From Montana Roots to Bold Flavor
Every great brand starts with a story, and Timmy’s Pastime began with a passion for barbecue, smoking, and creating unforgettable flavor.
Founder Timothy Paulson was born in Missoula and raised in Poplar, Montana, where hard work, family values, and good food were simply part of life. Growing up in Montana meant spending time outdoors, gathering with family and friends, and appreciating the kind of food that brings people together. Those early experiences would eventually inspire the foundation of Timmy’s Pastime years later.
In 1985, Tim joined the National Guard and proudly served five years active duty. The discipline, dedication, and work ethic he developed during his service stayed with him long after returning home. As life moved forward, Tim built a successful career in computer and information technology, eventually relocating to Bismarck, North Dakota, where he still resides today.
But outside of work, Tim always had another passion — barbecue and smoking.
A Passion That Started in the Backyard
What began as a hobby quickly became an obsession with flavor. Tim spent years experimenting with smoking techniques, seasonings, wood blends, and recipes in his backyard smoker. Friends and family became the first taste testers, and it didn’t take long before people started asking for more.
Unlike ordinary snacks, Tim wanted to create something bold, unique, and packed with authentic smokehouse flavor. That vision eventually led him to pistachios — a snack that paired perfectly with the rich smoky flavors he had spent years mastering.
After countless batches and recipe refinements, Tim created the signature flavors that would become the foundation of Timmy’s Pastime.
Turning a Hobby Into a Business
Like many small businesses, Timmy’s Pastime started with a simple idea and a lot of hard work. What began as homemade smoked pistachios shared with friends slowly turned into local demand, retail opportunities, and growing recognition from customers looking for something different.
People loved the bold flavor, handcrafted quality, and authentic smoky taste that stood out from ordinary snacks on store shelves. Word spread quickly, and before long, Timmy’s Pastime was expanding into more stores across the region.
What makes the story even more special is that the brand never lost sight of its roots. Even as the company grew, the mission stayed simple: create premium smoked snacks with real flavor and genuine craftsmanship behind every bag.
Growing Across the Country
Today, Timmy’s Pastime products can be found in over 2,000 stores and counting across the United States. From grocery stores and convenience stores to liquor stores, hardware stores, and specialty retailers, the brand continues to grow while reaching new customers every day.
What started in a backyard smoker has become a fast-growing snack brand built on passion, persistence, and quality. Yet despite the growth, Tim still approaches the business the same way he approached those first batches years ago — focusing on flavor first.
More Than Just Pistachios
For Tim, Timmy’s Pastime has always been about more than snacks. It’s about bringing people together, sharing great flavor, and creating something people genuinely enjoy. Whether it’s around a backyard grill, at a family gathering, on a road trip, or watching the big game, Timmy’s Pastime is meant to be part of the moments people remember.
The journey from Montana roots to store shelves nationwide is proof that sometimes the best ideas begin as a simple pastime.