Ken Bush Brings New Life to Dickey’s Barbecue Pit in Washington State
Ken Bush, a Dickey’s Barbecue Pit franchisee, is revitalizing two Washington state locations with strategic leadership and operational improvements. Since acquiring the Yakima store in May 2024 and the Richland store in November 2024, Bush has driven significant growth through modern upgrades, enhanced operations, and a strong focus on employee development.
“When I took over, I saw the opportunity to revitalize the business and bring it back to its full potential,” Bush said. “We invested in creating a cleaner, more modern experience, reintroducing key menu items, and improving processes to enhance guest satisfaction and efficiency. Seeing the positive results has been incredibly rewarding.”
Bush’s efforts have already led to a 34% increase in sales and a 68% jump in check count at the Yakima location. By introducing online ordering and optimizing in-store systems, Bush has unlocked untapped potential and elevated the guest experience.
In Richland, Bush focused on the store’s robust catering operations. He streamlined leadership by implementing a regional management structure, which allowed resources to be shared between locations. Cost-saving measures were reinvested into the team, resulting in raises and paid vacation benefits for long-term employees.
“Ken’s leadership and commitment to the Dickey’s brand are outstanding,” said Roland Dickey Jr., CEO of Dickey’s Capital Group. “His ability to identify opportunities and make meaningful changes has delivered impressive results. He is a shining example of what makes our franchise system so successful.”
Bush, whose background is in business and technology consulting, credits his team and operational systems for the successful turnaround of both locations.
“Ken’s story highlights the power of thoughtful leadership and the strength of the Dickey’s franchise model,” said Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. “His focus on community engagement, employee investment, and operational excellence demonstrates what is possible when the right strategies are put into place.”
With Yakima and Richland thriving, Bush is looking to expand further, strengthening Dickey’s presence in Washington. “Multi-unit ownership is critical for long-term success,” Bush said. “It allows us to share resources, strengthen our team, and better serve our customers.”
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.