Red Bridges BBQ
Bringing an 80-Year Legacy to Retail
Positioning a legacy brand for retail growth.
For more than eight decades, Red Bridges Barbecue has been a Carolina institution. A roadside original. A Hall of Fame name. A sauce with serious credibility.
But heritage alone doesn’t win on a retail shelf.
When Red Bridges decided to expand beyond the restaurant and into grocery, they needed more than a label refresh. They needed a retail-ready identity that honored the past while commanding attention in a crowded category.
That’s where we came in.
The Challenge:
Translate an 80-year legacy into a modern retail package, without losing authenticity.
Compete visually against national brands on the shelf while protecting the emotional equity of a beloved regional icon.
Create something bold enough to stand out and refined enough to scale.
Our Approach
We focused on three things:
1. Lead with Legacy
This isn’t “inspired by.” It’s the real thing. We elevated the Hall of Fame status and award-winning history so buyers and consumers immediately understood the credibility.
2. Build Shelf Impact
Stronger hierarchy. Bolder color. Cleaner callouts.
The design needed to stop shoppers mid-aisle and signal confidence, not nostalgia alone.
3. Signal Retail Readiness
We ensured the packaging felt established, scalable, and nationally viable, not like a restaurant bottling on the side.
The Outcome
A label system that honors the brand’s roots while positioning Red Bridges for a serious retail rollout.
Big energy up top.
Credibility anchored below.
A story that builds excitement before the cap is even twisted.
Red Bridges has been blazing trails for 80 years.
Now it’s built to win on shelf.
