Enhancing Operations: The Tech Stack Overhaul at Dickey’s Barbecue

Explore how Dickey’s Barbecue revamped their tech stack to streamline operations and enhance efficiency. Learn about the behind-the-scenes upgrades and the impact on franchisees.

banana on grill

Photo by Victor Kwashie on Unsplash

Behind-the-Scenes Tech Transformation

Dickey’s Barbecue recently underwent a significant tech overhaul aimed at revolutionizing their tech stack. While customers may not notice the changes, the company’s operations have seen a substantial improvement. By simplifying their tech stack and incorporating microservices, the company has prioritized speed, flexibility, and future-readiness.

Strategic Two-Part Upgrade

This tech enhancement project marks the second phase of Dickey’s technology upgrades. The first phase focused on consumer-facing elements like the website and mobile applications. In contrast, the current project delved into the core tech stack, optimizing programming languages, ensuring uniformity across components, and refining data flow.

Moving from Vertical to Horizontal

Dickey’s tech stack had historically been built on proprietary components, leading to a vertical structure where each new addition stacked on the previous ones. The recent overhaul shifted the paradigm towards a more horizontal model. This reconfiguration has enhanced connectivity and streamlined operations akin to a well-coordinated train system.

Improved Franchisee Experience

The tech stack overhaul has significantly simplified processes for franchisees and store-level employees. Tasks such as real-time menu updates and scheduling adjustments have become quicker and more intuitive, reducing the strain on the system and enhancing overall operational efficiency.

Enhanced Customization and Mobility

The overhaul has empowered franchisees to customize offerings effortlessly, even for in-store specials or promotions not featured on third-party platforms. Additionally, the transformation ensures mobile-friendliness, enabling managers to handle scheduling, inventory management, pricing, and menu adjustments conveniently through an app.

Enhancing Efficiency for Better Customer Experience

Despite the main customer experience appearing unchanged, the improved operational efficiency at Dickey’s establishments translates to a superior overall experience for patrons. The behind-the-scenes enhancements have enabled stores to operate more smoothly, ultimately leading to a more seamless customer journey.

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