Our Story
BBQ RESCUE was born from a father's promise.
Years ago, I found myself raising five young children on my own. My youngest was only five weeks old, and my other children were 1, 3, 6, and 8 years old. After experiencing abuse and neglect, our family was given the opportunity to start over and rebuild our lives together.
Those years were not easy. Like many single parents, I worked hard to provide stability and security for my children. While raising five children, I continued my education, earning a Bachelor's degree, two Master's degrees, and eventually pursuing my Doctorate. Every step forward was taken with one purpose in mind: creating a better future for my family.
One of the most significant moments in my life came during our first Christmas together as a family. After putting the children to bed, I sat alone on the couch looking at a Christmas tree with very little underneath it. I remember feeling the weight of responsibility and wondering how I was going to make everything work. That night, I made a promise to myself. I promised that my children would never go without because I failed to give everything I had. I promised that I would continue working, learning, growing, and fighting for a better future for them no matter how difficult the journey became.
During those years, barbecue became more than a hobby. What started as cooking for family and friends became a way to earn extra income and help provide for my children. Barbecue brought people together, created memories, and gave me another way to support my family while doing something I loved. Over time, that passion grew into BBQ RESCUE.
As a retired United States Air Force firefighter and current Assistant Fire Chief, service has always been at the center of my life. The name BBQ RESCUE reflects that mission. It represents perseverance, family, service, and the belief that difficult circumstances do not define our future. Today, the children who inspired BBQ RESCUE are growing into remarkable young adults. What began as a means of survival has become a family business, a community mission, and a dream far bigger than I ever imagined.
But our story does not end with us. Because of our family's experiences, BBQ RESCUE is committed to giving back. A portion of our proceeds will support organizations such as ChildSafe that work to protect children affected by abuse and neglect. We believe every child deserves safety, hope, opportunity, and the chance to thrive.
Every bottle of sauce and every seasoning blend represents more than great Texas barbecue. It represents faith, resilience, family, and the belief that even the hardest chapters in life can become the foundation for something meaningful.
The Meaning Behind the Number 5
Many people notice the number "5" throughout the BBQ RESCUE brand, but few know the story behind it. The number 5 represents my five children, the reason this journey began, and the foundation of everything I have built. Every time you see the number 5 within the BBQ RESCUE brand, it serves as a reminder of the family that inspired it.
The first photo was taken during Christmas 2012. At the time, life was difficult. The Christmas tree had been found on the side of the road. There were very few ornaments, and there were no presents underneath it. As a single father raising five young children, I was doing everything I could to keep food on the table and a roof over our heads.
The second photo was taken in front of our church just two years later, in 2014. It serves as a reminder that even when times are hard, perseverance, faith, and determination can change the course of a family's future.
For me, the number 5 is more than a design element within a logo. It represents family, sacrifice, resilience, purpose, and hope. It is a daily reminder of where we started, how far we have come, and why BBQ RESCUE exists. Today, every bottle of sauce, every rub, every catered meal, and every event carries that story forward.
Where We Are Today 2026
Fourteen years after that first Christmas picture, these are my five children today. I didn't want a professional picture for this. I wanted a picture of us just being us, together at home, wearing our BBQ RESCUE shirts in front of our new smoker.
A lot has changed since that Christmas in 2012. Isabel is serving in the United States Air Force, RJ is in college, Maximus is getting ready to leave for Air Force Basic Military Training, and Logan and Jesse are in high school. As their dad, I could not be more proud of the young men and woman they have become.
When I look at the old pictures and then look at these, it means more to me than I can put into words. There were some very hard years getting here, but we got through them together. These five kids were my reason then, and they are still my reason today. They are why the number 5 will always be part of BBQ RESCUE.
Five children. One family. The reason it all began.
Thank you for being part of our story.
Ricardo J. Campos
Founder, BBQ RESCUE
Oak Smoke • Texas True • Firehouse Strong
Turning Our Story Into Something More
ChildSafe holds a special place in my heart because they were there for my children and me during a difficult time in our lives. The support they gave my family is something I have never forgotten, and it is the reason I chose ChildSafe as the organization for BBQ RESCUE to support.
Today, Big C’s BBQ RESCUE is proud to partner with ChildSafe and donate 5% of every product sale to support the work they do for children and families affected by abuse and neglect. ChildSafe has also created a donation page specifically for BBQ RESCUE.
Every donation made through our page is connected to BBQ RESCUE, allowing us to see how much our customers, friends, family, and community come together to support ChildSafe. Every bottle purchased and every donation made helps ChildSafe continue being there for children and families who need them.
If you would like to help us give even more, click the ChildSafe logo above to make a direct donation to ChildSafe.
