Dickey's Barbecue Pit, the largest quick-serve barbecue chain in the country, continues to grow as the initial plans begin to open its first franchise in Miami.

"Dickey's impressed us. We drove four hours to the nearest location and the meat quality, the overall food quality, was great and at a reasonable price point. We were sold," says Hicham Kehdy, an owner/operator for this initial Miami location.

This is the first Dickey's Barbecue franchise opportunity for Kehdy and his business partner, Gilbert Harb, a Miami architect.

"I want to be my own boss and there's a great need for good barbeque in the Miami area," Harb says.

Texas-based Dickey's Barbecue Pit opened in 1941 and began franchising in 1994. Dickey's Barbecue Pit is well-known for their hot pit-smoked signature meats, complimentary ice cream, and the big yellow cups.

"We are so thrilled Dickey's will be expanding in Florida and the people of Miami. Miami is a great community and we are very excited to have a franchise here," President of Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Roland Dickey, Jr. says. "As our company grows, we grow as a family. This is another great opportunity for the company."

Since early 2011, Dickey's has opened 12 stores nationwide and 60 are set to open before the end of 2011.

The preparation prior to opening a Dickey's franchise is extensive, ensuring that owner/operators are thoroughly prepared to hit the ground running.

"We have so many new owner/operators who are investing with us. With this economy, we are glad people trust us for success and we certainly don't take that for granted. Their victory is our victory and we don't plan on going anywhere but up," Dickey says.

The original Dallas location is still open for business and Dickey's Barbecue Pit is still owned and operated by the Dickey Family. There are now 146 locations in 33 states.