MudMan opens second burger joint in Columbia Falls

MudMan Burgers in Columbia Falls recently had its soft opening at the former A & W restaurant along U.S. 2, and to say it was a success is an understatement.

“It was the soft opening, but that did not stop the public from breaking down the door,” manager Jordan Cole said.

The first two nights saw over 150 burgers served each night, while over 200 were served the third night the new eatery was open. During its first few days, MudMan was open only at dinner time, from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday saw the restaurant’s first lunch shift.

MudMan differs from the average burger joint in that it is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. The restaurant, along with a drive-through location in Happy Valley, is an extension of Whitefish-based Potter’s Field Ministries.

In fact, the name “MudMan” is a slang term for “potter.”

They also call the chili on the burgers “mud.”

The restaurant is staffed with Potter’s Field interns.

All proceeds, everything over the cost of salaries and overhead, is directed back into the ministry as non-designated funding, Cole explained.

“They’re able to put it toward needs not covered by the sponsorship program,” Cole said. “It allows us to do more in all.”

Some of the profits will be directed toward international mission trips, while some is directed to Potter Field Ministries efforts a little closer to home, in Browning, including help for the foster-care program and a horse program during the summer, Cole said.

“When [the ministry] sees a need, they’re able to meet it,” thanks to the non-designated funding generated by MudMan.

Cole has been involved with Potter for five years.

“I was one of the first interns to come back from the Ignite Program,” he said.

Cole is now on staff and oversees returning interns.

The most rewarding part for Cole is simply serving.

“When I went to Kenya, you give and you understand that you get nothing back, but you get to love on kids. It’s fulfilling, and there’s an eternal reward attached,” he said. “How cool is it that, even if I’m not actually hugging a child, as the community partakes in a good burger, I’m still hugging a child?”

The idea to sell burgers and coffee to help fund mission work is the brainchild of Potter’s Field Ministries director Michael Rozell. Rozell drew on his background long ago in the restaurant industry to develop the MudMan business model. He was an in-flight executive chef for Regent Airways before delving into mission work full time well over two decades ago.

Rozell and his wife Pam, a Christian concert artist and songwriter, put $2,800 into the MudMan start-up with a blessing and support from the Potter’s Field board of directors.