Dickey's Barbecue Pit Serves Those Who Serve Us Through Charitable Foundation, Barbecue, Boots & Badges

The foundation partners with Frito-Lay to assist first responders in need

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Jun 22, 2016, 04:45 ET

DALLAS, June 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Dickey's Barbecue Pit launched their charitable foundation, Barbecue, Boots & Badges in 2015 with the goal of serving first responders and their families in times of need. Led by Maurine Dickey, former Dallas County Commissioner and wife of Dickey's founder Roland Dickey, Sr., the foundation has served dozens of families this year and is building toward future programs.

Commissioner Maurine Dickey leads Barbecue, Boots & Badges to serve those who serve us

The mission of Dickey's foundation is unique, in that it supports and supplements other efforts which currently exist for first responders. Never in competition with other organizations, Barbecue, Boots & Badges works not only to provide comfort and healing, but to connect first responders in need with other resources. In the past year the foundation has not only raised funds for medical bills and funerals, but provided gravesite flowers, assisted in hosting conferences to boost awareness of various issues facing first responders and connected many affected people with important resources such as Post Traumatic Stress counseling.

Barbecue, Boots & Badges has officially launched nationwide through the 550 Dickey's Barbecue Pit locations. The foundation's goal is to have all locations host fundraisers and offer in-store discounts for uniformed officers by the end of 2016. Dickey's has also partnered with Frito-Lay to support the efforts by donating a portion of chip sales to the cause. "Frito-Lay is proud to partner with Dickey's Barbecue Pit restaurants, who share our values when it comes to supporting first responders," said Marissa Solis, vice president of marketing, Frito-Lay. "It is important to support and celebrate these brave individuals, and this partnership is one more way we at Frito-Lay can honor them for all they do". Barbecue, Boots & Badges may be a young organization, but it is building the infrastructure to make a significant impact for first responders and their families nationwide. As Dickey's celebrates its 75^th anniversary this year, the barbecue chain is proud to give back to the community that has embraced it and helped it grow to more than 550 locations nationwide.

Maurine Dickey began the foundation after eight years in public service as a Dallas County Commissioner. A long-time advocate for those in need, she founded and operated a halfway house for previously incarcerated women in 1981. Since then she has presided over several charitable boards, including Parkland Hospital. "I think what we're doing is very meaningful. We help first responders and their families where they need it most," Commissioner Dickey says. "There are not enough services for first responders, and we hope that Barbecue, Boots & Badges can offer a safety net by not only providing financial resources but informational resources as well. We connect many with counseling services, federal grants and other organizations with similar missions."

To find the Dickey's Barbecue Pit nearest you, click here. Find Dickey's on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

About Barbecue, Boots and Badges
Enthusiastically led by Maurine Dickey, Barbecue, Boots & Badges supports local law enforcement, firefighters and their families. The foundation is national, yet the support is intensely local — benefiting law enforcement and firefighters who put their lives on the line every day, serving the public. Barbecue, Boots and Badges also creates partnerships between law enforcement and communities that are crucial in orchestrating crime reduction programs and initiatives.

About Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc.
Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc., the nation's largest barbecue chain was founded in 1941 by Travis Dickey with the goal of authentic slow smoked barbecue. Today, all meats are still slow smoked on-site in each restaurant living up to the company tagline, "We Speak Barbecue." The Dallas-based family-run barbecue franchise offers a quality selection of signature meats, home style sides, tangy barbecue sauce and free kids' meals every Sunday. The fast-casual concept has expanded to over 550 locations in 43 states. Dickey's was recognized for the third year by Nation's Restaurant News as a "Top 10 Growth Chain" and by Technomic as the "Fastest-growing restaurant chain in the country." For more information, visit www.dickeys.com or for barbecue franchise opportunities call 866.340.6188.

About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $63 billion in net revenue in 2015, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker and Tropicana. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

At the heart of PepsiCo is Performance with Purpose – our goal to deliver top-tier financial performance while creating sustainable growth and shareholder value. In practice, Performance with Purpose means providing a wide range of foods and beverages from treats to healthy eats; finding innovative ways to minimize our impact on the environment and reduce our operating costs; providing a safe and inclusive workplace for our employees globally; and respecting, supporting and investing in the local communities where we operate. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com.

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SOURCE Dickey's Barbecue