From Marine to Franchise Owner: Why Drew St. Cyr Is Bringing Wild Bill’s to San Diego

July 22, 2026

For Drew St. Cyr, franchise ownership is less a career change and more the next logical step in the evolution of his life and career. After nearly 10 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and six years helping execute and refine event operations across the country for Wild Bill’s Craft Beverage Co., St. Cyr has signed to bring the brand to San Diego, a market he knows personally and believes is strategically positioned for growth. His journey reflects the kind of credibility that comes from working inside a system before choosing to invest in it. Leadership Forged in the Marine Corps St. Cyr spent close to a decade in the Marine Corps, where early responsibility and high expectations shaped his leadership mindset. He describes that experience as foundational to his approach to business today. “In the Marine Corps, you’re expected to do an awful lot without a lot. It puts you in a leadership scenario at a much younger age compared to those who go the traditional college and corporate-work route. It forces you to really hone in on your leadership characteristics and traits. For me personally, it put me in a position of leadership at a very young age with a multitude of different types of people,” he said. “The common theme is, improvise, adapt and overcome. It may not be perfect, but you’re going to find a way to execute.” That discipline translated naturally into event-based operations, where no two weekends look the same but execution remains consistent. With clear standard operating procedures and support built for on-site realities, Wild Bill’s gives owners a repeatable playbook for managing crowds, timelines and quick pivots. Learning the System From the Inside St. Cyr’s introduction to Wild Bill’s came through a veterans' reunion he co-founded. When another supplier failed to deliver custom tumblers just weeks before the event, Wild Bill’s stepped in and delivered on short notice, setting up at the reunion and serving attendees. The experience sparked a deeper connection. Within weeks, St. Cyr flew to Texas to work his first event. What he saw convinced him the model had scale. “Honestly, probably one of the smallest events I’ve done in my time with Wild Bill’s, but to see what the business could do there — it’s such a small event — made my eyes get big about the opportunities that were out there with much larger events,” he said. “That’s when it was kind of hook, line and sinker from that point forward.” He eventually stepped into a general manager role in one of the brand’s most established territories, overseeing logistics, staffing and execution across multiple markets. Over six years, he worked virtually every operational role within the system, gaining an understanding of pack-outs, standard operating procedures and franchisee support that most new owners never see before signing an agreement. “As far as operations and logistics, I know the company like the back of my hand. I’ve done every single aspect of the operations role. I’ll be the first one to roll up my sleeves. There’s no job that’s beneath me,” he said. “That background gives me confidence stepping into ownership because I know what it takes to execute at a high level.” Wild Bill’s event-based model offers the flexibility that appeals to owner-operators who want control over their schedules while scaling at their own pace. With a recognizable brand built around collectible mugs and a repeat-driven product experience, franchisees benefit from built-in consumer demand. Behind the scenes, standardized pack-outs, clear operating procedures and hands-on franchise support create a structure that operators — particularly veterans accustomed to mission clarity — can plug into and execute with confidence. Why San Diego Is the Right Fit San Diego represents both a strategic and personal decision. St. Cyr spent 12 years stationed at Camp Pendleton, and his wife grew up in nearby Orange County. The family plans to relocate back to Southern California, and he sees the region as an ideal market for Wild Bill’s event-driven model. “The business is there. There are events almost year-round. The weather is very favorable,” he said. “I’ve been all across the world, in almost every major city in the United States, and I’ve never been to any place with such a melting pot of people. They seem to get along there better than they get along anywhere else I’ve been.” That diversity, combined with a dense calendar of festivals, fairs and community events, creates a strong foundation for an owner-operator model built on visibility and engagement. Leading From the Front St. Cyr’s approach to ownership will mirror the leadership philosophy he developed in the Marines and refined in operations: be present, be accountable and do the work alongside your team. “It’s the people. You’ve got to have good people that you believe in, and who believe in what you’re doing,” he said. “To be a leader in this business, you need to be willing to do every aspect of the job. Events move fast, and operators have to be ready to respond in the moment. The more that any employee can look at the leaders and know — without asking — that they are going to jump in and help when necessary, it goes a really long way.” In the short term, St. Cyr plans to be heavily hands-on, staffing as many events as possible himself while leveraging a network of trusted former team members in the San Diego area. Over time, he expects to step back strategically while maintaining operational oversight. “In the long term, I need to be a little bit removed from the day-to-day so that I can make sure everything is running smoothly across the board,” he said. “The numbers don’t lie. It’s all about the work you put in. You will be as successful as you are willing to work.” After years of supporting franchisees from the corporate side, St. Cyr now has the opportunity to build something of his own within the system he helped strengthen. For him, ownership is not a leap into the unknown. It is the continuation of a mission — one rooted in discipline, operational excellence and a belief that effort and leadership drive results. To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/wild-bills.