The Dickey Foundation Provides an $8,200 Grant to Richland Fire Department

Lunch Provided by Dickey’s Barbecue Pit in Richland, WA

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Dickey Foundation, the charitable arm of Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, proudly awarded an $8,200 grant to the Richland Fire Department to support frontline safety and emergency response efforts in the Tri-Cities region. The grant funded two High Power Battery Saw Bundles along with two additional Diamond Priya blades, critical tools that assist firefighters in complex rescue operations, vehicle extrications, and structural emergencies.

The presentation took place on Tuesday, November 18th from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. at Station 74, located at 2710 Duportail St., Richland, WA 99352. Following the grant ceremony, attendees enjoyed a complimentary lunch provided by Dickey’s Barbecue Pit in Richland, WA, courtesy of franchisee Ken Bush.

The new high-power battery saws will enhance the department’s capabilities on calls where speed, precision, and reliability are essential. This equipment allows firefighters to quickly access trapped individuals, breach compromised structures, and perform time-sensitive rescues with improved efficiency and safety.

“Supporting first responders is core to who we are as a brand,” said Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. “While we smoke our brisket low and slow, when there is a first responder grant request we can fulfill, we move fast. The Dickey Foundation is honored to make this donation to the Richland community.”

Richland Fire Department leaders expressed deep appreciation for the contribution and emphasized the impact this equipment will have on their operations.

“This grant directly strengthens our ability to respond to emergencies across Richland,” said Deputy Chief Randy Aust of the Richland Fire Department. “The new saw bundles are essential tools that enhance both firefighter safety and the lifesaving work we do daily. We are grateful to The Dickey Foundation and to our local Dickey’s Barbecue Pit for supporting our mission and investing in our community.”

Local franchisee Ken Bush continues to champion community involvement through his Richland Dickey’s Barbecue Pit location. Ken is not just a multi-unit owner for Dickey’s, he’s part of the community and originally from Richland. His stores serve the area every day, and he is the reason Dickey’s awarded this grant, as he advocated on behalf of the donation and helped bring all parties together. Providing lunch for firefighters, city officials, and attendees was another way to honor the department’s service and strengthen the relationship between first responders and the community.

“As someone who grew up here, supporting the Richland Fire Department is deeply personal,” said Ken Bush. “These firefighters show up for us every single day. Being able to help equip them with the tools they need to stay safe and save lives is an honor. This community has given me so much, and giving back is simply the right thing to do.”

About The Dickey Foundation

The Dickey Foundation, formerly known as Barbecue, Boots & Badges, is the charitable arm of Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. Dedicated to supporting first responders across the United States, the Foundation provides essential safety equipment, protective armor, rescue gear, and financial support to enhance the safety and well-being of those who risk their lives to protect their communities. By partnering with local franchisees and communities nationwide, The Dickey Foundation works tirelessly to ensure first responders have the tools and resources they need to keep us all safe. For more information or to get involved, visit www.thedickeyfoundation.org.

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 387 locations 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.