Lillie’s Q Sauces and Rubs, LLC is a renowned purveyor of premium barbecue products, dedicated to delivering exceptional flavors and quality to barbecue enthusiasts worldwide. With a strong commitment to authenticity and passion for the craft, the Chicago-based company continues to set the standard for excellence in the world of barbecue.

Since 2015, Lillie’s Q has partnered with Food Export–Midwest to grow its export business. Over the past nine years, the company has participated in the MAP-funded Branded Program, Buyers Missions, Food Show PLUS!™ events, webinars, and the Online Product Catalog—sharing numerous stories of export growth along the way.

In October 2023, Lillie’s Q joined Food Export’s Food Show PLUS!™ at Anuga, where the services provided helped connect the supplier with a buyer from Germany. As a result, the company secured a $15,000 sale and projected an additional $60,000 in sales over the following twelve months.

“Food Export–Midwest’s funding allows us to participate in events like Anuga, connecting with buyers from all over the world. Our international presence continues to increase as a result of these programs. With Food Export’s support, we’ve also been able to bring new products to global markets more quickly,” said Brian Golinvaux, President and Co-Founder of Lillie’s Q.

In 2024, Lillie’s Q participated in the Branded Program for the ninth consecutive year, using allocated funding to promote its products in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, and the United Arab Emirates. With support from the program, the company completed advertising campaigns, product demonstrations, digital marketing initiatives, sample shipments, packaging modifications, website development, and international trade show exhibitions.

These efforts helped Lillie’s Q achieve over $350,000 in sales across six international markets, gain 91 new foreign buyer contacts, and establish 12 new distributorships.

Looking ahead, Lillie’s Q is already contracted to participate in the 2025 Branded Program, with plans to expand its reach in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands. Food Export looks forward to supporting their continued global success.

Food Export uses funding from the Market Access Program (MAP) to help America’s small businesses increase their exports of food and agricultural products. As these exports increase, these small businesses are creating jobs and improving the strength and stability of our agricultural economy. Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast are non-profit organizations that work in collaboration with their member state departments of agriculture and the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. They offer a wide range of programs and services that help boost America’s agricultural exports.