Dickey's Barbecue Pit continues to grow throughout California, with an increased store count that is second only behind its home state of Texas. The first of four new stores will open in spring 2017 in Foothill Ranch. Two in Irvine and one in Mission Viejo are to follow. The four new locations are included in a development agreement between Dickey's and new franchisee Scott Cole.

"We congratulate Scott Cole on his four-store development agreement," says Roland Dickey Jr., CEO of Dickey's Barbecue Pit. "We are growing rapidly in California, and we are very proud to continue opening new locations to serve Texas-style barbecue to the people of California."

Scott Cole has called Orange County home his entire life. While spending the beginning of his professional career in business development, he decided it was time to have a business of his own. Born and raised in California, the people, food and culture of the Golden State is nothing new to him so when it came time to start a business he knew that the restaurant industry was the way to go. Cole, along with his wife Susan were eager to start out on a new adventure by opening their own franchise together. After doing extensive research, the Coles found a home with Dickey's Barbecue. "I researched a variety of brands and chose Dickey's because I just love the food," Cole says. "Now I look forward to becoming a part of the Dickey's family and serving great barbecue to my community."

Among his love for Dickey's authentic slow-smoked Texas barbecue, Cole saw that there was a void in the market for a fast casual barbecue restaurant. "In Texas, there is a barbecue place on every corner, and we just don't have that here," Cole says.