Chicago Ad Agency SCC Leads Investment Group to Acquire Majority Interest in Uncle Dougie's Sauces and Marinade Brand

CHICAGO, March 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Owners of the Uncle Dougie's brand and Chicago-based independent ad agency Schafer Condon Carter (SCC), along with a group of investors, have agreed to join together to restage the Uncle Dougie's brand with the formation of Original Uncle Dougie's, LLC.  Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

SCC launched West Loop Beverage in 2005.  Three years later, their Hogwash Juice Drinks brand was posting impressive results and being looked at for acquisition by a number of entities.  In 2010, they sold the brand to a major Pepsi bottler, Wis-Pak, Inc., and since then, the brand has more than tripled in sales.

With Uncle Dougie's, SCC is taking on an existing brand that's been around for more than 20 years. "We feel that Uncle Dougie's is an absolute home-run line of products. They're incredibly high-quality, clean-label, 100% natural--and most importantly--incredibly delicious," said SCC CEO, Tim Condon. "We're not starting from scratch this time; instead, we're partnering with the guys who started the company and already have incredible products on the shelf. Uncle Dougie's is a brand ripe with key distributor relationships and untapped retail opportunities, an expanding online business, and a growing, passionate, loyalist following.  Our research shows that people either haven't heard of the brand, or think it's the greatest thing they've ever tasted.  That has all the makings of a great business case history."

Uncle Dougie's started in 1989 with a marinade recipe developed by Doug Tomek (AKA Uncle Dougie) for homemade spicy chicken wings.  Unlike Buffalo-style wings, which require deep-frying, wings made with Uncle Dougie's Wing Marinade can either be baked in the oven or grilled, so they're much lower in fat and perfect for entertaining or sports-watching at home. After Uncle Dougie appearances on then WLUP-radio with hosts Kevin Matthews, Steve Dahl and Garry Meier in the early 90's, the product gained a cult-like grassroots following that has stuck with the brand.

Following the introduction of Uncle Dougie's Wing Marinade, Uncle Dougie's introduced Barbecue Sauces, Bloody Mary Mix, Cayenne Pepper Sauces and Rubs. Uncle Dougie's Wild-Mild Barbecue Sauce won 1^st place in the Kansas City BBQ competition in 1994, and their Dangerously Delicious Barbecue Sauce won 2^nd place in the same competition. Uncle Dougie's Bloody Mary Mix was named "Outstanding Beverage" at the 1998 NASFT awards, and the brand also won for and Outstanding Gift Packaging.  Uncle Dougie's Bloody Mary Mix is featured on the menus of Cafe Ba Ba Reeba, Mon Ami Gabi and other Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises properties, and their sauces are used secretly by many of Chicago's highest-profile steak and rib houses.

Uncle Dougie's currently has retail distribution in Jewel, Whole Foods, Treasure Island, Caputo's, Sunset Foods, Woodman's and a number of independent grocers, meat markets and specialty retailers across the country. The brand is mentioned with reverence on dozens of websites and blogs and carried by a number of e-retailers, including Amazon.com.  Its internet sales grew at a double-digit pace again in 2011.

"We are very excited to be teaming up with SCC and this impressive group of investors," said Doug Tomek, President of Original Uncle Dougie's, LLC.  "We're very proud of the brand and business we've built over the last 20 years, but we believe that joining forces with this exceptional group of marketers and business people will open the doors to new growth and marketing success."

The investors group includes former Pabst Brewing CEO, Kevin Kotecki, and Chicago Alderman Brendan Reilly. "I am thrilled to be a part of the Uncle Dougie's team," said Mr. Kotecki.  "Once I started exploring the products, I knew this was a brand with huge upside.  With Uncle Dougie's, we offer a truly superior taste experience at a high integrity level.  There's no high-fructose corn syrup, no questionable ingredients, no chemical preservatives--and the taste reflects that integrity level--it is unbelievably delicious stuff. It is a very unique brand with a terrific consumer promise."

According to Mr. Reilly, the Alderman who represents Chicago's 42^nd Ward and an Uncle Dougie's fan, business success will also be measured in terms of the number of jobs created and its positive economic impact on the City of Chicago. "My wife Kristin and I became Uncle Dougie's lovers at first taste—it's a phenomenal product offering—we use it on everything.  Now, with its headquarters in Chicago, I'd like nothing more than to see this business flourish and become a vibrant part of the Chicago business community.  Given SCC's track record and Uncle Dougie's taste and quality, I think it has the potential to be a strong contributor to the City of Chicago."

ABOUT SCHAFER CONDON CARTER
Schafer Condon Carter is recognized as one of the top independent advertising agencies in the United States. SCC has built its success by challenging conventional approaches to marketing and delivering a tightly orchestrated, fully integrated brand vision for its clients across an infinite set of consumer touch points. A simple mission drives the agency's entrepreneurial spirit and aggressive, growth-oriented culture: "Think Again." SCC's client roster includes: Allen Edmonds, Armour-Eckrich, Beam Global Spirits, Brunswick Corp., Campbell Soup Co., ConAgra Foods, Farmland Foods, Land O'Lakes, National Pork Board, New Chapter Organics, Rotary International, and Solo Cup. The agency's wholly owned network includes SCC|Public Relations and SCC|Digital.

For more information visit sccadv.com

SOURCE Schafer Condon Carter