Wild Bill's Craft Beverage Company

After more than two decades as a fixture on the American event circuit,&nbsp;<a href="https://drinkwildbills.com/pages/franchise-opportunity?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=wild-bills-craft-beverage-2025-wrap-2026-franchise-growth-2731149" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Wild Bill’s Craft Beverage Co.</a> is more than just a beloved soda brand. In 2025, the veteran-founded company also strengthened its franchise model by shifting more control to franchisees, laying a strong foundation for a franchise-focused push in 2026.&nbsp;“This was a big transition year for us” said Chief Growth Officer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mruddo/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=wild-bills-craft-beverage-2025-wrap-2026-franchise-growth-2731149" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Michael Russo</a>.&nbsp; “This was when we shifted our focus to franchising in a meaningful way.”Having built a strong brand at events, fairs, festivals and more, the shift marks a deliberate evolution for the heritage soda brand. While events remain a core element of its brand,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/wild-bills/info">Wild Bill’s</a> spent 2025 restructuring how the event-based activations can drive further franchise growth.“Events have been our core since 2002, for 23 years, and they always will be. And as a system, we’ll have done about 500 events this year,” Russo said. “But the brand has evolved beyond events. The big focus next year is selling more franchises while staying authentic to who we are: veteran-owned and operated, doing this for veterans and turning them into business owners.”<h2>Building a Veteran-First Franchise Engine</h2>Wild Bill’s has famously focused on a veteran-first approach to its business, a model that remains at the heart of the current franchising efforts. This year, the company converted veteran employees into franchise owners and added additional new operators through its military network, including an Air Force veteran in Las Vegas and a pair of Army veterans in Phoenix.That momentum will be even more visible moving forward. One franchise is slated to open in Utah under a West Point graduate and another will be launched by a Marine Corps veteran in the San Diego area in early 2026.The company is also expanding franchisee support, a key selling point for many veterans transitioning into franchise ownership. In an effort to better aid growth while supporting franchise owners, Wild Bill’s has invested heavily in operational infrastructure, including promoting Army veteran&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisnorvold/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=wild-bills-craft-beverage-2025-wrap-2026-franchise-growth-2731149" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chris Norvold</a> to vice president of operations.“One of the biggest wins this year was converting veteran employees into franchisees. We’ve also built a pipeline,” said CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-quilty-4b973b4/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=wild-bills-craft-beverage-2025-wrap-2026-franchise-growth-2731149" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Michael Quilty</a>.&nbsp;“Veteran entrepreneurship is part of our foundation. But we also include first responders and people who share our values. Not all franchisees are veterans. Cultural fit and shared values matter most.”<h2>Expansion Efforts</h2>This year, Wild Bill’s returned to the New York Comic Con and made its company debut at The Oceana Air Show. But 2025 saw retail growth as well, with the brand adding new retail locations.“We added about 15 to 20 new retail trading partners, including direct retailers and distributors. 1,500 new locations,” Russo said. “We have canned soda available nationally&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/79706560-FFE0-4A84-B9FF-50A385F28213/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=wild-bills-craft-beverage-2025-wrap-2026-franchise-growth-2731149" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">online through Amazon</a> and we’re in about 4,000 retail stores across the country.“Product innovation also played a key role in that evolution, with Wild Bill’s introducing a zero-sugar line featuring root beer, key lime, pineapple and blueberry flavors. The lineup is intended to address changing consumer trends without sacrificing authenticity.<h2>Investing in Infrastructure</h2>Behind the scenes, Wild Bill’s invested significantly in marketing, training and infrastructure, consolidating both its headquarters and warehouse at a larger facility in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The marketing efforts resulted in a substantial growth of presence on social media.“We invested heavily in marketing this year,” Russo said. “Our Instagram following grew from under 20,000 to over 35,000.”<h2>A Disciplined Roadmap in 2026</h2>Wild Bill’s is eyeing an exciting 2026, one focused on disciplined franchise expansion by carefully vetting potential franchise owners to ensure proper alignment. With plans to add another 10 franchise locations, Wild Bill’s will support potential franchise owners through the rollout of new equipment, new product offerings, updated marketing materials, and enhanced backend support, including IT and accounting services, prioritizing markets like San Jose, Portland, Denver, Louisville, West Virginia and the Carolinas.“Starting a business is hard,” Quilty said. “We’re building infrastructure to provide strong support, especially on the financial side. We’re focused on finding the right people in the right markets at the right time, not just signing a lot of franchisees.”That growth philosophy reflects Wild Bill’s broader mission to create opportunity through service, camaraderie and shared values, especially within the veteran community. As the brand moves with momentum into 2026, Wild Bill’s stands at the intersection of tradition and transformation as a heritage-driven Americana brand building a modern franchise system rooted in purpose, discipline, nostalgia and long-term vision.“Our four core values are commitment, integrity, growth and service,” Russo said. “We’re committed to our franchisees, focused on their growth as business owners and individuals and dedicated to serving our communities.”To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/wild-bills">https://1851franchise.com/wild-bills</a>.About Wild Bill's Craft Beverage Co.Wild Bill's has been crafting premium, non-alcoholic craft sodas for over 20 years, serving customers at events nationwide. With a focus on creating nostalgia-evoking flavors, Wild Bill's sodas are available online, at local retailers, and at hundreds of events annually.As a veteran-owned and operated business, Wild Bill's is dedicated to supporting veterans through meaningful employment opportunities and partnerships with veteran-focused non-profits.

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Wild Bill’s Craft Beverage Co. Wraps Transformational 2025, Eyes Franchise Growth in 2026

1851 Franchise

As the handcrafted soda brand expands its retail footprint and nationwide presence, it enters 2026 with stronger distribution, new partnerships and a solid foundation for further growth.

Wild Bill’s Caps a Transformational 2025 With Market Expansion, Product Innovation and Franchise Momentum

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How Wild Bill’s Craft Beverage Co. Built a 23-Year Brand That Empowers Veterans Through Franchising

A Day in the Life of Wild Bill’s Franchisee Courtney Brown

Fueled by Freedom: How This Veteran Franchisee Is Expanding Wild Bill’s Across New England

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After more than two decades as a fixture on the American event circuit,&nbsp;<a href="https://drinkwildbills.com/pages/franchise-opportunity">Wild Bill’s Craft Beverage Co.</a> is more than just a beloved soda brand. In 2025, the veteran-founded company also strengthened its franchise model by shifting more control to franchisees, laying a strong foundation for a franchise-focused push in 2026.&nbsp;“This was a big transition year for us” said Chief Growth Officer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mruddo/">Michael Russo</a>.&nbsp; “This was when we shifted our focus to franchising in a meaningful way.”Having built a strong brand at events, fairs, festivals and more, the shift marks a deliberate evolution for the heritage soda brand. While events remain a core element of its brand,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/wild-bills/info">Wild Bill’s</a> spent 2025 restructuring how the event-based activations can drive further franchise growth.“Events have been our core since 2002, for 23 years, and they always will be. And as a system, we’ll have done about 500 events this year,” Russo said. “But the brand has evolved beyond events. The big focus next year is selling more franchises while staying authentic to who we are: veteran-owned and operated, doing this for veterans and turning them into business owners.”<h2>Building a Veteran-First Franchise Engine</h2>Wild Bill’s has famously focused on a veteran-first approach to its business, a model that remains at the heart of the current franchising efforts. This year, the company converted veteran employees into franchise owners and added additional new operators through its military network, including an Air Force veteran in Las Vegas and a pair of Army veterans in Phoenix.That momentum will be even more visible moving forward. One franchise is slated to open in Utah under a West Point graduate and another will be launched by a Marine Corps veteran in the San Diego area in early 2026.The company is also expanding franchisee support, a key selling point for many veterans transitioning into franchise ownership. In an effort to better aid growth while supporting franchise owners, Wild Bill’s has invested heavily in operational infrastructure, including promoting Army veteran&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisnorvold/">Chris Norvold</a> to vice president of operations.“One of the biggest wins this year was converting veteran employees into franchisees. We’ve also built a pipeline,” said CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-quilty-4b973b4/">Michael Quilty</a>.&nbsp;“Veteran entrepreneurship is part of our foundation. But we also include first responders and people who share our values. Not all franchisees are veterans. Cultural fit and shared values matter most.”<h2>Expansion Efforts</h2>This year, Wild Bill’s returned to the New York Comic Con and made its company debut at The Oceana Air Show. But 2025 saw retail growth as well, with the brand adding new retail locations.“We added about 15 to 20 new retail trading partners, including direct retailers and distributors. 1,500 new locations,” Russo said. “We have canned soda available nationally&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/79706560-FFE0-4A84-B9FF-50A385F28213/">online through Amazon</a> and we’re in about 4,000 retail stores across the country.“Product innovation also played a key role in that evolution, with Wild Bill’s introducing a zero-sugar line featuring root beer, key lime, pineapple and blueberry flavors. The lineup is intended to address changing consumer trends without sacrificing authenticity.<h2>Investing in Infrastructure</h2>Behind the scenes, Wild Bill’s invested significantly in marketing, training and infrastructure, consolidating both its headquarters and warehouse at a larger facility in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The marketing efforts resulted in a substantial growth of presence on social media.“We invested heavily in marketing this year,” Russo said. “Our Instagram following grew from under 20,000 to over 35,000.”<h2>A Disciplined Roadmap in 2026</h2>Wild Bill’s is eyeing an exciting 2026, one focused on disciplined franchise expansion by carefully vetting potential franchise owners to ensure proper alignment. With plans to add another 10 franchise locations, Wild Bill’s will support potential franchise owners through the rollout of new equipment, new product offerings, updated marketing materials, and enhanced backend support, including IT and accounting services, prioritizing markets like San Jose, Portland, Denver, Louisville, West Virginia and the Carolinas.“Starting a business is hard,” Quilty said. “We’re building infrastructure to provide strong support, especially on the financial side. We’re focused on finding the right people in the right markets at the right time, not just signing a lot of franchisees.”That growth philosophy reflects Wild Bill’s broader mission to create opportunity through service, camaraderie and shared values, especially within the veteran community. As the brand moves with momentum into 2026, Wild Bill’s stands at the intersection of tradition and transformation as a heritage-driven Americana brand building a modern franchise system rooted in purpose, discipline, nostalgia and long-term vision.“Our four core values are commitment, integrity, growth and service,” Russo said. “We’re committed to our franchisees, focused on their growth as business owners and individuals and dedicated to serving our communities.”To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/wild-bills">https://1851franchise.com/wild-bills</a>.About Wild Bill's Craft Beverage Co.Wild Bill's has been crafting premium, non-alcoholic craft sodas for over 20 years, serving customers at events nationwide. With a focus on creating nostalgia-evoking flavors, Wild Bill's sodas are available online, at local retailers, and at hundreds of events annually.As a veteran-owned and operated business, Wild Bill's is dedicated to supporting veterans through meaningful employment opportunities and partnerships with veteran-focused non-profits.

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Wild Bill's Craft Beverage Co. Franchise Opportunity - 1851 Franchise

Omnichannel Buzz, Collectible Mugs and a 23-Year Event Footprint Position Wild Bill’s Craft Beverage Co. for Disciplined Franchise Growth

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Wild Bill's Franchise - Consumer Positioning - 1851 Franchise

Wild Bill’s Craft Beverage Co.: Why Fans Line Up for the Mug

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For Courtney Brown, a&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/wild-bills/wild-bills-craft-beverage-co-veteran-franchise-opportunity-2730574#featured">U.S. Marine Corps veteran</a>, discipline sets the pace. He is a franchisee of&nbsp;<a href="https://drinkwildbills.com/pages/franchise-opportunity">Wild Bill’s Craft Beverage Co.</a>, a traveling craft-soda brand known for&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/wild-bills/wild-bills-craft-beverage-franchise-opportunity-consumer-2730236#featured">stainless-steel mugs</a>, refill stations and a regular presence at fairs, festivals and fan conventions. Brown joined the company on Jan. 4, 2018, on the corporate side, with a brief pause during COVID. In January 2025, he made the jump to ownership and became a&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/wild-bills/info">Wild Bill’s</a> franchisee in Tampa, Florida. The job didn’t change his rhythm so much as his stakes: the load-ins, forecasting and crew training he learned at corporate now fuel a business with his name on it.<h2>Resetting the Week</h2>The workweek starts with a reset, not a rest. “Mondays and Tuesdays, we’re unloading from the previous weekend. We reload on Tuesday or Wednesday for the upcoming weekend,” Brown said. “We’re doing safety checks, planning lodging and making sure we have all the accurate equipment needed, because some events require generators and portable water tanks. It’s all our checks and prechecks.”&nbsp;By the time the trucks are staged, the back office is buttoned up, too; payroll closes on Monday, reports are filed and an accountant touchpoint keeps weekly and quarterly numbers on track.<h2>Territory and Event Mix</h2>Brown’s territory is broad and his calendar busy. “I’ve been operating the Southeast since 2018 — North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Florida,” he said. “I’m doing all sorts of events — fairs, festivals, art shows. We do NASCAR, IndyCar — anything that you can pretty much think of that’s an event, we’re there.”Some runs demand hard choices. Renaissance fairs can deliver, but the multiday format locks up gear. “Once you commit, you’re committed and that stand is out of operation,” he said.<h2>Load-Ins, Not Luck</h2>Load-ins are as much choreography as muscle. “Every event is different. The bigger the event, the more complicated the load-in,” Brown said. “Convention centers are the most challenging because you’re loading inside a venue. You have to try to get in and get out before 300 or 400 vendors come in behind you.” His crew moves a 25-foot trailer fast on those days; outdoors, the work eases — especially on pavement. “For the most part, it’s routine once you master it.”<h2>Forecast First, Then Stock</h2>Forecasting is where Brown’s experience earns its keep. “In a convention center, our projections are a lot higher,” he said. “I go off our historical data. If we don’t have historical data and this is a first-time event, I pull as much information as I can — connecting with the promoter on projected ticket sales and expected attendance, then looking at show hours.”That groundwork turns into concrete orders and a weather-adjusted plan. “Once I get that data, I pack out sufficient inventory,” he said. “If it’s hot outside, then I know people are going to drink more — so I’m going to need more ice, more syrups. If it’s cooler, I can scale back.”Merch assortment is tailored to the venue and pace. “Indoor events, I typically take more options — six to seven mug options at higher price points ranging,” Brown said. “Outdoors is more traditional — two to three basic options at a lower price.”<h2>Show-Day Ops</h2>Show day turns plans into flow. At a crush like MegaCon Orlando, Brown splits roles to keep lines moving. “I’m running four to five people on a stand. I’m running two stands, so I’m coming with a team of 10,” he said. “I have two cashiers, one person managing inventory in the back of house — restocking the mugs, making sure the CO₂ is good, keeping both capers situated with ice. I have one person out front issuing ice to people who already have mugs and one person outside managing the line flow, explaining the purchase process and the product.”Smaller outdoor shows may run with one operator, especially with newer, lighter stands that tow behind a van or SUV.<h2>Troubleshooting on the Fly</h2>Redundancy keeps revenue alive when hardware fails.“If it’s made, it will break down,” Brown said. “Most of the time, it’s our flow jets. We have seven taps; one will go out and we can turn that tap off and still offer six other flavors. We’ve had CO₂ gauges break; at that point, the system’s completely down. We bring spare parts. You really need to be able to change out a part and get it back up and running within 10 to 15 minutes, tops.”&nbsp;To keep uptime high when he isn’t on site, Brown arms his crew with an on-demand playbook. “We make training videos and put them in digital files so they can view those files when they’re out there,” he said. “Start with basic troubleshooting and then call me if you have higher questions.”<h2>Tear-Down and Turnaround</h2>The exit is as disciplined as the setup. “Most promoters give you a certain time you’re allowed to tear down,” Brown said. “If it’s a two-person team, one person gets the truck and trailer and the other starts breaking down everything they can — cleaning, putting everything back neatly.”With a 25-foot trailer, “teardown takes about 45 minutes to an hour on a good day.” Safety closes the night. “I try not to have anybody drive directly home after the show,” he said, “unless we’re local.”<h2>Fueling the Pipeline and the Payoff</h2>Filling the pipeline is a team effort with the franchisor. “The most beneficial thing is the prospecting because if you don’t have events, you can’t make money,” Brown said. “Corporate provides resources—marketing, event forecasting—whatever areas you need support.”As for the model’s fit, Brown sees room to tailor it. “You decide your own success,” he said. “You can design it to be a full-time job or additional income… or you can go all in and fully book your calendar with events.”&nbsp;However, the biggest payoff isn’t just weekend revenue — it’s the transferable skill set that makes the next venture easier.&nbsp;“Once you learn cash-flow management, how to run P&amp;Ls and manage staff, you have the fundamentals to do other businesses later,” Brown said. “You can scale it as big as you want or keep it small and simple.”Brown’s year is a loop of preparation, execution and review, but it’s never on autopilot. He treats every show as a fresh plan to build, prove and refine, balancing tight logistics with a service mindset that keeps lines moving and guests returning. With strong forecasting, trained crews and a steady event pipeline, he’s built a model that scales when he wants it to and eases off when he doesn’t — discipline first, flexibility by design.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/wild-bills">https://1851franchise.com/wild-bills</a>.

Wild Bill's Franchise - Courtney Brown - A Day in the Life - 1851 Franchise

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When&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurt-bauerschmidt-704a207/">Kurt Bauerschmidt</a> discovered&nbsp;<a href="https://drinkwildbills.com/pages/franchise-opportunity">Wild Bill’s Craft Beverage Co.</a>, a traveling craft soda brand known for its stainless-steel mugs, refill stations and presence at fairs and festivals, he immediately saw a strong business opportunity.&nbsp;"I was exposed to the concept at an event I was at, did some research and discovered&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/wild-bills/info">Wild Bill’s</a>," he said. "I thought the concept was great and then did the financials and saw it was a great business financially. That was 11 years ago."Since then, Bauerschmidt has become a leading force behind Wild Bill's growing presence in the Northeast. Running the New England region for more than a decade, he has helped thousands of people experience Wild Bill’s classic handcrafted sodas and distinctive event-based model.&nbsp;<h2>From Service to Soda&nbsp;</h2>Drawing on his time in the Navy reserves, along with his business background and leadership experience, Bauerschmidt has shaped a disciplined approach to running his operation. "I saw that my sales experience and management would allow me to function well in this business space," he said.That mix of discipline and entrepreneurship has helped him expand Wild Bill’s footprint across the region. Over the past 11 years, Bauerschmidt has steadily built event partnerships and brand visibility, representing Wild Bill’s at fairs, festivals and community gatherings that capture the adventurous, all-American feel the brand is known for.“I’ve expanded the Wild Bill’s brand quite a bit in eleven years running New England,” Bauerschmidt said. “I see the next expansion bringing private events and opening a different silo of revenue.”He’s passionate about taking the brand beyond public events by creating opportunities for customers to bring Wild Bill’s to their own celebrations. "By exposing more people at events to our great products, they can expose their friends and family to Wild Bills at a private event such as a party," he said.<h2>Making an Impact Beyond Business</h2>One of Bauerschmidt's proudest achievements has been sharing Wild Bill’s with the campers at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.doublehranch.org/">Double H Ranch</a>, a camp for children with serious illnesses. “During the summer we would go up about six times and make ice cream floats for about 100 campers as a donation on my part," he said. "My employees have helped over the years as well."&nbsp;This commitment to giving back reflects Wild Bill’s mission to connect with people and spread joy, values that align closely with Bauerschmidt’s own purpose and leadership.<h2>Building a Legacy</h2>For other veterans thinking about franchising, Bauerschmidt says not to wait for the perfect moment.&nbsp; "Make the jump sooner then later as it will change your life forever and give you the freedom to be in control of your success," he said.&nbsp;Looking ahead, Bauerschmidt is excited about where Wild Bill’s is heading. “What excites me most is creating a legacy for my family,” he said.From serving his country to serving up handcrafted soda across New England, Bauerschmidt has built a life and business powered by purpose and a taste of American tradition.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/wild-bills.">https://1851franchise.com/wild-bills.</a>&nbsp;

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Wild Bill’s Caps a Transformational 2025 With Market Expansion, Product Innovation and Franchise Momentum

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