One local company scored a figurative golden ticket from Walmart's most recent Open Call event in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Pyramid Foods LLC, the Shawnee-based maker of Pitmaster LT's Classic Bar-B-Que Sauce, is steps away from getting its products on the shelves of Walmart and Sam's Club stores, according to a spokeswoman for the retail giant.
Founded in 2016, Pyramid Foods offers sauces and dry rubs under the brand Pitmaster LT's. The minority- and veteran-owned business is led by owner and President Luther Tooks.
According to the company's website, its products are already available at Fareway Meat Market, Hen House, Hy-Vee, Price Chopper, Sun Fresh Market and Whole Foods Market, among others.
This year's Open Call featured more than 1,100 companies pitching their wares to Walmart buyers as part of the retailer's initiative to invest more in U.S. manufactured products. The Open Call now is in its ninth year.
Open Call is Walmart's largest sourcing event. More than 4,500 entrepreneurs applied this year, but only 330 businesses were chosen to be sold in Walmart stores, online at Walmart.com or on Walmart's Marketplace.
Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) serves approximately 230 million customers and members each week.
