Former Air Force Pilot Opens Dickey’s in North Central Wisconsin

(Wausau, WI) Plan to spend Friday, February 8 at the new Dickey’s Barbecue Pit in Wausau or its opening day. Dickey’s will be giving the first 100 customers at the Wausau location free Pulled Pork Big Barbecue sandwiches.

“When I left the Air Force, I saw an opportunity through Dickey’s to move my family close to home, and combine a family tradition of my own with some excellent barbecue,” said Philip Ries. “I’m excited to be bringing flavorful southern comfort food to the Wausau and North Central Wisconsin area.”

With the help of Summit Credit Union, Philip Ries, former Air Force Pilot and his wife Christina were able to transition to civilian life and begin their new chapter as barbecue franchise owners. Philip lives in Merrill with his wife and three children.

“Dickey’s has a great franchise opportunity for Veterans — it was simple and easy,” said Ries. “The people we’ve met over the last several months have really helped us get our restaurant off the ground.  We’re excited for our new adventure.”

This is the sixth Dickey’s location in Wisconsin; Ries hopes to open at least two more locations in north central Wisconsin. The new BBQ restaurant is located at 2111 Stewart Ave, northeast of the I-29 and Hwy 51 interchange and the store phone number is 715-803-8585. Katy Heibler is the general manager for this location.

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.