On December 29, 2023, Travis Stoliker announced on his Year of the Opposite Substack that he had sold all of his shares in Saddleback BBQ and Slice by Saddleback to co-owner Matt Gillett, effective December 27, 2023. The transaction included properties and LLC ownership, marking the end of Stoliker's decade-long run as co-owner of the award-winning Lansing-area restaurant brand.
Stoliker expressed mixed emotions about the transition, noting that Saddleback had achieved profitability every year despite operating in one of the most notoriously challenging industries. He credited Gillett's extraordinary work ethic — describing how Gillett "worked 12 hour days 14 days in a row" and made extraordinary personal sacrifices to build the business — as the engine behind its success.
During his tenure, Saddleback BBQ won Best BBQ in Michigan, Small Business of the Year, and was named among America's best sandwiches by Food Network. The restaurant also became known for community impact: clearing student lunch debts at Mason School District twice and providing meals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his announcement, Stoliker stated: "I'm stepping back not to distance myself, but to see these ventures thrive further." He said his focus was shifting fully to his newsletter and podcast "Year of the Opposite" and plans to share restaurant industry insights and personal entrepreneurial stories.
Gillett credited Stoliker for teaching him about systems, processes, and scaling, calling him "instrumental to the company's success and brand development in the Lansing area."