Helping Veterans Thrive Through Wild Bill’s Franchise with Michael Quilty, USNA ’88
Jan 12, 2026
“Franchising gives veterans a chance to own something, to build something and to do it with a playbook.” – Michael Quilty, USNA ’88
Michael Quilty (USNA ’88) is a Navy veteran and franchise development leader who’s built his career around creating opportunities for others. After years leading growth and strategy across multiple industries, he’s now focused on helping fellow veterans transition to entrepreneurship through franchising.
At Wild Bill’s, he plays a key role in growing the company’s franchise footprint, and expanding the presence of their nostalgic craft soda brand across the country. Michael’s work focuses on identifying the right partners, particularly military veterans for opportunities that combine operational excellence with community engagement. His leadership is driven by purpose: helping others succeed while scaling a mission-led business.
In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Michael about:
The Wild Bill’s Franchise Model: A turnkey opportunity centered on events, nostalgia, and customer engagement
Veteran Empowerment: How franchising provides a path to ownership and autonomy after military service.
Business Expansion: The challenges and rewards of scaling a product-driven brand through national events and local franchises.
Leadership and Mindset: Why teamwork, resilience, and adaptability matter most in business.
Looking Ahead: The future of Wild Bill’s and how others can get involved.
Timestamps:
00:26 Surviving the COVID-19 Pandemic
04:43 The Origin Story of Wild Bill’s Soda
07:40 The Business Model and Franchise Expansion
12:23 A Day in the Life of a Franchisee
18:00 Future Goals and Opportunities
28:18 Conclusion and Contact InformationConnect with Michael:
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A special thank you to Michael for joining me this week. Until next time!
-Scott Mackes, USNA ’01