MudMan Burgers no ordinary burger joint

MudMan Burgers in Columbia Falls recently had its soft opening, 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,” said manager Jordan Cole.

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 5-9 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 towards needs not covered by the sponsorship program,” Cole said. “It allows us to do more in all.”

Some of the profits will be directed towards 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 now.

“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?” recently