The truth about Royal Oak & Walmart

[CaptGrumpy]

I just got off the phone with Dale @ Royal Oak and spent a little time getting the truth over a few matters about the internet rumors that are completely false.
Royal Oak & Walmart are not parting ways and are in fact having a healthy relationship. The Royal Oak Hardwood Lump has been in greater demand than ever before and that is why some Walmarts are temporarily out of stock but will be getting refilled as fast as Royal Oak can supply product. The story about the dispute over paying for shelf space in the store as well as in the warehouses is FALSE.
Dale was shocked about the rumor but I told him it is probably one of the best marketing gigs to boost sales for their product.
Royal Oak also has been bagging their briquettes for Ace hardware in the Ace brand bag for years and will continue doing so. This is nothing new.
Royal Oak is also expanding it's retail market sources so that is why it is showing up in new retail locations around any given area.
It is nice to now have a connection at Royal Oak as well as Lazzari. BTW Lazzari carries the Royal Oak Briquettes for their commercial customers (Restaurants & Restaurant Suppliers) so I do not see any problems with this company closing it's doors.
Their website has been a PITA so they let it fold. Don't think because they chose not to spend money on a web site that they are hurting for cash.
I have been assured that you will be able to continue to get Royal Oak at your walmart store and if they don't have it, ask a store manager to get it in for you. I just saw a Walmart commercial a couple of days ago that had a Royal Oak BBQ on it with RO Product in the scene so That should tell you that their relationship is rock solid.

This is brought to you by my version of Snopes. Easy as just picking up the phone!:icon_cool

If your Walmart decides to push Kingsford and stop selling RO then ask for a store manager and request that he starts carrying the RO Lump or you will complain to Walmart Corp. and call and complain to Royal Oak.
Royal Oak
( 678 ) 461-3200

 

[jtfisher63]

Awesome, thanks for doing the leg work here. Speaking of Lazzari....!?:-D

 

[Smokin Gator]

I hope you are right... Until today all I knew was what I had read. That coupled with the shortage at my local WalMart led me to believe the rumors were true. Then today I was at the next closest WalMart and the guy there told me straight up they were not getting anymore and that Kingsford had put the pressure on WalMart to carry only K as a national brand. I bought all they had and now have a stash of about 30 bags. That should last me a while!!!

 

[gpalasz]

Thanks for the clarification...I went to my Wally yest, sure enough they had a fresh load, last week they were empty, first time I ever seen that. I usually by Ozark lump but...its good to know kinsford is not taking over.

 

[bowhnter]

Cool, cuz I didn't stock up on nearly enough.
Last time I was there though, it was in the back corner with the outdoor dept, while K and some others were out front in the main store shelves. At least I found it.

 

[CaptGrumpy]

Kingsford may be behind the rumor but whoever it is, it has backfired and Royal oak product at Walmart is selling like hotcakes. If they were dropping RO or the other way around there would be a price reduction for a close out sale.
Think about it! Hmmmmmm!

 

[CaptGrumpy]

Cool, cuz I didn't stock up on nearly enough.
Last time I was there though, it was in the back corner with the outdoor dept, while K and some others were out front in the main store shelves. At least I found it.

Kingsford might have paid a premium to Walmart for endcap dissplays in prime spots in the stores but RO is supposed to be the national brand for walmart. I have not seen any TV ads with walmart spoutting Kingsford,,, just Royal Oak! Hmmmm!

 

[HB-BBQ]

This is great news thank you for doing the research for us Capn.

 

[pigmaker23]

Rancher

My Travels in the recent week have included stops at Home Depot in NY, NJ,Ct and MA, at all of the stores they now have Rancher Lump on display for $6.49 Bag.. on a side note, Restaurant Depot carrys Royal Oak also

 

[bowhnter]

My Travels in the recent week have included stops at Home Depot in NY, NJ,Ct and MA, at all of the stores they now have Rancher Lump on display for $6.49 Bag.. on a side note, Restaurant Depot carrys Royal Oak also

...has anyone used it? It sure doesn't have the same appeal as the briquettes had at 2.99 or less....

 

[Forney]

Just got home from Walmart and they had RO in a big display at $5.98 a bag.

 

[BowtieBill]

My Travels in the recent week have included stops at Home Depot in NY, NJ,Ct and MA, at all of the stores they now have Rancher Lump on display for $6.49 Bag.. on a side note, Restaurant Depot carrys Royal Oak also

Are you sure it is Rancher Lump and not Cowboy Lump? That is what I see out here.
Used it once, will not use Cowboy Lump ever again.

 

[mbshop]

well, taking yer word for it, thats good news. knowing this i will ask my walmart manager about it as they have not carried it for three years. at least that means that the sams choice tha ro makes for them will still be on shelves. thanks for the info.

 

[CaptGrumpy]

well, taking yer word for it, thats good news. knowing this i will ask my walmart manager about it as they have not carried it for three years. at least that means that the sams choice tha ro makes for them will still be on shelves. thanks for the info.

Talk to THE store manager and tell him to get it in or you will be forced to complain to Walmart Corp. about not being able to get their national brand product. There are several ways to skin a cat and this will get the job done.
A regional manager won't put up with those shenanigans from a store manager.
Call Royal Oak and complain as well. I listed their number.

 

[Bigmista]

Just got home from Walmart and they had RO in a big display at $5.98 a bag.

What size bag? I'm going to Restaurant depot tomorrow morning and I need to compare prices.

 

[BBQ Grail]

Actually Walmart is going out of business...

 

[swamprb]

OK- How about dispelling the rumour about Royal Oak going out of business and its relationship with Big Green Egg lump?

 

[bowhnter]

Actually Walmart is going out of business...

:biggrin:

 

[CaptGrumpy]

OK- How about dispelling the rumour about Royal Oak going out of business and its relationship with Big Green Egg lump?

I know that Royal Oak is not going out of business. They very well may be the actual BGE Lump supplier but don't quote me on that because then we would have another rumor running amuck on the internet like a California Wildfire! It is a WAG (wild azz guess) that the two are so close and yet would BGE start their own lump company or just contract with RO with tight QC on the product. RO seems to have very nice product for their 10 pound bags and I don't see any difference in the amount of left over fines.
Me thinks me will be calling dale back tomorrow on this theory.
I think I should start my own episode of Myth Busters!!!

 

[BowtieBill]

What size bag? I'm going to Restaurant depot tomorrow morning and I need to compare prices.

I believe that is the 10lb bags, Neil. That is what I paid for the 10 lb'ers a few days ago.