December 2, 2023 • 39 mins
Alfredo (Rick) Franco is the Co-Founder of Four Branches Spirits Company. Rick is a U.S. Marine (Ret.) with 20-plus years of leadership, organizational management, and entrepreneurial experience. Rick’s career has been extremely diverse, from being a graduate of the prestigious Virginia Military Institute and later a Marine Infantry Officer, to one of the first Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection contractors with Booz Allen, to a covert protective agent for the U.S. intelligence community with more than 30 deployments to hostile areas.
Rick’s leadership experience as a Marine Infantry Officer enabled him to quickly become a lead contractor for one of the government’s most extensive covert protective contracts. During his tenure as a contractor, his leadership ability, drive and critical thinking resulted in his being awarded the Agency Seal medal for hostile actions encountered.
After stepping away from contracting, Rick went on to become the Chief Operating Officer for Heroes and Horses, a non-profit for combat veterans with PTSD based in Montana. Aside from being a decorated Marine and government contractor, Rick is also a co-founder and partner of a successful hunting decoy manufacturing company. Currently, Rick is the Director of Safety and Security for the Troubadour Club, a Discovery Land Company development in Tennessee.
Rick’s leadership experience as a Marine Infantry Officer enabled him to quickly become a lead contractor for one of the government’s most extensive covert protective contracts. During his tenure as a contractor, his leadership ability, drive and critical thinking resulted in his being awarded the Agency Seal medal for hostile actions encountered.
After stepping away from contracting, Rick went on to become the Chief Operating Officer for Heroes and Horses, a non-profit for combat veterans with PTSD based in Montana. Aside from being a decorated Marine and government contractor, Rick is also a co-founder and partner of a successful hunting decoy manufacturing company. Currently, Rick is the Director of Safety and Security for the Troubadour Club, a Discovery Land Company development in Tennessee.
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(00:00):
The Houston Safari Club Foundation is afive OHO one C three nonprofit organization that
supports the future of hunting and conservation. Wildlife and habitat conservation, youth education
and outdoor experiences, scholarships, andanti poaching efforts are just a few of
the programs supported by this organization.Monthly events, an annual convention, award
winning publications, networking opportunities, andvaluable resources for hunting knowledge are just a
(00:21):
few of the benefits of being amember of Houston Safari Club Foundation. If
you're searching for a group of peoplededicated to protecting the future of hunting,
look no further. Join Houston SafariClub Foundation today at we Huntwegive dot org
or call seven one three six twothree eight eight four four. Tradition,
conservation, family, the outdoors.It matters to you, It matters to
(00:48):
us. This is Hunting Matters presentedby Houston Safari Club Foundation. Here's Joe
Bitar welcome back to Honey Matters onkPr nine fifty. Is it me or
does the interest in a little bitslow today? Are you a little lethargic
or what? Well, maybe it'sbeen being around a three and a half
year long for a week. Yeah. Our granddaughters in from San Diego visiting.
(01:12):
So it's uh, it's been anadjustment. Yeah, it's been great,
but man, it's different. It'sdifferent. Yeah, my vocal I
was worried coming in today. Ithought my big vocabulary may has suffered.
You want pudding, Welcome everybody.Papa loves you. I'm hearing a lot
of nose too this week. Ohyeah, yeah, time to get a
(01:34):
bit. No, I can't watchthat cartoon. No it is, it
is what is shocked? No kidsfor how many years? Thirty years,
thirty years at that age. Yeah, and then all of a sudden,
papa. Yeah, and she canhave anything she wants. Of course,
Well she said, Papa, Ilove you. I mean whatever you want.
She's an only grandchild, only grandchildso far. Yeah, and it's
a it's a girl and the onlygirl because we had three boys. Yeah,
(01:57):
Charlotte didn't have any siblings. AndI might had an older sister,
but she was much older. Andyeah, it's been it's been fine.
And we fall into bed every nightwhen we're done. Yeah, she's the
she rules the roost, right,she does rule the roost. Yeah.
We went to the toy store yesterdayand she got everything she pointed out.
But she was good. I meanshe didn't point I need that, I
need that. She wouldn't like that. She had a few things she wanted
(02:20):
and she got her. Not badat all, not bad at all.
So she's gonna make some dude veryhappy in eighteen years. I can't imagine.
I can't imagine. She is ashe's just dropped it beautiful. Yeah,
not to say it because she's mygranddaughter. I mean she's just a
good looking kid, good jeans.Her mother's Latin American, her dad's good.
My son's a good looking kid,you know, Navy kids. So
I don't know where you got thatfrom his mother, because, as you
(02:43):
say, I've got a face fora radio and podcast. So how was
your Thanksgiving? It went well.We over eight of course, and no
arguments. It's a good thing abouthaving family that you like. Yeah,
you go along with everyone. Yeah, and it's nice. There's never drama,
right, you know, we're thattype of family that we're cool with
silence. Sure, So an hourafter we ate, we're just watching the
football game. Yep, nod nothing. Yeah, it's great because you just
(03:07):
to be you know, my parentswere like that same way. You'd have
to entertain them, you feed them, and they're doing there with things.
Yeah, it was great, verylaid back, all right. What's happening
with Houston Spire Club Foundation. Decemberseventh is the annual Christmas Party out at
the Barn in Cyprus, Texas.And then of course we are Living,
Eating, and Breathing Convention January thenineteenth, of the twenty first, the
(03:28):
Houston Spire Club Foundation Annual Convention andWorldwide Hunting Expo is going to be at
the Woodlands Waterway, Mariat Hotel andConvention Center. And if you're listening and
you've been before, we were atthe George R. Brown in downtown Houston
for the past five years. Weare now moving out to the Woodlands.
You can check out everything about conventionat we hunt we give dot Oregon click
on the convention drop down button.This year, we're doing a full slate
(03:50):
of free seminars for Saturday and Sunday. I think our auction lineup has been
the best I've seen it in thepast ten years. We've got some unbelievable
stuff, including a rock came outand go tag from the State of Oregon.
We're doing a laborator retriever puppy.I mean, the list is just
endless that I think our live auctionthis year is probably the best it's been
in a long time. And we'restill going to be able to do it
(04:12):
online. Yes, yep, goodOnline Hunting Auctions dot Com. I'm glad
you mentioned that if you can't makeit to Houston, we'd love for you
to come. Come to the banquets. It's a blast. We have live
entertainment, hosted bar, great food. But if you cannot for some reason
make convention this year, you cango to Online Hunting Auctions dot com and
look up Houston spri Club Foundation LiveAuctions. That's going to be posted probably
(04:33):
here in the next week or so, uh second into first week. Second
week of December is when that goeslive, and then you can participate live
during the actual live auction. Sobut go to we hunt we give dot
org check out all the cool stuffthat's happening with the Houston Spri Club Foundation
and sign up and become a membertoday. Alrighty uh. A friend of
(04:53):
mine, buddy of mine, Icall him a friend. We've got to
know each other over the years.Mister Rick franco Is with us today.
He's the co f under a FourBranches spirits company, and we're gonna learn
about Rick's past and also what he'slooking at doing for the future. So
Rick, thanks so much for joiningus. Hey, Joe, it's it's
great to be on guys. Ireally appreciate it. Yeah, you're a
(05:14):
friend. It's fantastic that we've gotto know each other and we're we're looking
forward to sitting down this morning chatting. Rick. Let me ask you this,
what part of Yellowstone did you playin? What was your role in
that TV show? You look youlook like a dude that came right off
that set to join us this morning. I appreciate it. I don't know
(05:34):
what part of Yellows and I wouldhave been on, but I might have
been one of the one of theranch hands that was probably really close to
Rip. Yeah, yeah, becauseyou certainly looked that part. I got
lots of questions, but we'll getthrough those throughout the show. So Rick,
(05:54):
we're gonna we're gonna jump into fourBranches Bourbon or four Branches, But
let's talk to little bit about yourbackground here. In the first segment.
You've got a very Uh is callfulof good word background before you even got
into this world of distilling. Yeah, I would say, uh, maybe
unique is probably a better word,right. Yeah, So I guess a
(06:16):
little bit on my background since you'releading into it. I I'm originally from
South Louisiana, a kid, youknow, a kid who grew up in
the Bayous. But uh, beforethat, the most of the you know,
your your formative years overseas. SoI had a really unique background growing
up. My dad was an oilEveryone says, we're you're in military.
It's like, no, the trustme. The oil field moves just as
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much as the military about every twoto three years. So before I touched
before I was twelve, I've livedin four different countries and had a great
a great appreciation. That's probably whyI joined the military, A great appreciation
for what we have in this country. When you live overseas among the locals
different different countries, you really getto see how great a country we do
(07:04):
we do live in and and youdon't take for granted some of the things
that we have. But yeah,so suff Louisiana and then went to a
little school called Virginia Military Institute.From an early age I do want to
serve in the military. Just onequite sure which which branch of military I'd
go into. And me and mytwo good friends there and they somehow they
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end up talking me into enlisting inthe Marine Corps, told me it hot,
it'd be great, love it acouple of obstacle courses. It's odd,
you know. At first when whenI got there, I was like,
these guys are not my friends.But now it was the best decision
that I ever made to enlist becauseit gave me a full appreciation of what
I would later do as an infantryWhen I got commissioned as an infantry officer,
(07:53):
so I could then, uh,you know that no one could say,
well, hey, sir, youdidn't do that. I'd be like,
hang on, a man, lance. I was a lance corprel and
I did do that, so let'shop too. Yeah. So spent close
to I had some end lists oftime, and then some about seven and
a half years active duty time asan officer, and then back in time
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in the reserves. And it wasin that period of time after nine eleven
that I kind of fell into thecontracting world for the CIA, and then
I spent a good ten years asa close protective contractor for the agency.
Are we in danger for hearing that? Are we in trouble for knowing that
(08:37):
information? I signed my nda Rickhold. I thought we're gonna have to
jump into a quick break here onHoneymatters KPRC nine to fifty. Welcome back
(09:26):
to Hontingmatters. On k p rC nine fifty, This Shiros Joe B.
Tar. I'm ramon roeboots call chopGuard, didn't you? Yeah?
I was jam and I was justlike, Yeah, I want to be
Angus young. Wouldn't that be cool? Yeah? Like maybe thirty five years
ago. Yeah, I don't wantto be five foot four, but I'd
like to be able to play guitar. Like, yeah, well you can't
have everything. Actually, I wantto be Rick Franco. This dude's a
(09:46):
haws, isn't he. I bethe can play guitar too. I bet
he's killed a bear with his ownhands. I'm gonna ask him that question
a butter knife. Rick Franco isour guest today on Hunting Matters. We're
at KPRC nine fifty. Rick isthe co founder four Branches Spirits Company.
Be sure that's check out their websiteat four Branches dot com, and we're
gonna give you a little Brick's gonnagive you a little freebie here and a
little bit a little surprise a littlebit later in the show, Rick thanks
(10:07):
so much for joining us again.Yeah, hey, guys, thanks for
having me on. So we weregetting in a little bit about the contracting
background. Let's pick up there,because that, you know, not being
military, not having a contracting background, that that fascinates Ramona and I a
little bit. You know, it'sit's uh, I guess what, remote
it's the mystery, the adrenaline,all the things that we see as a
(10:28):
as a civilian. The bits ofknowledge that we get throughout the years doesn't
paint the whole picture, and sowe're just always curious to Yeah, my,
my, The first word always hereto think of when I think about
your private contractors is badasses. Sotell us a little bit about that,
Ricky, or at least what youcan to civilians. Yeah, well,
I can tell you what I cantell you before they come after me.
Right, No, guys, thatyou had all the benefit, at least
(10:54):
within the organization I served in.And this is this is kind of a
backstory for why we started four Branches. Why I started Four Branches as the
founding co founder, It was contractingfor the organization I contracted for for the
agency was by far one of themost rewarding satisfying jobs I've ever done.
(11:15):
You know, think of all thecool things that you can do. Yeah,
you don't have all the same restrictionsthat you might have within the military.
So it was literally during those yearsI served like a dream job.
Now, granted, the part thatis the downside is death, dismemberment and
not being home to your loved ones. Yeah, right now, I think
(11:39):
if I added up how many hostyou know, they're all hostile, otherwise
they wouldn't be having us but closeto something over thirty something hostile deployments over
my time two thousand and eight totwenty fourteen, I was pretty much you
know, in and out of Afghanistanstraight for those seven eight years, and
(12:01):
then hit some other countries which Ican't talk about at the moment. No,
it was fantastic and getting to apoint of where for this, you
know, the contracting was the genesisof four Branches. I had mentioned earlier
that I went to VMI and hada good buddy of mine. We were
there, and then we both becameMarine officers and at le June together,
(12:24):
and then I got out, andthat's kind of when I told you fell
into the contracting world, and Iended up recruiting Greg to come on board
the program within the organization. Intwo thousand and four, Greg goes out
and does his first mission ever anddoes what he's trained to do, does
what we're supposed to do. Savedeveryone's life, I mean literally as he
(12:45):
wrote, but on that first mission, he also lost his and I had
to bring him home. And thenI was accountable, you know, had
to be accountable to the friends andfamily, schoolmates and his mom and dad
of you know what happened on aclassified mission. And those were the seas
for four Branches, right. Ittook twenty five years or so to you
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know, twenty some odd years forthose seas to germinate, and really four
Branches started as a tribute to reallyto Greg right now, Greg right jor
it was going to be a tributeto him and what I'd call the unsung
shadows within our organization because you know, not that not that they need the
recognition or that they want it,but it's I think they deserve it because
(13:30):
there's a lot of men and womenout there that serve in the shadows,
that do things that we'll never knowabout, and sometimes we don't need to
know about it, but the onesthat we can know about, they should
be recognized, right. So that'sthat's why I called Mike, my other
partner, Mike Trot, the AirForce component, who was also a CIA
ulcer, and said, hey,you know, I got this idea.
(13:54):
What do you think? And originallyit was going to be one barrel and
that was going to be a tributeand we were going to put on Facebook.
Can sell it? I was like, be that easy? Well,
let me tell you guys, youcan't do that. You can't sell it
on Facebook. I've learned a lotin for years. Right, it's guys
easy to say, let's just getsome bourbon and put it in a barrel
and you know, I'll make apost on the Instagram or Facebook and they'll
(14:16):
be sold out to the guys inthe unail heartbeat. Well, like I
said, it's not that easy.So Mike and I talk and we ended
up calling Harold. Harold's a retiredcommand master chief with dev Group, which
is in common terms Seal Team six, right, and so the three of
(14:37):
us started talking. And then I'llcredit Mike with this one, because you
know we marine sometimes we're we're notthe brightest as they say. You know,
you get joke a lot around.But I'll give Mike the credit on
this when he looks around and goes, wait, Harold Navy, I'm air
Force. We need one more guy. So we ended up calling a good
friend of ours who said, yougot to call you got to talk to
(14:58):
r J. So our j iswhat we call are underachiever. He started
the green berets and then age forty, he took the pair of rescue Jumper
test because I guess he was justbored. He's boy, yeah, he's
boys, like, screw it,forty, I won't take it. He
still holds the records the oldest guyto pass the pair rescue wow selection.
He's fifty five now and he's stilljump in diving at a perfectly good airplane,
(15:22):
had a perfectly good airplane. Andthen and then he's you know,
we joke with him because he's ayou know, if you remember the eighteen
you had faith, the guy whowas always pretty and looked great and was
doing all that that's our jam becausehe's uh, he's been allowed the extractions
one and two and the Jack Ryanseries. So we joked with him as
(15:43):
Hollywood. Yeah, he's the specialoperators in it. But that's kind of
that's the genesis of four branches.And then we decided, uh, we're
going to try and change the messageout there because we almost stepped away from
it because we know alcohol plays aone time fatal mistake in both men and
(16:03):
women in uniform and in or outof uniform, that they never come back
from. Right, guys, weknow it's a big part in the twenty
two a day and we asked ourselves, do we want to be a part
of this, and we really lookedhard and then we said, no,
we're not wanted back down from afight or challenge. Let's change the narrative.
(16:25):
And for us, that narrative isyou served honorably. Drink this honorably
drink responsibly is incredibly important. Butit's been around for thirty plus years.
We think that drink honorably will resonateand we hope it does with those you
know, whether the last one tocome home from you, whatever you believe
(16:48):
in, whatever higher power, itwasn't your time, So don't dishonor the
memories of those left behind, right, Yeah, honor And we made it
when we say, and we ownthis tagline because we've all been down this
road, each one of us.We've brought bodies, you know, we've
brought friends home. That's why wethat's why we are the four Branches.
(17:10):
We don't drink to forget anymore.We sip to remember. Yeah, So
serve honorably, drink honorably, andsip to remember. Yes, sir,
I think I think that that narrativeis phenomenal. And you know, for
for those people who don't know youknow your background, and we're not going
to really dig into it, youknow, and death. But I mean
you've done a lot of work withwith UH combat veterans dealing with PTSD,
(17:30):
PTSD and equine therapy, UH withhorses and things like that. So I
mean you you fully understand, arefully aware of of dealing with with these
UH when these men and women whenthey come home and dealing with PTSD.
Yeah, one hundred percent. Youhit the head on the nail on the
head, Joe, I did thatfor a europe in Montana with another fantastic
(17:52):
organization. So I get it,I understand it. I've seen it.
We all have. And so that'swhy it's you know, yes, we
are a spirits company. We've gota great bourbon. I'll talk about the
juice later on. But we're alsoa brand that has a responsibility to the
community. And we feel that ifyou're gonna drink, let's drink it honorably.
(18:15):
Let's understand, let's sit around thecampfire and have conversations, impactful,
deep conversations, you know, andeven and we invite everybody, even if
you don't drink. I mean,we've got investors in our company that they
don't drink, right, veterans right. And it's because it's not about the
drinking. It's about the message,exactly, exactly. Taking a quick break
here, Honey Matters back with ourguests, Rick Franco, KPRC nine to
(18:38):
fifty, A man with Donald Welcomeback to Honeymatters O KAFR C nine fifty.
(19:37):
This is your host, Joe Bitar, I'm Ramon and Roebls. Joining
us today is Rick Franco. Rickis the co founder four Branches Spirits Company.
Check out our website at four Branchesdot com easy to remember. All
right, Frank, I have aquestion for you, Frank, Frank,
mister Franco. Question is what isthe largest animal you think you could take
down with your bare hands if youhad to life on the line, you
had to take down an animal.Be honest, Rick, don't a large
(20:00):
sound my bare hands? Fan.You guys are throwing me some hard questions.
H hamster, you said bare hand, not bare hands. So that's
an honest answer. I appreciate that. Oh man, uh, now you
got my brain all scrambled. I'mthinking, which one can I tell you?
(20:21):
I think how BIG's a hamster?Is that a gerbil? No,
that's a hamster anyway. So,Rick, we were talking a little bit
about some of the some of thethe beginnings of four Branches, So tell
us a little bit about the marketlaunch. I mean, this is a
whole new world for you. Sotell our listeners a little bit about the
market launch of four Branches, beyondthe narrative that you guys are establishing.
(20:44):
Yeah. Absolutely, So we launched, Like I said, it took it
took three years to get to Mayof twenty twenty three where we launched.
We did our launch party at BarstownBourbon Company who we've partnered with blend the
bottle our Bourbon. We hit themarket in June, and I tell you
we were blessed. For National BourbonDay. We got a call the day
(21:08):
before from Fox and Friends said,Hey, would you guys like to be
on Fox and Friends Live for NationalBourbon Day? That just doesn't happen to
a brand new brand, right thathas that's not even on the shelves yet,
So mean that was that was ahuge boost for us. We launched
Directed Consumer Online in thirty three statesand now we are on the shelves in
(21:33):
Tennessee, Florida, Kentucky and infirst quarter we should be in Arizona.
And then in twenty twenty four we'relooking to the East coast to Virginia,
Maryland and d C. Kind ofas kind of quote our people, Right,
you have all of the East coastspaces, and then you have the
(21:56):
intelligence community and that whole organization upin the Northeast corridor, you know,
uh, for for for the peoplelistening though. You know, if if
it's allowable within your state, youcan order direct online one und if your
state allows it, uh, youcan go right the four branches dot Com
(22:18):
hit the year over twenty one clickon the different bundle options that we have
out there, uh, and itwill ship through our third party shipper directly
to you. And last year tetcan do that. Oh yeah, well
it's Texas, so I'm already onit. We can do it. And
you know, you and I spenttime together when this when this whole ball
(22:38):
got right. I mean, I'vebeen rolling for a long time before,
but when it was really starting totake take on some speed, you and
I spent the spring together in Turkeycamp, and you were kind enough to
bring down a battle and let uslet us sample some Spiduh. It's like
an advanced I guess, an advanceduh and quirking and uh. I got
to tell you resoundingly around the tablewith all the guys we had in camp,
(23:00):
the ladies we had in camp,they were that everybody was like,
hmmm, this is uh, thisis pretty darn good. And so tell
tell our listeners if you don't mindwhat what in your opinion makes four branches
different from what's out there in themarket right now, Aside from obviously the
the uh you know, the militaryconnections as well as your your drink honorably
sort of honorably sipt tom remember orsiptom remember narrative? Yeah, absolutely,
(23:22):
Joe. It's so what makes itreally unique, uh, is that it's
a four grain, right. Bourbonis typically a three grain. Uh.
Spirit ours is a four grain,and we specifically wanted four grains, one
grain to represent each founder and abranch of the military. Right, So
that was that was paramount. Sothat automatically set us apart. It's a
(23:45):
mix of four year and seven year, so it's a blend, blended bourbon.
It averages to about six years.It said ninety six proof, which
is, you know, that's athat's a really respectable number in ninety six.
But I think out of the outof the you know, eighty or
(24:08):
so tastings that I've done, itis I have yet to really see any
bidas says they don't like it becauseit's a very approachable. I don't want
to use the word smooth because it'soverused, but it's is super approachable and
it's surprising. It surprises a lotof people, whether you're a first time
(24:30):
bourbon drinker or you're you know,you like the one twenty three high proof
high ride You'll be pleasantly surprised withfour branches because it drinks exceptionally well,
both neat and in a cocktail,which, Joe, you're familiar with the
cocktail from some of the other works. Yeah, I'm familiar with both.
(24:52):
I'm an equal opportunity consumer. Ilove it. I love it. You
know, it's a you know Ican do. The mash bill equates to
about sixty five percent corn, fifteenride, ten malted barley, and ten
week You know, when you putit on your nose, you'll get that
vanilla bean. You'll I pick upburnt orange and caramel, uh and subtle
(25:17):
hints of cinnamon. And then inthe mouth it's got just a great blend
of hazel nut, creamy maple simonand fused orange. And the finish is
fantastic. You get that. Wecall it the Kentucky Kiss. Most people
have referred to it as a Kentuckyhug, but I like I like the
word kiss because it resue kiss andhugged and it's uh. You know,
(25:41):
you're drinking bourbon and you get theheat without the burn, and it finishes
wonderful. I agree with you.The one time I did sample, you
do there are three distinct phases ofof of a smell taste and finish with
that, with that and I'm nota fan of blended urbans. I just
not. But I And I'm notsaying this because you're on the show or
(26:03):
anything else, but this, thisone, this is I think this got
some excuse part of the punt gotsome legs under it because it's it's really
all three phases of tasting are unique. Uh with this, with this brand,
I would call it, we've beencalling it. It's really it is
complex. Surprisingly, so we we'rereally proud of what we've created. All
(26:27):
right. So you know we hadahead no, no, you go ahead,
no, say you know we didit Barstown. We had We were
very fortunate to have their masters Stillerpop in and just, uh see what
we were doing, you know,with these four veteran knuckle ads doing.
You got the pipe adds and yougot you pictures the pipe pads and little
(26:48):
droppers. And he spent about twohours with us. He stayed, uh,
if you know makers Mark, hewas the master is still for makers
Mark for forty years. Hall ofFame. Steve Allan, he sat with
us. We got it on film. He looks at us at the end
of at the end of his asyou know, boys, I think he
got something and not knowing anything aboutyou know, not a new industry.
(27:14):
I'll take that all day on.Yeah, and that's nice of him to
come over, Linda Han to quoteunquote competition and just you know, in
that spirit of brotherly you know,helping each other. Yeah, that's really
cool man. You know, theindustry it really is like that. Mm
hmm. We're all obviously competitors,but it is really the most transparent and
(27:36):
friendly industry that have ever been inso unlike anything else, you know,
coming out of the intelligence community,so to speak, where everything's stove pipe
and you know, you know,you don't share secrets, the bourbon community
is happy to share what they dowith you. And it's that's it's almost
like another brotherhood and sisterhood. It'sit's fantast Well, I'm gonna buy a
(28:00):
bottle of Maker's Mark just for that. That's right, we got I got
to let people know. We'll dothat here in the next segment. I'm
just joking. I'm looking at thewebsite and I'm about to buy a six
pack here because you know, infor a penny in for a pound.
But I'm looking at the website andI see you and uh just cuddling up
(28:21):
next to Randy Couture, which iskind of a name drop. But uh,
we all know that those can't bereal teeth, right Randy's yeah.
I mean, nobody would dare sayanything to him. But now you know,
from the safety of my studio here, it's like, dude, I've
seen your fights. Those aren't realteeth. You don't have to comment on
(28:42):
that. I'm just I just observedthat, and I'm just saying it on
the radio, but I'm a loudmouth. Yeah. It's funny you said
that about the brotherhood of the industrybecause several years ago I met a guy
who's a who's a bourbon instiller,uh who said, you know, he
said, this is still right here. Actually was sold me by the guys
that was one of the old Pappyvan Winkle stills. And he said,
(29:03):
not only did they sell me thisstill, they also came down and you
know, gave me some tips abouthow to do it. So it's it's
neat to hear you say that aboutthe brotherhood of the of the bourbon industry
as well. But we're going todig into a little bit more here on
four Branches and the website four branchesdot com with our guests Rick Franco.
Back after this break, Honey Matters, KPRC nine fifty. Just a good
(29:34):
old boy, never a meaning,no harm. It's all you never saw
in trouble were the long sense at They was born clamping the hills.
(29:56):
Someday the mountain mind, good oldof the all. Welcome back to Honey
Matters on k p r C ninefifty. This is your host jobs.
(30:17):
I am Ramon. That's what Rickand Rick, Rick, r J,
Harold and Mike should start calling it. Calling it the Duke Boys. That's
what I imagine when they're hanging out. Yeah. Man, they're just just
mischief, yea, up to nogood but doing good for the community.
The law don't understand them, butman, the people love them. That's
how I picture y'all. Rick.I like the way you pictured it.
(30:40):
That's their walking music. It wouldbe awesome if that played. Is that
Rick coming down this? Yeah,here's Rick speaking of doing good. I
mean, you guys didn't waste anytime giving back and that you know that's
something and you want me working forthese in Spark Club Foundation. We're all
(31:03):
about in a nonprofit, we're allabout giving back. But you guys are
already started throwing bottles out there forto raise money for nonprofits and giving back
to all kinds of communities, haven'tyou. Yeah, you know, it
was almost like a lot of unintendedconsequences. We didn't really realize how how
well we would be received within thecommunity. It is, honestly, guys,
(31:23):
it's really staggering. I added thesenumbers up the other day. We
to date eighteen, you know,eighteen bottles have been auctioned off at different
events around the country and have raisedover one hundred and thirty nine thousand dollars.
We were in d C two weeksago at a private a I called
(31:48):
a private event. It's for theintelligence and Special Operations community, and we
did a special box that we gaveto Michael SPAN's daughter. And so if
no one knows who Michael Span is, he was the first American casually in
the war, and actually Mike Trotbrought him repatrioted him, so that's how
(32:10):
we had the connection. But wealso donated four bottles that were signed,
and those bottles raised sixty six thousandthat night. Wow. Yeah, it's
also it's surreal. It blows mymind, but it's something we're passionate about.
We're really happy to be able toget back. And as a brand,
(32:30):
we've officially partnered with three organizations fullof Folds of Honor, which I'm
sure everyone's familiar with. And thenwe've partnered with Third Option Foundation, which
I always tell no one knows whatThird Option Foundation is, but they take
care of guys like me that wouldhave been you're not in the white and
(32:52):
you're kind of in that gray,right, you don't have the government top
cover, so to speak, sothey take care of it. And I'm
not I don't want to label myselfby any means as a shadow warrior,
but they take care of those guys, right, guys who would be contracting
or guys that are in the intelligencecommunity doing great things for our country but
(33:14):
aren't necessarily covered by you know,Bigary, I've never known. It makes
sense now that you say it,it's like, yeah, of course there
needs to be something like that.Wow. Yeah, So they Third Option
Foundation, And then we partnered withthe CIA Ulcers Memorial Foundation. Yeah,
(33:35):
that's incredible, and you get toraise all that money doing something that you
enjoy doing. I'm gonna make bourbonand then also I'm going to sell it
and make lots of money for theseorganizations. I mean it's a win.
Yeah, it's a win win it. Really it's hard to put a a
you can't put a real number tothat, and it's hard to put a
(33:57):
feeling to it other than it's justthe right thing to do, right,
give back to a community, helpout you know, military veterans and first
responders, and really get it outthere. Yeah. So, Rick,
we were talking off air before westarted recording, and you mentioned that you
had an exclusive gift or offering forour listeners on Honeymatters. Yeah, Joe,
(34:22):
I'd like to offer everyone who canhear this podcast ten percent off at
four Branches dot com if you usethe code Safari ten and that code will
run from the second of December tothe sixth of December. So when you
just if you can order it inyour state, punch at the end of
(34:43):
it, punch into discount code onceagain, Safari ten for ten percent off
anything on our stores. That's awesome, man, we really appreciate it.
So folks go to four branches dotcom and check that out. Ramones filling
his basket right now. On thesecond he's going to hit send literally,
and I want that one right therethat you're looking at. That's the one
I want, remoind for Christmas.I love the hats, but I got
(35:05):
a head so big that there's justnot going to be a hat. So
I'm going to get one of thesevests because it's all reason my vest.
I got a vest. I shouldhave worn it. We're in a vest
today. I didn't wear my fourbranches vest. Wrong? Is that you
modeling the vest on the website?Wreck? Actually that is me? Yeah,
(35:28):
so that is you know what wedidn't have, Joe before we got
the shadow coins. Yes, that'sright. I have seen the shadow comes
first round shadow coins. If youdon't pick one up there, let me
know. I'll have one with yourbob. Yep, yep. But we
got some exchanges to do down heredown the road. Here, we've got
about what four minutes left in ourshow. Let's talk about hunting, because
(35:50):
you got a little side gig aswell that you uh, you have a
pretty successful hunting decoy manufacturing company.Tell us a little bit about that.
Yeah, So We've had that tenyears and actually this twenty four will be
ten years. We start in twentyfourteen is killer gear dot Com. So
we make arguably the most dynamic decoysout there, turkey, antelope, moose
(36:14):
and elk uh and they are absolutelyno plant. They are. They are
killer decoys. You will slam someturkeys with our Jake fan and our turkey
fans staring, and then the elkfan is absolutely dynamite when you're calling in
the bulls. So it's hunting isalways, as you know, it's a
(36:37):
big passion of mine, hunting andconservation. I mean that's why I love
what you guys are doing. Andyou know, I kind of joked that
I had to be doing this andbe out hunting, but no, it's
it's very important to me. Iguess it kind of runs into blood,
so to speak, with the conservationand helping out and really just enjoying the
(37:01):
great outdoors and you know what natureprovides. In fact, I just I
literally just picked up my son's buck. It's in the cool so we're going
to stock the fridge with it andprobably cook up some backstrap tonight. Sounds
like a good dinner. Yeah,you and I haven't haven't been born and
raised. You know, you youwere raised part of your you know,
childhood in Louisiana, albeit a smallpart before you moved off. But that's
(37:23):
kind of genetically we're kind of geneticallypredisposed to eat anything just about that moves.
Yeah, yeah, if it swims, flies or walks, we're not
scared to try it, right right? Yeah? This, Yeah, some
Cajun walked along the river bank oneday went look at that. O ways,
stro I think I can eat that. You know that? You know
(37:45):
that thing that looks across between acrab and a shrimp, and it does
move is fast? Yeah, doesmoves fast, and I'm really hungry.
Yeah, exactly. Oh man,what's your favorite way to try to spend
time in the outdoors? I meanit's a bird hunting, is it?
Fishing is a big game? What'syour preference? My favorite time in the
outdoors is I'm a fanatical, diehard deer hunter. I love the hunting
(38:10):
right. And then as we getolder, you progress for seasons, right
of life, start off young,learning, then it's okay, I'm in
the trophy phase. And don't getme wrong, I still like to shoot
really big deer and chase after them. But now it's hey, I want
to take my boys and expose themand teach them what I know. It's
kind of I'm a net pass onphase. I got a young man at
(38:30):
work that works with me. Iwas kind of taking him in under my
wing as a mentor and like,hey, you should probably sit here,
check the wind. Here, let'scheck your arrows. And he actually harvested
his second biggest buck just the otherday. That's cool to me. I
get almost, you know, abigger kick out of that than if I
(38:52):
were to, you know, shoota deer. Fact. I mean,
I think I didn't standing maybe fivetimes this year at Yeah, that's kind
of where I am in my huntingmaturity. I guess you will get.
I get more joy than, youknow, teaching other people how to do
it and that sort of thing.So, man, we appreciate you joining
us so much. Rick. Folks, go to four Branches dot com,
(39:12):
take advantage of that discount code fromDecember second through December sixth, Safari ten
and support these guys because they aresupporting others in our military as well.
We will see you guys next weekhere on hunting matters KPRC nine to fifty
The Houston Safari Club Foundation is afive OHO one C three nonprofit organization that
supports the future of hunting and conservation. Wildlife and habitat conservation, youth education
and outdoor experiences, scholarships, andanti poaching efforts are just a few of
the programs supported by this organization.Monthly events, an annual convention, award
winning publications, networking opportunities, andvaluable resources for hunting knowledge are just a
(00:21):
few of the benefits of being amember of Houston Safari Club Foundation. If
you're searching for a group of peoplededicated to protecting the future of hunting,
look no further. Join Houston SafariClub Foundation today at we Huntwegive dot org
or call seven one three six twothree eight eight four four. Tradition,
conservation, family, the outdoors.It matters to you, It matters to
(00:48):
us. This is Hunting Matters presentedby Houston Safari Club Foundation. Here's Joe
Bitar welcome back to Honey Matters onkPr nine fifty. Is it me or
does the interest in a little bitslow today? Are you a little lethargic
or what? Well, maybe it'sbeen being around a three and a half
year long for a week. Yeah. Our granddaughters in from San Diego visiting.
(01:12):
So it's uh, it's been anadjustment. Yeah, it's been great,
but man, it's different. It'sdifferent. Yeah, my vocal I
was worried coming in today. Ithought my big vocabulary may has suffered.
You want pudding, Welcome everybody.Papa loves you. I'm hearing a lot
of nose too this week. Ohyeah, yeah, time to get a
(01:34):
bit. No, I can't watchthat cartoon. No it is, it
is what is shocked? No kidsfor how many years? Thirty years,
thirty years at that age. Yeah, and then all of a sudden,
papa. Yeah, and she canhave anything she wants. Of course,
Well she said, Papa, Ilove you. I mean whatever you want.
She's an only grandchild, only grandchildso far. Yeah, and it's
a it's a girl and the onlygirl because we had three boys. Yeah,
(01:57):
Charlotte didn't have any siblings. AndI might had an older sister,
but she was much older. Andyeah, it's been it's been fine.
And we fall into bed every nightwhen we're done. Yeah, she's the
she rules the roost, right,she does rule the roost. Yeah.
We went to the toy store yesterdayand she got everything she pointed out.
But she was good. I meanshe didn't point I need that, I
need that. She wouldn't like that. She had a few things she wanted
(02:20):
and she got her. Not badat all, not bad at all.
So she's gonna make some dude veryhappy in eighteen years. I can't imagine.
I can't imagine. She is ashe's just dropped it beautiful. Yeah,
not to say it because she's mygranddaughter. I mean she's just a
good looking kid, good jeans.Her mother's Latin American, her dad's good.
My son's a good looking kid,you know, Navy kids. So
I don't know where you got thatfrom his mother, because, as you
(02:43):
say, I've got a face fora radio and podcast. So how was
your Thanksgiving? It went well.We over eight of course, and no
arguments. It's a good thing abouthaving family that you like. Yeah,
you go along with everyone. Yeah, and it's nice. There's never drama,
right, you know, we're thattype of family that we're cool with
silence. Sure, So an hourafter we ate, we're just watching the
football game. Yep, nod nothing. Yeah, it's great because you just
(03:07):
to be you know, my parentswere like that same way. You'd have
to entertain them, you feed them, and they're doing there with things.
Yeah, it was great, verylaid back, all right. What's happening
with Houston Spire Club Foundation. Decemberseventh is the annual Christmas Party out at
the Barn in Cyprus, Texas.And then of course we are Living,
Eating, and Breathing Convention January thenineteenth, of the twenty first, the
(03:28):
Houston Spire Club Foundation Annual Convention andWorldwide Hunting Expo is going to be at
the Woodlands Waterway, Mariat Hotel andConvention Center. And if you're listening and
you've been before, we were atthe George R. Brown in downtown Houston
for the past five years. Weare now moving out to the Woodlands.
You can check out everything about conventionat we hunt we give dot Oregon click
on the convention drop down button.This year, we're doing a full slate
(03:50):
of free seminars for Saturday and Sunday. I think our auction lineup has been
the best I've seen it in thepast ten years. We've got some unbelievable
stuff, including a rock came outand go tag from the State of Oregon.
We're doing a laborator retriever puppy.I mean, the list is just
endless that I think our live auctionthis year is probably the best it's been
in a long time. And we'restill going to be able to do it
(04:12):
online. Yes, yep, goodOnline Hunting Auctions dot Com. I'm glad
you mentioned that if you can't makeit to Houston, we'd love for you
to come. Come to the banquets. It's a blast. We have live
entertainment, hosted bar, great food. But if you cannot for some reason
make convention this year, you cango to Online Hunting Auctions dot com and
look up Houston spri Club Foundation LiveAuctions. That's going to be posted probably
(04:33):
here in the next week or so, uh second into first week. Second
week of December is when that goeslive, and then you can participate live
during the actual live auction. Sobut go to we hunt we give dot
org check out all the cool stuffthat's happening with the Houston Spri Club Foundation
and sign up and become a membertoday. Alrighty uh. A friend of
(04:53):
mine, buddy of mine, Icall him a friend. We've got to
know each other over the years.Mister Rick franco Is with us today.
He's the co f under a FourBranches spirits company, and we're gonna learn
about Rick's past and also what he'slooking at doing for the future. So
Rick, thanks so much for joiningus. Hey, Joe, it's it's
great to be on guys. Ireally appreciate it. Yeah, you're a
(05:14):
friend. It's fantastic that we've gotto know each other and we're we're looking
forward to sitting down this morning chatting. Rick. Let me ask you this,
what part of Yellowstone did you playin? What was your role in
that TV show? You look youlook like a dude that came right off
that set to join us this morning. I appreciate it. I don't know
(05:34):
what part of Yellows and I wouldhave been on, but I might have
been one of the one of theranch hands that was probably really close to
Rip. Yeah, yeah, becauseyou certainly looked that part. I got
lots of questions, but we'll getthrough those throughout the show. So Rick,
(05:54):
we're gonna we're gonna jump into fourBranches Bourbon or four Branches, But
let's talk to little bit about yourbackground here. In the first segment.
You've got a very Uh is callfulof good word background before you even got
into this world of distilling. Yeah, I would say, uh, maybe
unique is probably a better word,right. Yeah, So I guess a
(06:16):
little bit on my background since you'releading into it. I I'm originally from
South Louisiana, a kid, youknow, a kid who grew up in
the Bayous. But uh, beforethat, the most of the you know,
your your formative years overseas. SoI had a really unique background growing
up. My dad was an oilEveryone says, we're you're in military.
It's like, no, the trustme. The oil field moves just as
(06:40):
much as the military about every twoto three years. So before I touched
before I was twelve, I've livedin four different countries and had a great
a great appreciation. That's probably whyI joined the military, A great appreciation
for what we have in this country. When you live overseas among the locals
different different countries, you really getto see how great a country we do
(07:04):
we do live in and and youdon't take for granted some of the things
that we have. But yeah,so suff Louisiana and then went to a
little school called Virginia Military Institute.From an early age I do want to
serve in the military. Just onequite sure which which branch of military I'd
go into. And me and mytwo good friends there and they somehow they
(07:29):
end up talking me into enlisting inthe Marine Corps, told me it hot,
it'd be great, love it acouple of obstacle courses. It's odd,
you know. At first when whenI got there, I was like,
these guys are not my friends.But now it was the best decision
that I ever made to enlist becauseit gave me a full appreciation of what
I would later do as an infantryWhen I got commissioned as an infantry officer,
(07:53):
so I could then, uh,you know that no one could say,
well, hey, sir, youdidn't do that. I'd be like,
hang on, a man, lance. I was a lance corprel and
I did do that, so let'shop too. Yeah. So spent close
to I had some end lists oftime, and then some about seven and
a half years active duty time asan officer, and then back in time
(08:16):
in the reserves. And it wasin that period of time after nine eleven
that I kind of fell into thecontracting world for the CIA, and then
I spent a good ten years asa close protective contractor for the agency.
Are we in danger for hearing that? Are we in trouble for knowing that
(08:37):
information? I signed my nda Rickhold. I thought we're gonna have to
jump into a quick break here onHoneymatters KPRC nine to fifty. Welcome back
(09:26):
to Hontingmatters. On k p rC nine fifty, This Shiros Joe B.
Tar. I'm ramon roeboots call chopGuard, didn't you? Yeah?
I was jam and I was justlike, Yeah, I want to be
Angus young. Wouldn't that be cool? Yeah? Like maybe thirty five years
ago. Yeah, I don't wantto be five foot four, but I'd
like to be able to play guitar. Like, yeah, well you can't
have everything. Actually, I wantto be Rick Franco. This dude's a
(09:46):
haws, isn't he. I bethe can play guitar too. I bet
he's killed a bear with his ownhands. I'm gonna ask him that question
a butter knife. Rick Franco isour guest today on Hunting Matters. We're
at KPRC nine fifty. Rick isthe co founder four Branches Spirits Company.
Be sure that's check out their websiteat four Branches dot com, and we're
gonna give you a little Brick's gonnagive you a little freebie here and a
little bit a little surprise a littlebit later in the show, Rick thanks
(10:07):
so much for joining us again.Yeah, hey, guys, thanks for
having me on. So we weregetting in a little bit about the contracting
background. Let's pick up there,because that, you know, not being
military, not having a contracting background, that that fascinates Ramona and I a
little bit. You know, it'sit's uh, I guess what, remote
it's the mystery, the adrenaline,all the things that we see as a
(10:28):
as a civilian. The bits ofknowledge that we get throughout the years doesn't
paint the whole picture, and sowe're just always curious to Yeah, my,
my, The first word always hereto think of when I think about
your private contractors is badasses. Sotell us a little bit about that,
Ricky, or at least what youcan to civilians. Yeah, well,
I can tell you what I cantell you before they come after me.
Right, No, guys, thatyou had all the benefit, at least
(10:54):
within the organization I served in.And this is this is kind of a
backstory for why we started four Branches. Why I started Four Branches as the
founding co founder, It was contractingfor the organization I contracted for for the
agency was by far one of themost rewarding satisfying jobs I've ever done.
(11:15):
You know, think of all thecool things that you can do. Yeah,
you don't have all the same restrictionsthat you might have within the military.
So it was literally during those yearsI served like a dream job.
Now, granted, the part thatis the downside is death, dismemberment and
not being home to your loved ones. Yeah, right now, I think
(11:39):
if I added up how many hostyou know, they're all hostile, otherwise
they wouldn't be having us but closeto something over thirty something hostile deployments over
my time two thousand and eight totwenty fourteen, I was pretty much you
know, in and out of Afghanistanstraight for those seven eight years, and
(12:01):
then hit some other countries which Ican't talk about at the moment. No,
it was fantastic and getting to apoint of where for this, you
know, the contracting was the genesisof four Branches. I had mentioned earlier
that I went to VMI and hada good buddy of mine. We were
there, and then we both becameMarine officers and at le June together,
(12:24):
and then I got out, andthat's kind of when I told you fell
into the contracting world, and Iended up recruiting Greg to come on board
the program within the organization. Intwo thousand and four, Greg goes out
and does his first mission ever anddoes what he's trained to do, does
what we're supposed to do. Savedeveryone's life, I mean literally as he
(12:45):
wrote, but on that first mission, he also lost his and I had
to bring him home. And thenI was accountable, you know, had
to be accountable to the friends andfamily, schoolmates and his mom and dad
of you know what happened on aclassified mission. And those were the seas
for four Branches, right. Ittook twenty five years or so to you
(13:07):
know, twenty some odd years forthose seas to germinate, and really four
Branches started as a tribute to reallyto Greg right now, Greg right jor
it was going to be a tributeto him and what I'd call the unsung
shadows within our organization because you know, not that not that they need the
recognition or that they want it,but it's I think they deserve it because
(13:30):
there's a lot of men and womenout there that serve in the shadows,
that do things that we'll never knowabout, and sometimes we don't need to
know about it, but the onesthat we can know about, they should
be recognized, right. So that'sthat's why I called Mike, my other
partner, Mike Trot, the AirForce component, who was also a CIA
ulcer, and said, hey,you know, I got this idea.
(13:54):
What do you think? And originallyit was going to be one barrel and
that was going to be a tributeand we were going to put on Facebook.
Can sell it? I was like, be that easy? Well,
let me tell you guys, youcan't do that. You can't sell it
on Facebook. I've learned a lotin for years. Right, it's guys
easy to say, let's just getsome bourbon and put it in a barrel
and you know, I'll make apost on the Instagram or Facebook and they'll
(14:16):
be sold out to the guys inthe unail heartbeat. Well, like I
said, it's not that easy.So Mike and I talk and we ended
up calling Harold. Harold's a retiredcommand master chief with dev Group, which
is in common terms Seal Team six, right, and so the three of
(14:37):
us started talking. And then I'llcredit Mike with this one, because you
know we marine sometimes we're we're notthe brightest as they say. You know,
you get joke a lot around.But I'll give Mike the credit on
this when he looks around and goes, wait, Harold Navy, I'm air
Force. We need one more guy. So we ended up calling a good
friend of ours who said, yougot to call you got to talk to
(14:58):
r J. So our j iswhat we call are underachiever. He started
the green berets and then age forty, he took the pair of rescue Jumper
test because I guess he was justbored. He's boy, yeah, he's
boys, like, screw it,forty, I won't take it. He
still holds the records the oldest guyto pass the pair rescue wow selection.
He's fifty five now and he's stilljump in diving at a perfectly good airplane,
(15:22):
had a perfectly good airplane. Andthen and then he's you know,
we joke with him because he's ayou know, if you remember the eighteen
you had faith, the guy whowas always pretty and looked great and was
doing all that that's our jam becausehe's uh, he's been allowed the extractions
one and two and the Jack Ryanseries. So we joked with him as
(15:43):
Hollywood. Yeah, he's the specialoperators in it. But that's kind of
that's the genesis of four branches.And then we decided, uh, we're
going to try and change the messageout there because we almost stepped away from
it because we know alcohol plays aone time fatal mistake in both men and
(16:03):
women in uniform and in or outof uniform, that they never come back
from. Right, guys, weknow it's a big part in the twenty
two a day and we asked ourselves, do we want to be a part
of this, and we really lookedhard and then we said, no,
we're not wanted back down from afight or challenge. Let's change the narrative.
(16:25):
And for us, that narrative isyou served honorably. Drink this honorably
drink responsibly is incredibly important. Butit's been around for thirty plus years.
We think that drink honorably will resonateand we hope it does with those you
know, whether the last one tocome home from you, whatever you believe
(16:48):
in, whatever higher power, itwasn't your time, So don't dishonor the
memories of those left behind, right, Yeah, honor And we made it
when we say, and we ownthis tagline because we've all been down this
road, each one of us.We've brought bodies, you know, we've
brought friends home. That's why wethat's why we are the four Branches.
(17:10):
We don't drink to forget anymore.We sip to remember. Yeah, So
serve honorably, drink honorably, andsip to remember. Yes, sir,
I think I think that that narrativeis phenomenal. And you know, for
for those people who don't know youknow your background, and we're not going
to really dig into it, youknow, and death. But I mean
you've done a lot of work withwith UH combat veterans dealing with PTSD,
(17:30):
PTSD and equine therapy, UH withhorses and things like that. So I
mean you you fully understand, arefully aware of of dealing with with these
UH when these men and women whenthey come home and dealing with PTSD.
Yeah, one hundred percent. Youhit the head on the nail on the
head, Joe, I did thatfor a europe in Montana with another fantastic
(17:52):
organization. So I get it,I understand it. I've seen it.
We all have. And so that'swhy it's you know, yes, we
are a spirits company. We've gota great bourbon. I'll talk about the
juice later on. But we're alsoa brand that has a responsibility to the
community. And we feel that ifyou're gonna drink, let's drink it honorably.
(18:15):
Let's understand, let's sit around thecampfire and have conversations, impactful,
deep conversations, you know, andeven and we invite everybody, even if
you don't drink. I mean,we've got investors in our company that they
don't drink, right, veterans right. And it's because it's not about the
drinking. It's about the message,exactly, exactly. Taking a quick break
here, Honey Matters back with ourguests, Rick Franco, KPRC nine to
(18:38):
fifty, A man with Donald Welcomeback to Honeymatters O KAFR C nine fifty.
(19:37):
This is your host, Joe Bitar, I'm Ramon and Roebls. Joining
us today is Rick Franco. Rickis the co founder four Branches Spirits Company.
Check out our website at four Branchesdot com easy to remember. All
right, Frank, I have aquestion for you, Frank, Frank,
mister Franco. Question is what isthe largest animal you think you could take
down with your bare hands if youhad to life on the line, you
had to take down an animal.Be honest, Rick, don't a large
(20:00):
sound my bare hands? Fan.You guys are throwing me some hard questions.
H hamster, you said bare hand, not bare hands. So that's
an honest answer. I appreciate that. Oh man, uh, now you
got my brain all scrambled. I'mthinking, which one can I tell you?
(20:21):
I think how BIG's a hamster?Is that a gerbil? No,
that's a hamster anyway. So,Rick, we were talking a little bit
about some of the some of thethe beginnings of four Branches, So tell
us a little bit about the marketlaunch. I mean, this is a
whole new world for you. Sotell our listeners a little bit about the
market launch of four Branches, beyondthe narrative that you guys are establishing.
(20:44):
Yeah. Absolutely, So we launched, Like I said, it took it
took three years to get to Mayof twenty twenty three where we launched.
We did our launch party at BarstownBourbon Company who we've partnered with blend the
bottle our Bourbon. We hit themarket in June, and I tell you
we were blessed. For National BourbonDay. We got a call the day
(21:08):
before from Fox and Friends said,Hey, would you guys like to be
on Fox and Friends Live for NationalBourbon Day? That just doesn't happen to
a brand new brand, right thathas that's not even on the shelves yet,
So mean that was that was ahuge boost for us. We launched
Directed Consumer Online in thirty three statesand now we are on the shelves in
(21:33):
Tennessee, Florida, Kentucky and infirst quarter we should be in Arizona.
And then in twenty twenty four we'relooking to the East coast to Virginia,
Maryland and d C. Kind ofas kind of quote our people, Right,
you have all of the East coastspaces, and then you have the
(21:56):
intelligence community and that whole organization upin the Northeast corridor, you know,
uh, for for for the peoplelistening though. You know, if if
it's allowable within your state, youcan order direct online one und if your
state allows it, uh, youcan go right the four branches dot Com
(22:18):
hit the year over twenty one clickon the different bundle options that we have
out there, uh, and itwill ship through our third party shipper directly
to you. And last year tetcan do that. Oh yeah, well
it's Texas, so I'm already onit. We can do it. And
you know, you and I spenttime together when this when this whole ball
(22:38):
got right. I mean, I'vebeen rolling for a long time before,
but when it was really starting totake take on some speed, you and
I spent the spring together in Turkeycamp, and you were kind enough to
bring down a battle and let uslet us sample some Spiduh. It's like
an advanced I guess, an advanceduh and quirking and uh. I got
to tell you resoundingly around the tablewith all the guys we had in camp,
(23:00):
the ladies we had in camp,they were that everybody was like,
hmmm, this is uh, thisis pretty darn good. And so tell
tell our listeners if you don't mindwhat what in your opinion makes four branches
different from what's out there in themarket right now, Aside from obviously the
the uh you know, the militaryconnections as well as your your drink honorably
sort of honorably sipt tom remember orsiptom remember narrative? Yeah, absolutely,
(23:22):
Joe. It's so what makes itreally unique, uh, is that it's
a four grain, right. Bourbonis typically a three grain. Uh.
Spirit ours is a four grain,and we specifically wanted four grains, one
grain to represent each founder and abranch of the military. Right, So
that was that was paramount. Sothat automatically set us apart. It's a
(23:45):
mix of four year and seven year, so it's a blend, blended bourbon.
It averages to about six years.It said ninety six proof, which
is, you know, that's athat's a really respectable number in ninety six.
But I think out of the outof the you know, eighty or
(24:08):
so tastings that I've done, itis I have yet to really see any
bidas says they don't like it becauseit's a very approachable. I don't want
to use the word smooth because it'soverused, but it's is super approachable and
it's surprising. It surprises a lotof people, whether you're a first time
(24:30):
bourbon drinker or you're you know,you like the one twenty three high proof
high ride You'll be pleasantly surprised withfour branches because it drinks exceptionally well,
both neat and in a cocktail,which, Joe, you're familiar with the
cocktail from some of the other works. Yeah, I'm familiar with both.
(24:52):
I'm an equal opportunity consumer. Ilove it. I love it. You
know, it's a you know Ican do. The mash bill equates to
about sixty five percent corn, fifteenride, ten malted barley, and ten
week You know, when you putit on your nose, you'll get that
vanilla bean. You'll I pick upburnt orange and caramel, uh and subtle
(25:17):
hints of cinnamon. And then inthe mouth it's got just a great blend
of hazel nut, creamy maple simonand fused orange. And the finish is
fantastic. You get that. Wecall it the Kentucky Kiss. Most people
have referred to it as a Kentuckyhug, but I like I like the
word kiss because it resue kiss andhugged and it's uh. You know,
(25:41):
you're drinking bourbon and you get theheat without the burn, and it finishes
wonderful. I agree with you.The one time I did sample, you
do there are three distinct phases ofof of a smell taste and finish with
that, with that and I'm nota fan of blended urbans. I just
not. But I And I'm notsaying this because you're on the show or
(26:03):
anything else, but this, thisone, this is I think this got
some excuse part of the punt gotsome legs under it because it's it's really
all three phases of tasting are unique. Uh with this, with this brand,
I would call it, we've beencalling it. It's really it is
complex. Surprisingly, so we we'rereally proud of what we've created. All
(26:27):
right. So you know we hadahead no, no, you go ahead,
no, say you know we didit Barstown. We had We were
very fortunate to have their masters Stillerpop in and just, uh see what
we were doing, you know,with these four veteran knuckle ads doing.
You got the pipe adds and yougot you pictures the pipe pads and little
(26:48):
droppers. And he spent about twohours with us. He stayed, uh,
if you know makers Mark, hewas the master is still for makers
Mark for forty years. Hall ofFame. Steve Allan, he sat with
us. We got it on film. He looks at us at the end
of at the end of his asyou know, boys, I think he
got something and not knowing anything aboutyou know, not a new industry.
(27:14):
I'll take that all day on.Yeah, and that's nice of him to
come over, Linda Han to quoteunquote competition and just you know, in
that spirit of brotherly you know,helping each other. Yeah, that's really
cool man. You know, theindustry it really is like that. Mm
hmm. We're all obviously competitors,but it is really the most transparent and
(27:36):
friendly industry that have ever been inso unlike anything else, you know,
coming out of the intelligence community,so to speak, where everything's stove pipe
and you know, you know,you don't share secrets, the bourbon community
is happy to share what they dowith you. And it's that's it's almost
like another brotherhood and sisterhood. It'sit's fantast Well, I'm gonna buy a
(28:00):
bottle of Maker's Mark just for that. That's right, we got I got
to let people know. We'll dothat here in the next segment. I'm
just joking. I'm looking at thewebsite and I'm about to buy a six
pack here because you know, infor a penny in for a pound.
But I'm looking at the website andI see you and uh just cuddling up
(28:21):
next to Randy Couture, which iskind of a name drop. But uh,
we all know that those can't bereal teeth, right Randy's yeah.
I mean, nobody would dare sayanything to him. But now you know,
from the safety of my studio here, it's like, dude, I've
seen your fights. Those aren't realteeth. You don't have to comment on
(28:42):
that. I'm just I just observedthat, and I'm just saying it on
the radio, but I'm a loudmouth. Yeah. It's funny you said
that about the brotherhood of the industrybecause several years ago I met a guy
who's a who's a bourbon instiller,uh who said, you know, he
said, this is still right here. Actually was sold me by the guys
that was one of the old Pappyvan Winkle stills. And he said,
(29:03):
not only did they sell me thisstill, they also came down and you
know, gave me some tips abouthow to do it. So it's it's
neat to hear you say that aboutthe brotherhood of the of the bourbon industry
as well. But we're going todig into a little bit more here on
four Branches and the website four branchesdot com with our guests Rick Franco.
Back after this break, Honey Matters, KPRC nine fifty. Just a good
(29:34):
old boy, never a meaning,no harm. It's all you never saw
in trouble were the long sense at They was born clamping the hills.
(29:56):
Someday the mountain mind, good oldof the all. Welcome back to Honey
Matters on k p r C ninefifty. This is your host jobs.
(30:17):
I am Ramon. That's what Rickand Rick, Rick, r J,
Harold and Mike should start calling it. Calling it the Duke Boys. That's
what I imagine when they're hanging out. Yeah. Man, they're just just
mischief, yea, up to nogood but doing good for the community.
The law don't understand them, butman, the people love them. That's
how I picture y'all. Rick.I like the way you pictured it.
(30:40):
That's their walking music. It wouldbe awesome if that played. Is that
Rick coming down this? Yeah,here's Rick speaking of doing good. I
mean, you guys didn't waste anytime giving back and that you know that's
something and you want me working forthese in Spark Club Foundation. We're all
(31:03):
about in a nonprofit, we're allabout giving back. But you guys are
already started throwing bottles out there forto raise money for nonprofits and giving back
to all kinds of communities, haven'tyou. Yeah, you know, it
was almost like a lot of unintendedconsequences. We didn't really realize how how
well we would be received within thecommunity. It is, honestly, guys,
(31:23):
it's really staggering. I added thesenumbers up the other day. We
to date eighteen, you know,eighteen bottles have been auctioned off at different
events around the country and have raisedover one hundred and thirty nine thousand dollars.
We were in d C two weeksago at a private a I called
(31:48):
a private event. It's for theintelligence and Special Operations community, and we
did a special box that we gaveto Michael SPAN's daughter. And so if
no one knows who Michael Span is, he was the first American casually in
the war, and actually Mike Trotbrought him repatrioted him, so that's how
(32:10):
we had the connection. But wealso donated four bottles that were signed,
and those bottles raised sixty six thousandthat night. Wow. Yeah, it's
also it's surreal. It blows mymind, but it's something we're passionate about.
We're really happy to be able toget back. And as a brand,
(32:30):
we've officially partnered with three organizations fullof Folds of Honor, which I'm
sure everyone's familiar with. And thenwe've partnered with Third Option Foundation, which
I always tell no one knows whatThird Option Foundation is, but they take
care of guys like me that wouldhave been you're not in the white and
(32:52):
you're kind of in that gray,right, you don't have the government top
cover, so to speak, sothey take care of it. And I'm
not I don't want to label myselfby any means as a shadow warrior,
but they take care of those guys, right, guys who would be contracting
or guys that are in the intelligencecommunity doing great things for our country but
(33:14):
aren't necessarily covered by you know,Bigary, I've never known. It makes
sense now that you say it,it's like, yeah, of course there
needs to be something like that.Wow. Yeah, So they Third Option
Foundation, And then we partnered withthe CIA Ulcers Memorial Foundation. Yeah,
(33:35):
that's incredible, and you get toraise all that money doing something that you
enjoy doing. I'm gonna make bourbonand then also I'm going to sell it
and make lots of money for theseorganizations. I mean it's a win.
Yeah, it's a win win it. Really it's hard to put a a
you can't put a real number tothat, and it's hard to put a
(33:57):
feeling to it other than it's justthe right thing to do, right,
give back to a community, helpout you know, military veterans and first
responders, and really get it outthere. Yeah. So, Rick,
we were talking off air before westarted recording, and you mentioned that you
had an exclusive gift or offering forour listeners on Honeymatters. Yeah, Joe,
(34:22):
I'd like to offer everyone who canhear this podcast ten percent off at
four Branches dot com if you usethe code Safari ten and that code will
run from the second of December tothe sixth of December. So when you
just if you can order it inyour state, punch at the end of
(34:43):
it, punch into discount code onceagain, Safari ten for ten percent off
anything on our stores. That's awesome, man, we really appreciate it.
So folks go to four branches dotcom and check that out. Ramones filling
his basket right now. On thesecond he's going to hit send literally,
and I want that one right therethat you're looking at. That's the one
I want, remoind for Christmas.I love the hats, but I got
(35:05):
a head so big that there's justnot going to be a hat. So
I'm going to get one of thesevests because it's all reason my vest.
I got a vest. I shouldhave worn it. We're in a vest
today. I didn't wear my fourbranches vest. Wrong? Is that you
modeling the vest on the website?Wreck? Actually that is me? Yeah,
(35:28):
so that is you know what wedidn't have, Joe before we got
the shadow coins. Yes, that'sright. I have seen the shadow comes
first round shadow coins. If youdon't pick one up there, let me
know. I'll have one with yourbob. Yep, yep. But we
got some exchanges to do down heredown the road. Here, we've got
about what four minutes left in ourshow. Let's talk about hunting, because
(35:50):
you got a little side gig aswell that you uh, you have a
pretty successful hunting decoy manufacturing company.Tell us a little bit about that.
Yeah, So We've had that tenyears and actually this twenty four will be
ten years. We start in twentyfourteen is killer gear dot Com. So
we make arguably the most dynamic decoysout there, turkey, antelope, moose
(36:14):
and elk uh and they are absolutelyno plant. They are. They are
killer decoys. You will slam someturkeys with our Jake fan and our turkey
fans staring, and then the elkfan is absolutely dynamite when you're calling in
the bulls. So it's hunting isalways, as you know, it's a
(36:37):
big passion of mine, hunting andconservation. I mean that's why I love
what you guys are doing. Andyou know, I kind of joked that
I had to be doing this andbe out hunting, but no, it's
it's very important to me. Iguess it kind of runs into blood,
so to speak, with the conservationand helping out and really just enjoying the
(37:01):
great outdoors and you know what natureprovides. In fact, I just I
literally just picked up my son's buck. It's in the cool so we're going
to stock the fridge with it andprobably cook up some backstrap tonight. Sounds
like a good dinner. Yeah,you and I haven't haven't been born and
raised. You know, you youwere raised part of your you know,
childhood in Louisiana, albeit a smallpart before you moved off. But that's
(37:23):
kind of genetically we're kind of geneticallypredisposed to eat anything just about that moves.
Yeah, yeah, if it swims, flies or walks, we're not
scared to try it, right right? Yeah? This, Yeah, some
Cajun walked along the river bank oneday went look at that. O ways,
stro I think I can eat that. You know that? You know
(37:45):
that thing that looks across between acrab and a shrimp, and it does
move is fast? Yeah, doesmoves fast, and I'm really hungry.
Yeah, exactly. Oh man,what's your favorite way to try to spend
time in the outdoors? I meanit's a bird hunting, is it?
Fishing is a big game? What'syour preference? My favorite time in the
outdoors is I'm a fanatical, diehard deer hunter. I love the hunting
(38:10):
right. And then as we getolder, you progress for seasons, right
of life, start off young,learning, then it's okay, I'm in
the trophy phase. And don't getme wrong, I still like to shoot
really big deer and chase after them. But now it's hey, I want
to take my boys and expose themand teach them what I know. It's
kind of I'm a net pass onphase. I got a young man at
(38:30):
work that works with me. Iwas kind of taking him in under my
wing as a mentor and like,hey, you should probably sit here,
check the wind. Here, let'scheck your arrows. And he actually harvested
his second biggest buck just the otherday. That's cool to me. I
get almost, you know, abigger kick out of that than if I
(38:52):
were to, you know, shoota deer. Fact. I mean,
I think I didn't standing maybe fivetimes this year at Yeah, that's kind
of where I am in my huntingmaturity. I guess you will get.
I get more joy than, youknow, teaching other people how to do
it and that sort of thing.So, man, we appreciate you joining
us so much. Rick. Folks, go to four Branches dot com,
(39:12):
take advantage of that discount code fromDecember second through December sixth, Safari ten
and support these guys because they aresupporting others in our military as well.
We will see you guys next weekhere on hunting matters KPRC nine to fifty
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