Dickey's Supports Veterans Through Heinz Campaign

DALLAS, Oct. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Across the country, Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants is making it easy for customers to thank those who serve our country. The national barbecue chain has joined with Heinz in the "Our Turn to Serve" campaign to offer Heinz Ketchup bottles that encourage customers to send a personalized "thank you" to veterans and active military service members and aims to raise awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project®.

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"Active-duty military personnel and veterans provide a tremendous service to our country and Dickey's is proud to be partnering with Heinz and the Wounded Warrior Project® for such a worthy cause," said Roland Dickey, Jr., president of Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc.  "We know our customers will appreciate the opportunity to send personal notes and show their support and gratitude."

The "Our Turn to Serve" campaign is featured on promotional Heinz Ketchup bottles at all Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants nationwide. A quick response (QR) code on the back of the bottles leads to a website where consumers can write their own "thank you" note to a veteran or active-duty service member. All of the personal notes will be printed and sent in care packages through the USO. Participants also have the option to email a "thank you" to a personal friend or family member who has served in the military by entering an email address. Heinz will donate $1 to the Wounded Warrior Project® for each "thank you" sent and 57 cents for each message shared on Facebook or Twitter through the campaign, up to $250,000.

"We were thrilled with the opportunity to take part in this program," said Joette Young, director of marketing and sales for Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc.  "The program makes it easy for Dickey's customers to say 'thank you' and give to the Wounded Warrior Project® on a national scale."

Dickey's has been a proud supporter of veterans' campaigns since it opened in 1941.  They were named by G.I. Magazine as a Military Friendly Franchise earlier this year for offering discounts and incentives that help veterans open their own restaurants.  The company also partners with Rebuilding Together Greater Dallas in building homes for local veterans.

Look for "Our Turn to Serve" Heinz Ketchup bottles at all 260 Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants nationwide.  For more information on the campaign, visit TurntoServe.com.

About Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants
Dickey's Barbecue was founded by Travis Dickey with the goal of authentic slow smoked barbecue. More than 70 years later, the Dallas-based family run barbecue franchise still offers a quality selection of signature meats, home style sides, tangy barbecue sauce and free kids meals every Sunday.  All meats are slow smoked on site in each restaurant.  The fast-casual family-friendly concept has expanded to over 250 locations in 43 states and holds the title of the world's largest barbecue franchise. This year Nation's Restaurant News named Dickey's "Top Five Growth Chains" and they were also named "Best Franchise Deal" by QSR Magazine.  For more information, visit www.dickeys.com or for franchise opportunities call (866) 340-6188.

ABOUT HEINZ
H.J. Heinz Company, offering "Good Food Every Day,"™ is one of the world's leading marketers and producers of healthy, convenient and affordable foods specializing in ketchup, sauces, meals, soups, snacks and infant nutrition. Heinz provides superior quality, taste and nutrition for all eating occasions whether in the home, restaurants, the office or "on-the-go." Heinz is a global family of leading branded products, including Heinz® Ketchup, sauces, soups, beans, pasta and infant foods (representing over one third of Heinz's total sales), Ore-Ida® potato products, Weight Watchers® Smart Ones® entrees, T.G.I. FRiDAY's® snacks, and Plasmon® infant nutrition. Heinz is famous for its iconic brands on six continents, showcased by Heinz® Ketchup, The World's Favorite Ketchup®.

ABOUT WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT®
The mission of the Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) is to honor and empower wounded warriors. WWP's purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and service to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, FL. To get involved and learn more, visit woundedwarriorproject.org.

­Media Contact:
Jami Zimmerman
972.248.9899
[email protected]

SOURCE Dickey's Barbecue