Where Tradition Continues — and Flavor Moves Forward
Willingham’s® is a championship barbecue brand built on decades of craft, competition, and real-world cooking. Today, our focus remains simple — create seasonings and sauces that perform where it matters most: in professional kitchens, restaurants, and backyard pits alike.
Our Story
From a single trailer in Memphis to a brand on every continent worth cooking on.
Since 1983, the Willingham’s® name has been associated with balanced flavor, clean smoke, and competition-proven results. Founded by BBQ Hall of Fame pitmaster John Willingham and now led by owner and championship pitmaster Paul Holden, the brand continues to evolve while staying true to its roots — flavor, technique, and no shortcuts.
Willingham’s has operated continuously since 1983 under Whamco, Inc., the Tennessee C corporation John Willingham founded to hold the W’ham® and Willingham’s® trademarks and run the brand. After Willingham’s death in May 2013, Paul Holden — who had been part of the Willingham’s team since the early 1990s — became Whamco’s sole shareholder, CEO, and sole director through a stock purchase. The corporate entity, its trademark registrations, and its operations continued without interruption.
What We Build
Seasonings and sauces designed to complement the meat, not cover it up.
Willingham’s® products are used daily in our own kitchens, trusted by hundreds of chefs across a wide range of culinary styles, and relied upon by backyard cooks looking to elevate their barbecue game. From steakhouses and Southern kitchens to competition circuits and weekend grills, the goal remains the same — complement the meat, not cover it up.
Forty Years of Standards
Forty years of standards. Two pitmasters. One brand that never compromises on what goes into the rub or onto the pit.
Forty-plus years on the competition trail. Five World Grand Championships. Twenty-four world first-place calls. Hundreds of top finishes across Memphis in May, the American Royal, the Jack Daniel’s Invitational, and the World Food Championships. See the full Championship Record →
Competition has always been validation — not the destination. Today, Willingham’s® continues to grow through restaurant operations, licensed locations, food service partnerships, and a loyal community of cooks and brand ambassadors. We remain active on the competition circuit while also supporting the next generation of pitmasters through youth programs, including sponsorship of junior barbecue contests and the John Willingham Spirit of BBQ Award and scholarship at Memphis in May.
Today and Tomorrow
Built to help you cook with confidence — and flavor that speaks for itself.
Our seasonings and sauces are crafted to work across virtually any protein or cooking style, bringing championship-level balance to everyday cooking. Whether you’re a chef, pitmaster, or backyard griller, Willingham’s® is built to help you cook with confidence — and flavor that speaks for itself.
Our commitment to quality and dedication to the craft of BBQ has earned us a reputation as one of the world’s top BBQ product companies and competition teams.
Our Mission
A commitment to excellence — and to the integrity of every product we offer.
A pledge to help everyone discover the thrill and realization of the joys of BBQ — and the Willingham vision that a family that cooks together (as they play together) stays together.
Still cooking. Still winning. Still counting.