‘Extreme and Unreasonable’ Demands Force Michigan BBQ Chain into Bankruptcy

Michigan isn't necessarily a mecca for Barbecue culture, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have its fair share of great places to pick up smoked and grilled meats. One of those area chains happens to be Dickey's Barbecue Pit, which has four locations across West Michigan.

At least, they do for NOW, as the company who owns the franchises for these Dickey's locations has now filed for bankruptcy, and has some choice words for the Dickey's brand.

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Earlier this month, Krage Fox, who is the co-owner of the company Smokin' Dutchman Holdings, said his company is now $2.1 million in debt, and a LARGE part of that is due to the franchising of the four Dickey's Locations they own across west Michigan.

He said the company's debt was caused by "extreme and unreasonable" demands by the franchisor Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc., however, no description of those demands wa given in any legal document.

Dickey's Senior VP, Jeff Gruber commented back, saying they would continue to provide support for Smokin' Dutchman, the same way they have supported them over the past six years they have worked together.

"For anyone to state we imposed 'extreme and unreasonable demands' is simply inaccurate."

At this time, the bankruptcy doesn't mean the restaurants will close, and all employees will be able to keep their jobs. There are four locations across west Michigan, including one in Kalamazoo that opened in 2018, one in Rockford and another in Jenison that both opened in 2020, and the most recent one in Holland, that opened just two years ago.

Fox has said he wants the bankruptcy court to "reject" the Dickey's franchises, which would alleviate any burden imposed on them from the Dickey's company.