Army Veteran Michael Cheong-Leen Takes Over Tacoma Dickey's With Major Upgrades

TACOMA, Wash., June 11, 2026 — Dickey's Barbecue Pit at 5104 6th Avenue in Tacoma has a new franchisee, and he is moving fast. Michael Cheong-Leen, a US Army veteran and longtime business transformation specialist, took ownership of the location in March 2026 and has already introduced local craft beers on tap, extensive kitchen upgrades and a new extended weekend schedule that keeps the smoker running until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. The expanded hours take effect on June 19.

Cheong-Leen's approach signals a deliberate effort to position the 6th Avenue restaurant as more than a quick-service barbecue stop building it into a community gathering point for Tacoma's south side, with a beverage programme that reflects the Pacific Northwest's craft culture and a timetable that serves the after-dinner crowd.

Local Craft Beer Joins the Hickory-Smoked Menu

Three new draft beverages now appear on the tap list at the Tacoma location, each sourced from Pacific Northwest producers. Narrows Brewing's Mexican Lager, 7 Seas Brewing's Rude Parrot IPA and Portland Cider Company's Huckleberry Lemonade Cider are all available on tap, giving guests a range of flavour profiles suited to pairing with slow-smoked Texas-style proteins.

The choice to lead with regional craft producers is a deliberate one. The Narrows Brewing and 7 Seas brands are both Tacoma-area institutions, and their presence on the Dickey's tap wall signals Cheong-Leen's intent to root the restaurant more firmly in its local identity rather than simply operate under the national chain's standard configuration.

"When the opportunity came to take over this Dickey's location, I saw it as a chance to build something special for the Tacoma community," said Cheong-Leen. "Dickey's has always been known for upholding Southern barbecue traditions and serving quality, slow-smoked proteins, and my goal is to pair that with a welcoming, modern and comfortable space where people can gather, connect and enjoy a great meal."

Kitchen Upgrades and Restroom Improvements Improve the Guest Experience

Behind the service counter, Cheong-Leen has completed extensive kitchen upgrades designed to improve speed of service and overall operational performance improvements that directly affect how quickly guests receive their brisket, pulled pork, ribs and sausage during peak periods. The changes reflect his background in business transformation and his understanding that operational consistency is as important as product quality in building guest loyalty.

Visible improvements in the dining room include enhanced furniture and updated fixtures in the restrooms, giving the physical space a refresh that matches the operational changes taking place in the kitchen. The Tacoma location has been part of the local dining scene since 2013, when Dickey's first brought its hickory-smoked Texas barbecue format to the area.

For context on the slow-smoked barbecue traditions and hickory-wood cooking techniques that define Dickey's menu, HCP Good Food's American recipes collection offers useful background on the Southern barbecue heritage the restaurant draws from.

Community Roots Run Deep Including Veterans and Local Nonprofits

As a US Army veteran himself, Cheong-Leen has established a direct partnership with the Pierce County Veterans Advisory Board to promote veteran employment through the restaurant, an initiative that gives the location a community purpose beyond its menu. The team is also participating in the Steilacoom Annual Salmon Bake and working with nonprofits that serve unhoused individuals across the region.

Fundraising opportunities and sponsorships for local schools and sports teams are also in development, extending the restaurant's engagement across the community it serves. The combination of operational improvements, local beverage partnerships and community outreach reflects a franchise operation that is building its identity from the neighbourhood up rather than simply replicating a national template.

Beginning June 19, Dickey's Barbecue Pit Tacoma operates Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight. The restaurant is located at 5104 6th Avenue, Suite 102, Tacoma, Washington. Full details are available at Dickeys.com.