How Two Brothers Built America’s Largest Bone Broth Facility to Heal Our Broken Food System
Kettle & Fire team at ribbon cutting for grand opening
In 2015, brothers Nick and Justin Mares embarked on a journey to revolutionize the American diet by founding Kettle & Fire. Driven by a profound belief that the modern food system was failing Americans—contributing to unprecedented rates of chronic illness—they set out to create a company rooted in health, quality, and transparency.
Initially, their goal was modest yet ambitious: achieve $10,000 in monthly sales. Early on, every sale notification from Shopify for their $16 cartons of bone broth sparked excitement, with days topping $1,000 feeling monumental. Today, their daily sales regularly eclipse those early milestones by more than 40 times.
The path to their first batch was anything but smooth. Justin and Nick cold-called over 500 manufacturers, facing repeated rejection as they pitched an unfamiliar product backed by two inexperienced entrepreneurs. Determined, Nick took a bold step: he sent a cold email to entrepreneur Mark Cuban, seeking guidance. Remarkably, Cuban responded, connecting the brothers with the only manufacturer willing to take a chance on their vision.
Fifteen months ago, Justin and Nick began working towards a new goal: opening their own production facility. This ambitious project has now culminated in the largest bone broth plant in the United States. Owning this facility gives Kettle & Fire unprecedented control over product quality, allowing them to uphold even stricter standards for sourcing, nutrient density, and purity.
Justin underscores the urgency of their mission, highlighting that Americans today face alarming health crises primarily driven by food choices. He envisions a future where companies prioritize products that heal rather than harm, setting new benchmarks for the industry.
The launch of their production facility marks a significant milestone not only for Kettle & Fire but for the broader movement towards a healthier food system. As Justin proudly acknowledges, this achievement reflects the extraordinary efforts of their dedicated team and symbolizes a hopeful step forward in addressing America’s chronic disease epidemic.
Kettle & Fire is a story of innovation, resilience, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship aimed at transforming wellness through better nutrition.
