DICKEY'S BARBECUE PIT

AMANDA BABB ZACHMEIER Owner

Amanda Babb Zachmeier knew that when she opened her business, she wanted it to be located in Mandan. She and her former husband used to have backyard barbecues with the neighbors that involved waking up at 3 a.m. to tend the smoker. They knew they wanted to open a Texas-style BBQ restaurant, and they found the franchise model was a good fit.

“People don’t understand mom and pop joints versus a franchise,” Babb Zachmeier said.

Babb Zachmeier was a physician assistant before she became an entrepreneur. She said some days she wishes she was located on South 3rd Street in Bismarck, but she likes how her location is central to the Bismarck-Mandan metropolitan area.

“There are a lot of people who don’t venture this direction because it’s Mandan,” Babb Zachmeier said.

She does have a Bismarck location ready, but that is on pause for the moment. She said she would rather have one strong location than divide energy between two. Babb Zachmeier also had a location in Minot, which she sold recently.

Babb Zachmeier said she enjoys the family aspect of her business. Her 11- and 12-year-old children will sometimes work with her. Her 8-month-old grandson will be sitting right next to the register while the family is working.

“It’s a family effort, because they are willing to help out mom,” Babb Zachmeier said.

“I don’t compliment myself very often,” Babb Zachmeier said. “I think I’m still working on that absolutely proud moment. It’s a business that didn’t fail during hard times or COVID. We’re still standing strong.”