About Us

Brand History

Open Pit ® was introduced in Detroit in 1953 as a classic tangy BBQ sauce to liven up family meals. Over the past few decades, Open Pit has expanded throughout the Midwest where it has become a family favorite and market leader.

Open Pit’s specialty has always been its unique robust and tangy flavor profile that has been a perfect complement for ribs, chicken and steaks.

The Open Pit heritage really rests in the tradition passed through generations of families that have used Open Pit for their backyard BBQs. Its unique blend of spices and tang is perfect for doctoring up with special ingredients so that you are boss of that secret recipe... Mom in the kitchen adding all of her special ingredients to Open Pit BBQ Sauce to make the special flavor her family loves. Dad and Grandpa sit in the backyard with the grill to cook up some delicious chicken, ribs, steak and the like... just right. And while they are at it, slathering the chicken and ribs with extra sauce from Mom’s special Open Pit recipe... delicious.

Some like to use Open Pit BBQ Sauce right out of the bottle. In 1986, Open Pit made this easier with a new Thick & Tangy formula for better cling to all kinds of delicious foods. In 2006, Open Pit changed all of its packing to be in plastic bottles for the convenience of consumers in storing and using Open Pit every day. And today... families from Detroit, Chicago, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and all over the Midwest continue to be the boss of their BBQ with Open Pit BBQ Sauce.