Jeff Forrester Named VP of Purchasing & R&D at Dickey’s

‘(Dallas, Texas) Jeff Forrester has been named vice president of purchasing and research and development for Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc., the nation’slargest barbecue franchise.

“I enjoy working with manufacturers to develop products that differentiate Dickey’s from other restaurant concepts and then working internally to be sure that the value of those products is expressed to both franchisees and our guests,” said Jeff Forrester, Vice President of Purchasing and R&D. “I grew up in the Dallas area and Dickey’s has always been an iconic brand that I identify with home.”

Born in Wylie, Texas, Forrester, age 47, began his career at Dickey’s in August 2011 as the Director of Purchasing. Forrester went to Tarleton State University and the Art Institute of Dallas. Forrester was appointed Executive Chef/Culinary Director for “Food Network Live” and then went on to be the Executive Chef/Culinary Director for the Culinary Entertainment Group. Forrester’s career has allowed him to cook with esteemed chefs like Brian Tolbert, Emeril Lagasse, Alton Brown and Kent Rathburn and he even prepared meals for Julia Child.

“Since joining Dickey’s, Jeff has been instrumental in driving the brand’s culinary development including adding new menu items such as the Spicy Chicken Sandwich and the Barbecue Honey Ham,” said Roland Dickey, Jr., president and CEO of Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. “We have great confidence in Jeff’s ability to continue to develop systems that will catapult Dickey’s to the next level.”

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.