Introducing RPG Brands: Igniting With Innovation in the Hearth and Barbecue Industry
RPG Brands, a U.S.-based fireplace and barbecue manufacturer, announced its formation as a multi-brand parent company that intends to be an innovative disruptor in indoor heating products and outdoor living technology.
Founded by Kris Richardson (President) ― whose Arizona-based family legacy and leadership within the hearth industry goes back nearly a half-century – RPG Brands is the parent company that contains innovative fireplace and BBQ brands, featuring: Modern Flames Electric Fireplaces, Grand Canyon Gas Logs, and Wildfire Outdoor Living.
Richardson made the announcement at the RPG Brands Retreat in October 2021 ― where he and his team hosted a select group of customers to showcase a first-look at cutting-edge virtual flame technology, upcoming innovations and product launches, as well as a highly-anticipated brand launch that will propel them into a new category ― gas grilling and outdoor living.
In 2008, Richardson began laying the framework for Modern Flames, with the goal of revolutionizing in a category no one else was in: electric fireplaces. Richardson and co-founder Tom Foy officially launched Modern Flames in June 2009 – the first North American company to create linear electric fireplaces. Modern Flames quickly gained national attention, winning the Vesta Award for Best Electric Fireplace, which launched a nationwide trend for linear electric fireplaces. Modern Flames was also celebrated for appearing five consecutive years on the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies list.
Elliott White, a longtime fireplace innovator, joined the team in 2014 to develop and grow a new venture called Grand Canyon Gas Logs which entered the company into an entirely new category within the fireplace industry. White used the same formula that succeeded with Modern Flames, and Grand Canyon Gas Logs quickly became a key player in the gas logs industry.
In 2019, RPG Brands was established as the parent company of Modern Flames and Grand Canyon Gas Logs. Looking to propel the industry forward, the company created an in-house engineering team to design and develop new technologies for electric fireplaces and gas logs – a step to cement RPG Brands’ presence as an industry leader in creating the newest, most original products in the field.
In 2021, RPG Brands began its expansion into the gas grilling and outdoor living space when Richardson brought on Joe Lopez – previously of Lynx Grills, Fuego, & Spark Grills Executive Leadership – to establish Wildfire Outdoor Living. An innovation-driven, outdoor living brand employing over 20 years of BBQ industry experience to make precision controlled, perfectly cooked food more accessible within an at-home experience.
Wildfire is slated to officially launch at the International Builders’ Show in Orlando, FL, from Feb. 8-10, 2022 with a Core Collection of products featuring professional-grade gas grills, griddles, burners and select outdoor kitchen accessories.
For more information, visit www.RPGBrands.com.
