Overview:
Billionaire owned Heartland Coca-Cola
Ulysses “Junior” Bridgeman, a gifted athlete and entrepreneur whose St. Louis area-based business helped take him to billionaire status, died Tuesday March 11, 2025, in Louisville at 71 after suffering a medical emergency at the famed Galt House Hotel during a fundraising event.
Bridgeman played for Louisville under coach Denny Crum and reached the NCAA Tournament Final Four in 1975 before being drafted to the NBA by the Milwaukee Bucks.
His entrepreneurial endeavors included restaurant franchises and the Heartland Coca-Cola bottling operation, which is headquartered in St. Charles, Mo.
Bridgeman was also owner of Ebony and Jet magazines, which are now online publications.
Entrepreneur Jimmy Williams and his wife, Janet, issued this statement following Bridgeman’s death.
“Junior Bridgeman was one of the most remarkable, humble and successful entrepreneurs that I’ve known.”
“We became fast friends when we hosted him at our home, along with Orv Kimbrough. But he was an even better human being, who leveraged his NBA career into an extraordinary life and career. He will be sorely missed. “
Williams, who hails from East St. Louis, Illinois, is a McDonald’s owner and operator who recently opened his 26th store over a period of 26 years.
According to Heartland, Bridgeman became a Coca-Cola bottling partner in April 2016. During the NBA off season, he volunteered at local basketball clinics sponsored by Coke and continued philanthropic endeavors throughout his life.
Bridgeman retired from the NBA in 1987 and would soon purchase three Wendy’s franchises. In addition to ownership, [if there was a job to be done at his franchises] he pitched in and assisted. Eventually, he bought more franchises in Wisconsin, Kentucky, Tennessee and Florida.
He later founded Manna Inc., in Louisville and would become one of the largest restaurant franchise operators in the country.
Bridgeman founded Heartland Coca-Cola Bottling Company on February 25, 2017. The company services the Kansas, Missouri, and Southern Illinois territories.
Bridgeman is survived by his wife Doris Bridgeman, a benefactor and business partner of her husband, and three children: Eden Bridgeman Sklenar, Ryan Bridgeman and Justin Bridgeman.
I’M SO SORRY FOR THE LOSS OF UR HUSBAND & FATHER. HE WAS A GREAT PLAYER & ALWAYS SEEMED LIKE A GOOD MAN. I KNOW HE WILL B GREATLY MISSED.
MAY GO WATCH OVER U & FAMILY.I
Sorry for your loss. I’ve worked for Wendy’s 15 years, under your organization, 11 years. Wonderful leadership and uses everything I’ve gained as motivation to move forward. I pray peace to your family.