In many backyards across America, a barbecue is not complete without baked beans. That means that, for the country’s largest canned bean company, Bush Brothers, nearly 40 million pounds are sold leading up to Memorial Day Weekend.

In fact, Knoxville, Tennessee-based Bush’s sells 80% of America’s canned baked beans, a feat that fourth-generation heir and chairman of Bush Brothers, Drew Everett, attributes to being “bean-focused” and not getting “distracted by other products.”

“Today we're still as committed to the bean as we ever have been,” says Everett, 56. “I love to be in the backyard grilling different types of meats that pair well with our baked beans. They play in a lot of iconic moments, particularly as we approach the summer with Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day cookouts and barbecues.”

Everett has quietly led Bush Brothers since 2015, as the 100% family-owned firm has grown into an estimated $1 billion (annual revenue) business. With Bush’s controlling more than a third of America’s overall canned bean market–selling canned chili starters as well as pinto beans, black beans, kidney beans, cannellini beans, chickpeas, and more to over 100,000 retailers—Everett wants to take the company from being known as America’s Baked Bean Company to just America’s Bean Company.

“We are achieving that,” says Everett during a rare interview. “It's still a journey for us.”

Market tailwinds are surely helping. Bush Brothers has found itself at the nexus of a perfect storm brewing at grocery stores. With meat prices rising, affordability has become a prime focus for upcoming midterm elections, and beans are inexpensive. Bush Brothers cans cost an average of $2.50 each. As the basis of a whole meal, they are high in protein and fiber, and low in cholesterol. The trifecta makes beans ideal for GLP-1 users as well as other........

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