Michael Shank

Better Brands, Inc.

It began with a vision and a 7,000 square foot warehouse. In 1965, years before the golf and condo boom propelled the Grand Strand into one of the hottest year-round resorts in the nation, John T. Stanko sensed the Strand's imminent growth. Recognizing the area's potential, Mr. Stanko set out to build a Myrtle Beach-based wholesale beverage distribution operation company which would be not only the best beverage distribution operation in the local market area, but also one of the best in the country. Today, nearly 40 years later, John Stanko's dream is a reality. Better Brands Inc. stands as one of the strongest corporate success stories along the Grand Strand and one of the finest Anheuser-Busch distributorships in the country. It was in those early years that John Stanko hired a route salesman named William "Spud" Spadoni, who quickly worked his way up in the company, winning Mr. Stanko's respect and confidence. With John Stanko's retirement in 1974, Mr. Spud Spadoni became the new president and owner of Better Brands, Inc. Under his new leadership, Better Brands has grown dramatically, while still maintaining a clear focus on John Stanko's founding principles and philosophy.