Jeff Kudrick

Mr. Bar-B-Q® is a leading brand of innovative, premier barbecue accessories and outdoor lifestyle tools at an excellent value. Al Zemel or Mr. Z, as he was affectionately known, started Mr. Bar-B-Q in 1972 with five employees. Originally, the company sold charcoal briquettes and lighter fluid, as well as ice melting products such as rock salt and calcium chloride, to regional home centers, as well as local garden centers and hardware stores. Mr. Bar-B-Q grew in the 1980s during the spike in oil prices by selling kerosene heaters and wood burning stoves. Mr. Z’s son, Marc, joined Mr. Bar-B-Q in 1991, and helped start the specialty division to sell to independent furniture and home, hearth and garden centers across the U.S. He also helped launch an expansion to a new customer base, including Bed Bath & Beyond, TJ Maxx, The Home Depot, Lowes, etc. Next, he established a Hong Kong showroom/office in 1995, which led to increased international sales. “Until the day he died (in 2011), my father was passionate about growing the business and being part of the BBQ family he started,” Marc Zemel said. “All of us at Mr. Bar-B-Q continue to keep his memory alive and ensure that his legacy continues. We miss him and are inspired by him every day.” Mr. Bar-B-Q has more than 400 products within its core product assortment, including tools and tool sets, brushes, baskets, toppers, accessories and grill covers. Unlike other products, Mr. Bar-B-Q products can be used for charcoal, gas or electric grills. Over 120 products are patented. Most Mr. Bar-B-Q products range in price from $9.99-$19.99. Questions? Call us at 800.762.1142 or visit mrbarbqproducts.com.