KC Masterpiece
This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2007) |
Product type | Barbecue Sauce |
---|---|
Owner | Clorox |
Country | United States |
Markets | World |
Previous owners | 1977 - Rich Davis |
Registered as a trademark in | HV Food Products Company |
Website | http://www.kcmasterpiece.com/ |
KC Masterpiece is a barbecue sauce that is marketed by the HV Food Products Company, a subsidiary of the Clorox Company.[1][2]
History
KC Masterpiece Barbeque Sauce was created in 1977 by
Initially, Davis named his sauce "KC Soul Style Barbecue Sauce" and the original formula consisted of only five ingredients. He later renamed it "KC Masterpiece". He presented his sauce to several
Eventually, Davis met Jim Flynn, of Flynn Brokerage. Flynn sampled the sauces and immediately saw the sauce’s potential to introduce an innovative product to an underserved sector of the retail market. This decision, initiated by Davis's recipe and marketed by Flynn's marketing concept, lead to the sector we know now. Flynn's concept was a simple grassroots marketing strategy, targeting local supermarkets with food sample demonstrations. The barbeque sauce sold more than 3,000 cases (36,000 bottles) the first weekend, and the stores actually ran out of inventory. The two Muschup varieties were also demonstrated but did not fare as well. In the following months and years, KC Masterpiece sales grew exponentially.
In 1986, after nearly ten years of success in the Kansas City area, Davis received an offer to sell the KC Masterpiece brand to the Kingsford charcoal division of The HV Food Products Company (formally known as Hidden Valley Ranch Food Products, Inc.), which operates as a subsidiary of the Clorox Company, with an eye to marketing the sauce nationwide. In the agreement, Davis retained the right to use the sauce in restaurants that he was developing. Of the several restaurants that were subsequently opened, all eventually closed, the last one in 2009.[3]
References
- ^ "Legal". Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
- ^ Research, Business Week
- ^ Fox Channel 4: The history behind Kansas City-style Barbecue
Further reading
- "Last KC Masterpiece Restaurant Closes". RoadFood.com. July 7, 2009. Retrieved 27 October 2013.