Co-op West Main • Tuesday-8 am - 9 pm
Co-op West Main • Tuesday-8 am - 9 pm
Co-op Downtown • Tuesday-9 am - 8 pm
Some of the best local connections start in the most unexpected places — like floating the river on a summer day.
That’s how one of our Co-op employees first crossed paths with Chris McGee, owner of Maddie McGee’s Mountain Munchies.
While out on the water, Chris floated by and casually tossed over a bag of dog treats — just a friendly gesture between neighbors. That’s really who Chris is. Friendly, outgoing, always looking to connect with people wherever he goes.
Chris is the founder, face, and hands-on heart behind Maddie McGee's Mountain Munchies, a Bozeman-based business making dog treats that pups love. His treats are made with 100% Montana-sourced ingredients.
Before launching Maddie McGee’s full time, Chris owned a local food truck in town called Electric Poke for two and a half years. During that time, he found himself throwing away a lot of salmon skins. Instead of letting them go to waste, Chris got creative — he decided to try turning the leftover salmon skins into dog treats.
That idea quickly grew.
Chris had also been buying beef from Wickens Ranch, a family-owned regenerative ranch in Winifred, Montana, for his poke bowls. When he asked if he could buy their beef organs to use in his dog treats, Wickens Ranch was all in. Turns out, they usually paid to dispose of those parts — so it became a win-win for both of them and for the environment.
"Being zero-waste, sustainable, those things are all great. But knowing I'm helping out farmers and ranchers and connecting to my community — shaking their hand as the face that does it all behind Maddie McGee’s — that means something to me," Chris says.
What started as a small way to reduce food waste soon became something bigger.
Chris isn’t just the owner — he’s the one sourcing, processing, packaging, shipping, and marketing the product.
He’s built a business where he knows every rancher, every farm, and every handshake.
"People know me as the one who sources, processes, ships, and markets the product. We’re in complete control of everything, and that really sets us apart from other businesses." Because he handles every step of the process, Chris is able to keep his prices fair for customers while maintaining the quality and integrity of his treats.
Chris built this business from the ground up, starting in his garage (where, let’s just say, his wife wasn’t exactly thrilled about the lingering salmon skin smell). These days, Maddie McGee’s has its own space in Bozeman and is quickly growing, with 20 new product lines on the way — including bison, chicken, pig, lamb, quail, and more.
The treats are freeze-dried to lock in nutrition, maintain their cellular structure, and create a long shelf life.
While the listed expiration is two years, Chris notes that they can actually last up to 25 years.
He’s even invested in specialized equipment — like a chopping machine — to help process large amounts of beef organs efficiently. A typical day for Chris can include processing 400 pounds of beef organs or making 40 sales calls.
But as he jokes, “There’s always time for a beer.”
Looking ahead, Chris is excited to grow and eventually employ more people in Bozeman. Creating jobs for his community is part of his long-term vision.
Even as the business expands, Chris keeps it local. You won’t find his treats at Petco or PetSmart. His heart is in independent shops, small businesses, and the Bozeman community that’s been behind him from the start.
Chris has always been about building relationships. Whether it’s floating the river, chatting with fellow pet owners, or stopping by to support other local businesses, he shows up for his community.
His daughter, Maddie — yes, the Maddie in Maddie McGee’s — loves to help, too. She proudly wears her Maddie McGee’s gear and often joins her dad to pass out treats around town. Even their family dog, Gumbo (a happy little mutt), plays his part as the official taste tester.
Before all this, Chris worked as a nurse for 12 years and spent time running the food truck — but nothing felt quite right until now.
"I’ve never enjoyed my work like I do now. I’m building a business I actually want to live in," he says.
When he’s not working, you can find Chris floating the river with his family and friends, skiing at Bridger Bowl, or enjoying a beer at Outlaw Brewing. He’s a true community guy, both on and off the clock.
You can find Chris’s dog treats at both Co-op locations and independent shops around Bozeman. And with so many new product lines in the works, it’s a great time to support this growing local business.
If you ever find yourself floating the river and someone hands you a bag of dog treats — you might just be floating next to Chris.
Family-owned, Bozeman-made
Freeze-dried, single-ingredient dog treats
Naturally zero-waste and sustainability-driven
Supports Montana ranchers and independent shops
Built on real community connections
When you pick up a bag of Maddie McGee’s, you’re supporting a Bozeman family, Montana ranchers, and a small business that’s all about people, good food, and showing up for their community.
P.S. Local means better, for your dog too.
We are an independent, community-owned grocery store with two locations in Bozeman, Montana.
