Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Kicks Off 85th Anniversary with Daily “Kids Eat Free” Promotion Nationwide.

Dallas, December 19, 2025 – As the dust settles from the holiday season and families begrudgingly ease back into routines, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is stepping up with an offer designed to soften the blow to parents’ wallets.

The world’s largest barbecue franchise, a third-generation family-run business with nearly a century of slow-smoked expertise, is kicking off its 85th anniversary with a nationwide “Kids Eat Free” promotion, available every day from December 26, 2025, through January 31, 2026.

Now, “Kids Eat Free” isn’t entirely new territory for Dickey’s; it’s traditionally a Sunday-only staple. But this month-long, daily expansion marks a significant shift. For every $15 adult meal purchased, guests can snag a free kids meal, complete with one slow-smoked meat, a homestyle side, and the chain’s iconic Lil’ Yellow Cup.

The offer is available for dine-in, carry out, and online orders at dickeys.com, limited to one free kids meal per order. The question is, are families truly saving, or is this a clever way to lure parents back into the routine of casual dining after the holiday splurge?

“Dickey’s is about bringing families together over great barbecue,” said Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey’s Barbecue Pit.

She positioned the daily offer as “a simple way for us to say thank you and to continue offering genuine value for folks.” It’s hard to argue with value, especially when a busy January can often mean quick, convenient meals.

Roland Dickey, Jr., CEO of Dickey’s Capital Group, echoed this sentiment, noting the promotion “celebrates our history while welcoming the next generation to the table.”

The announcement arrives at a strategic time. January often sees a post-holiday dip in consumer spending and a renewed focus on budgeting. By making their “Legit. Texas. Barbecue.™” more accessible, Dickey’s taps into a universal truth: parents are always looking for ways to feed their families without breaking the bank, particularly when the kids are easing back into school schedules and life gets hectic. This expanded promotion aligns perfectly with that need, giving families a consistent option throughout the week.

Ultimately, this move solidifies Dickey’s commitment to its family-centric heritage, a legacy stretching back to its founding in 1941. While the business aspect of driving traffic and celebrating a significant anniversary is clear, the underlying benefit to families navigating the first few weeks back from holiday chaos is undeniable. After all, who doesn’t appreciate a little extra help when the grocery bill looms large?

Source: Dickey’s Barbecue Pit