BBQGuys.com enlisted former NFL quarterback Eli Manning to help showcase its newest showroom in West Palm Beach to kick off its latest expansion efforts. As a brand ambassador and investor, Manning shared his backyard barbequing experience and why teaming up with BBQGuys.com was an easy choice for the Louisiana native.
“They connected with our family being from Louisiana, and BBQGuys is about outdoor living and creating those great experiences outside. We thought the Mannings would be a great fit for that,” he said. “We loved the idea of what they were doing, so we all invested in it.”
Manning has taken on the role of brand ambassador and investor at Brand Velocity Group (BVG), the private equity firm that owns BBQGuys.com. Manning mentioned that ever since he had a complete outdoor barbecue set installed at his home, he has been barbecuing more often and has been improving his grilling skills. He was present for the unveiling of the 8,000-square-foot design center located at 500 Palm St. in the Flamingo Park Historic District. This new showroom showcases a wide variety of cutting-edge outdoor kitchens and equipment. The product offerings include high-quality grills, smokers, fire pits, outdoor furniture, and lifestyle merchandise from different brand partners. One of these partners is Teak + Table, a family-owned and operated luxury outdoor furniture business that provides a range of outdoor furniture, including dining and seating sets, accent tables, and poolside lounge chairs.
“This design center is very beautiful. BBQGuys redid my outdoor kitchen about three years ago, and I’m almost happy I didn’t come here first because that would’ve been dangerous,” Manning jokingly said. “It would’ve cost me a lot more seeing all the options and everything here. And I think that’s the idea of why this is great for BBQguys. Because it’s going to help the service pros, the designers and customers coming here make the right choice when they’re redoing their backyard.”
Before launching its online platform, BBQGuys opened its first brick-and-mortar store in 1998. With over 25 years of industry experience in the outdoor living space, the West Palm Beach backyard design center is BBQGuys’ third physical design center in the U.S., with existing locations in Alpharetta, Ga., and Baton Rouge, La. As the company looked for places to open its latest showroom, South Florida quickly became a desired destination.
“Florida is our No. 1 state, so we knew where our customers were,” says Russ Wheeler, CEO of BBQGuys.com (pictured with Manning). “Palm Beach is an amazing anchor for that very high-end luxury customer, which we cater to, but all the other areas around it are great markets for us.”
The new showroom aims to provide South Florida homeowners, designers, and contractors with the opportunity to personally explore outdoor living space options. Wheeler mentioned that the company’s design centers will attract not only local visitors but also snowbirds and residents from nearby areas such as Naples and Central Florida. BBQGuys recognizes that offering a physical presence is crucial for customers to assess if a product aligns with their preferences. Additionally, the center provides a complete experience with finished backyards and complimentary 3D design services.
“Sometimes customers want to see, touch and feel it, and because we have this experience, it’s really unique, and there’s nothing like it where you can see everything put in its right space,” Wheeler said. “The showroom is a fraction of what we have, but this helps visualize your backyard. There is no inventory [in the showroom]. You see it, order it and send it home.”
While Eli and Peyton Manning’s brotherly rivalry on the football field is over, with both retired from the NFL, as for who among the Manning family is the best griller, it’s not anyone who played in the NFL.
“My mother did all the grilling [growing up], so she takes control,” Eli said.
Photo Credit: WorldRedEye.com
