s barbecued meats are paired with a variety of Southern sides. Committed to authentic barbecue, Dickey’s never takes shortcuts — because real barbecue can’t be rushed.
With more than 866 restaurants across eight concepts in the U.S. and several countries, Dickey’s Barbecue Franchise and Dickey’s Restaurant Brands continue to grow under the leadership of Roland Dickey Jr., CEO of Dickey’s Capital Group, and Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc.
Dickey’s has been recognized on Newsweek’s 2022 “America’s Favorite Restaurant Chains” list, Nation’s Restaurant News 2024 top fast-casual brands for value, and USA Today’s 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards. The brand has also ranked in the Top 20 of Fast Casual’s “Top 100 Movers and Shakers” for four of the past five years. Additional accolades include Entrepreneur’s Top 500 Franchise and Hospitality Technology’s Industry Heroes list. The brand has been featured by Fox News, Forbes, Franchise Times, The Wall Street Journal, and People Magazine.
For more information, visit www.dickeys.com. For franchise opportunities, visit www.dickeysfranchise.com.