Army Veteran Leads Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Franchise Turnaround in Tacoma

Franchise unit transfers are a well-established route into franchise ownership in the United States. Franchise brand Dickey’s Barbecue Pit saw U.S. Army veteran Michael Cheong-Leen take over its Tacoma, Washington, location in March 2026. Since becoming franchisee, he has introduced operational upgrades, new local craft beer offerings, and extended late-night hours.

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit traces its origins to a single Dallas location opened in 1941, and has since grown into one of the largest barbecue chains in the United States through a franchise model centered on slow-smoked meats cooked over hickory wood. The Tacoma location on 16th Avenue has operated in Pierce County since 2013. Cheong-Leen’s acquisition of the unit follows a franchise resale process, a pathway that industry data consistently identifies as a significant share of new franchise ownership activity in the U.S. each year.

First Changes After the Ownership Transition

Since assuming control of the unit, Cheong-Leen has introduced upgrades on multiple fronts. On the beverage side, the restaurant now offers local craft beers on draft: Narrows Brewing Mexican Lager, 7 Seas Rude Parrot IPA, and Portland Cider Company Huckleberry Lemonade Cider. Behind the scenes, kitchen equipment has been updated to improve service speed. A new late-night schedule takes effect on June 19: Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., with Friday and Saturday hours extended until midnight. The full slow-smoked menu, including brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and chicken, remains available throughout those extended hours.

“When the opportunity came to take over this Dickey’s location, I saw it as a chance to build something special for the Tacoma community,” said Michael Cheong-Leen, franchisee and Pit Master at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Tacoma. “Dickey’s has always been known for upholding Southern barbecue traditions and serving quality, slow-smoked proteins, and my goal is to pair that with a welcoming, modern and comfortable space where people can gather, connect and enjoy a great meal.”

Local Partnerships at the Core of the Community Strategy

Cheong-Leen has structured a set of community ties alongside the operational changes. The Tacoma location is engaged with the Steilacoom Annual Salmon Bake and is actively working with the Pierce County Veterans Advisory Board to promote veteran employment. Initiatives in partnership with nonprofits serving unhoused individuals in the region are also underway. That combination of local vendor relationships, community events, and employment-focused partnerships reflects a franchise model that Dickey’s has promoted as part of its franchisee support framework, particularly for operators with a background in public service.

Veterans and the U.S. Franchise Resale Market

Veterans represent a notable segment of the U.S. franchise owner population. The International Franchise Association (IFA) has consistently ranked franchising as one of the most active sectors for veteran entrepreneurship, and several national programs, including the SBA’s VetFran initiative, provide reduced fees and financing pathways for qualifying veteran franchisees. For brands like Dickey’s, which has operated in the barbecue category for more than 80 years, veteran-franchisee stories carry both recruitment and brand value. Cheong-Leen’s profile, a military career followed by a franchise resale acquisition, illustrates how existing units can change hands and gain renewed operational momentum under new ownership, without requiring the brand to develop a new territory from scratch.

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