Dickey's BBQ shooting for Jan. 27 opening in Idaho Falls

Dickey's Barbecue Pit is shooting for a Jan. 27 opening in Idaho Falls, at 2090 East 17th Street (formerly the location of Taco John's).

The restaurant is being developed by B.J. McDougal, and the local franchisees are Bob and Deeanne Wilkins. McDougal said he chose to go with the Dallas-based Dickey's because "Idaho is a meat-and-potatoes kind of state" and because he believes people will respond well to the fast-casual style of service the chain offers.

If they don't make the Jan. 27 deadline, he said the latest they will open is Jan. 31.

Another Dickey's is opening in Nampa in early February, and McDougal and the Wilkinses are planning to open one in Pocatello. McDougal also said they are looking to open in Rexburg and Twin Falls, and that anyone interested in becoming a franchisee should call him at 208-318-6687.

Dickey's was started in 1941 by Travis Dickey, Sr., whose mission statement (if such a thing existed then) was, "Serve the best tastin' barbecue imaginable, just the way people like it. And don't make 'em wait too long to get it." In the past 10 years, the chain has been expanding aggressively across the United States.