Each week the Free Press profiles a locally-owned business that has used the services of the Business Incubator Center, the Grand Valley's center for entrepreneurship.

The sauces they served in their two restaurants were so popular that Steve and Ann Danner, with the help of daughter and son-in-law Melody and Brian Pollock, decided to start marketing them on the side.

The restaurant was already known for a dozen sauces when the Danners bought Rooster's, a Clifton restaurant, in 2002. Two years later they added another restaurant — same menu, slightly different name — Fly'n Roosters at 200 W. Grand Ave. (First and Grand). They not only expanded the menu, they added more sauces. There's currently 20 on the menu, and they're always creating new recipes. They also make a shake and rub spice, good for meat and other things like popcorn, Danner said.

Melody Pollock said the most unusual sauce, and her favorite is one called Sunami, a tangy teriyaki made with wasabe.

Traditionally, the sauces get their heat from the red pepper ingredient, but the horseradish is what gives the Sunami its heat, Pollock said.

One of the most popular sauces is one called Warrior, known for its hot mustard-based sauce.

Roosters and Fly'n Roosters serve a wide variety of sandwiches including BLTs, clubs, a fresh-ground beef burger, and vegetarian options.

“We're known for our wings because of the sauces,” Danner said. “But one of our slogans is ‘we're more than just wings.'”

Besides dipping, the sauces are used for marinating ribs and chicken cooked at the restaurant.

“Because our sauces are so popular and unique we started researching how to bottle it — that's when we became involved with the Business Incubator,” Danner said. “The networking was important for starting this third business.”

The Business Incubator Center, 2591 B 3/4 Road, assists new and expanding businesses in Mesa County with low-cost business classes, free consulting and affordable rental space, including a commercial kitchen.

Melody and Brain Pollock use that kitchen for making their sauces.

The family also has learned marketing research, and what's involved with selling their product on a wider basis — such as purchasing bar codes.

“It's quite an extensive process,” Danner said.

The bottled sauces have been available at the restaurants since April. They were also sold at the Farmers Market over the summer. The family hopes by Christmas to make the sauces available via the Internet.

Being associated with the Incubator has been a good networking opportunity, Pollock said.

“There's really a good community environment there,” Pollock said. “Everyone wants everybody to succeed. We're all small business owners.”

Earlier this month Danner and Pollock attended an all-day entrepreneurship event held at the Two Rivers Convention Center.

The second annual Colorado Entrepreneurship MarketPlace was sponsored by the Incubator and the Colorado Rural Development Council.

Various speakers addressed issues like finance, marketing, business development, technology, and community development.

“Each one was very informative,” Danner said.

Reach Sharon Sullivan at ssullivan@gjfreepress.com.