Kettle Heroes, a small-batch artisan popcorn company based in Tempe, exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit and community dedication of its co-founders, Rudi and Aaron Sinykin. Their journey in the food industry began after college as Subway franchisees. However, in 2012, they made the bold decision to sell their stores and reinvest in concepts they believed could make a significant difference in their community. As Rudi recalls, “We were tired of being in a system where we felt like we weren’t really making a difference in the local Arizona community.”
In 2012, the Sinykin brothers started Devoted Guardians, a home care agency, with the goal of improving the lives of seniors and individuals with disabilities. Nine months later, they launched Kettle Heroes as a food truck at the weekly Gilbert farmers market. As their popularity grew, the Basha family—regulars at the farmers market—suggested in 2015 that they start selling packaged kettle corn at Bashas’ and AJ’s grocery stores. This opportunity led to rapid growth and the opening of a factory in Tempe in 2017 to meet demand. Kettle Heroes expanded from local grocery stores to national chains such as Whole Foods across the Greater Southwest and Midwest regions, with plans for future availability in Costco. With flavors inspired by the Southwest, Kettle Heroes has carved a niche in the market, offering a range of nine savory and sweet options: Original Sweet & Salt Kettle Corn, Sea Salted Caramel, Prickly Pear, Hatch Green Chile Cheddar, Aged White Cheddar, Guajillo Chile Lime, Porcini Truffle Cheddar, Cinnamon Sugar Churros, and Popcorn Zen.
The Sinykin brothers’ journey was not only inspired by a desire to create delicious snacks but also by a deep-rooted commitment to service. This commitment was not just a business decision but a personal one, rooted in their family’s history of military service. Their grandparents, as first-generation immigrants from Eastern Europe, served in the Second World War, while their father served in the Vietnam War before earning a law degree and practicing law. These experiences instilled in them a strong sense of duty and sacrifice, laying the foundation for their ethos of giving back to the community.
The name “Kettle Heroes” highlights the values that enabled their relatives to make a significant impact on their community. “We are about supporting everyday heroes; heroes put service before self,” affirms Rudi. This commitment led them to partner with the Pat Tillman Foundation. Pat Tillman, a graduate of Arizona State University and a professional football player for the Arizona Cardinals, left his sports career to enlist in the US Army following the September 11 attacks. After Tillman was tragically killed in Afghanistan by friendly fire, the Tillman Foundation was created by his wife and close friends to provide educational scholarships for higher learning beyond the college level. Spouses of service men and women are also eligible to apply.
Each Kettle Heroes bag features the story of a Tillman Scholar, showcasing their dedication to service and learning. This approach not only raises awareness but also contributes to the Foundation’s mission of supporting higher education. Since they began partnering with the Tillman Foundation, Kettle Heroes has consistently allocated a percentage of sales to the scholarship program, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to supporting veterans and their families.
Currently, each of their nine flavors highlights a select Tillman Scholar. Soon, they will implement a new approach where each bag—regardless of flavor—will feature a different scholar. This change will enable Kettle Heroes to celebrate and share the stories of more scholars. By rotating the stories on their packaging, they aim to engage customers more deeply and shine a spotlight on the unique contributions of each scholar. Rudi says, “Kettle Heroes is trying to celebrate the men and women that are putting the overall community before themselves. We just want to continue to tell their stories.”
written & photographed by: marci symington