OpsLens Deck of 52 Most Wanted Post 9/11 Frontline Leaders
In 2018, as a spin-off and salute to the original 2003 deck of 52 Most Wanted playing cards, let’s honor post 9/11 frontline leaders here at home. Once a week, for 52 weeks this year, OpsLens will post a card highlighting one of the 52 Most Wanted Post 9/11 Frontline Leaders. You’ll learn the top facts about their business or organization, as well as why they made the list, which comes down to impact, scalability, health, and unique value proposition.
I encourage you to look for these weekly updates, share the card with your network, and support or buy the products and services they offer. See the 52 Most Wanted Post 9/11 Frontline Leaders launch story here.
King of Clubs| Mission BBQ
Sure, anyone could have (and some have tried) to establish a successful, national barbeque chain. Yet the conundrum of connecting local flavor with a nationwide hometown feel isn’t exactly easy. Unless, the brand is slathered with what barbeque is all about—the American Way. And founder Bill Kraus believed the American Way unequivocally included honoring those who serve. With a remarkable career that led him to the top ranks at Under Armour (have you heard that phrase, “Protect this House”?), Bill partnered with his friend Stephen Newton to combine their skills and passion to not only launch a national barbeque powerhouse, but one that honors those they both deeply admire.
Bill did not have to look very far for inspiration. A proud father of a U.S. Marine who enlisted in the corps after college, Bill also watched his two other children choose service paths. From members of our military and their families, to law enforcement and first responders, it became crystal clear the mission for his restaurant needed to shine a light on stories of service. You simply must walk into the restaurant to feel the brand: photos and unit patches, service academy jerseys and firefighter jackets cover the walls, not to mention the national anthem plays at noon every day—in every store. To say they are trailblazing a path for America’s new favorite restaurant chain is an understatement. In the flurry of seven years, they’ve expanded from their first location in Glen Burnie, Maryland, to more than a dozen states. And as of last week, they have raised nearly one million dollars for the USO through their American Heroes Cup Program.
Mission BBQ is a frontline leader that should be on your list of most wanted businesses to support in 2018.
Frontline Leader (Founders): Bill Kraus and Stephen Newton.
Name of Company/Organization: Mission BBQ, founded 2011.
Location: HQ is Maryland, with restaurants locations in 15 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Post 9/11 Service Connection: Military family, both of Bill’s sons have served in uniform since 9/11 (U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine/U.S. Army) and his daughter is a nurse.
Tours of Duty: Just look at their walls.
One sentence tagline &/or mission statement: The American Way.
Website: https://mission-bbq.com/
