4Patriots is a privately held American emergency-preparedness company headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded by Allen and Erin Baler in 2008, the company sells portable solar generators, emergency food, water-filtration equipment, survival gear and related preparedness products through direct-to-consumer ecommerce.
The company is best known for its Patriot Power generator lineup, but its catalog has expanded well beyond portable power. Today it covers long-term food storage, water filtration, off-grid cooking and refrigeration, emergency communications, lighting and preparedness education. The Patriot Power generator family remains the product line most consumers associate with the 4Patriots name, and it is also the product family with the longest traceable history in the company’s trademark records.
The company describes itself as promoting “freedom and self-reliance.” Its official terms identify 4Patriots, LLC as the operator of 4Patriots.com.
| Company | 4Patriots |
| Legal entity | 4Patriots, LLC |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Original company name | Reboot Marketing LLC |
| Founders | Allen Baler and Erin Baler |
| Headquarters | 2920 Berry Hill Dr., Suite 300, Nashville, TN 37204 |
| Business type | Privately held / direct-to-consumer ecommerce |
| CEO | Allen Baler |
| CSO | Erin Baler |
| Major categories | Solar generators/portable power, emergency food, water filtration, off-grid cooking and refrigeration, emergency communications, survival equipment, education |
| Fulfillment | Salt Lake City, Utah and Atlanta, Georgia |
| Website | 4Patriots.com |
Allen is currently identified by the company as co-founder and CEO, while Erin is identified as co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer.
History of 4Patriots
The company’s history matters more than most articles let on, because it explains exactly how 4Patriots went from selling PDFs about off-grid power to manufacturing a full lineup of solar generators.
Founding in 2008
Allen and Erin Baler left corporate careers, relocated from New England to Nashville and launched the business in 2008. The original company name was not 4Patriots. It was Reboot Marketing LLC.
The first product was not a generator. According to the company’s own newsroom, 4Patriots began with a series of how-to guides. The founding business was preparedness information publishing, not hardware.
Power4Patriots: Where the Power Story Starts
Federal trademark records show the POWER4PATRIOTS mark entered commercial use by December 2011. The original filing covered educational materials about off-grid power, and the trademark holder was Reboot Marketing LLC.
This is the origin point for everything that eventually became the Patriot Power generator family. Before 4Patriots sold a single watt of portable power hardware, it was selling knowledge about off-grid energy systems. That progression matters: the company learned its market through information products, then built physical products to serve the same audience.
Reboot Marketing made the Inc. 500 list during this growth period, according to the company’s later rebranding announcement.
Food4Patriots
The FOOD4PATRIOTS trademark shows first commercial use in July 2013, covering prepared emergency food kits. This was the company’s first physical product line.
People still search for “Food4Patriots” and “Food 4 Patriots.” It was not a separate company. It was an earlier 4Patriots-branded product identity that preceded the unified brand consumers recognize today.
4Patriots and Patriot Power Generator: 2014
July 2014 was the inflection point. Three things happened nearly simultaneously:
- Reboot Marketing LLC formally changed its name to 4Patriots, LLC (the USPTO assignment was recorded in April, with a public announcement in July)
- The 4PATRIOTS trademark entered commercial use for retail services (July 31, 2014)
- The PATRIOT POWER GENERATOR trademark entered commercial use (July 29, 2014)
This was the moment the company went from selling off-grid power education under the Power4Patriots brand to selling actual portable power hardware under Patriot Power. The information-products company became a hardware company.
The 2016 Generator Recall
On July 28, 2016, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall of approximately 2,200 Patriot Power Generators because the battery could catch fire. CPSC reported 13 generator fires, 2 reports of smoking, 1 report of unusual noise or odor and zero reported injuries.
The recalled units were manufactured in China, sold exclusively through 4Patriots.com between November 2014 and April 2015, and retailed for approximately $2,000. These were early-generation units from the first two years of the Patriot Power Generator product line.
This was a specific recall involving specific hardware. It does not establish that current-generation Patriot Power generators carry the same defect. But it does belong in any honest account of the product line’s history.
Expansion Beyond Power
After establishing the Patriot Power generator family, 4Patriots expanded into water filtration under the Patriot Pure brand, then into off-grid cooking equipment, portable refrigeration, emergency communications and eventually structured education through 4Patriots University.
Company Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2008 | Company founded as Reboot Marketing LLC; first products are preparedness how-to guides |
| 2011 | Power4Patriots enters commercial use (off-grid power education) |
| 2013 | Food4Patriots enters commercial use (emergency food kits); Inc. 500 appearance |
| 2014 | Reboot Marketing becomes 4Patriots, LLC; Patriot Power Generator trademark filed; unified brand launches |
| 2016 | Approximately 2,200 Patriot Power Generators recalled (battery fire risk) |
| 2018 | Trademark assets assigned to Avalon Group, LLC |
| 2019 | Federal 4PATRIOTS trademark registration |
| 2020 | BBB accreditation begins |
| 2022 | NAD rules on 4Patriots food-kit advertising claims |
| 2023 | 4Patriots challenges competitor My Patriot Supply advertising before NAD |
| 2020s | Expansion into water filtration, off-grid cooking and refrigeration, communications, education |
Who Founded 4Patriots?
Allen Baler
Allen Baler is co-founder and CEO. A 2017 profile reported that Baler holds a Harvard English degree and came from a corporate-marketing background, working at Eaton Press and Danbury Mint before launching the preparedness business.
That background explains a lot about how 4Patriots operates. The company did not grow out of an engineering shop or a power-systems company. It grew out of direct-response marketing expertise applied to the preparedness category. The marketing infrastructure came first. The product engineering followed.
Erin Baler
Erin Baler is co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer. She is publicly involved in company strategy and representation.
Older sources sometimes list her title as COO. A 2025 company release used that title, while current 2026 material identifies her as CSO.
Who Owns 4Patriots?
The Operating Company
A 2026 Florida annual filing for 4Patriots, LLC identifies Allen Baler and Erin Baler as members of the Tennessee LLC. The filing uses the Nashville Berry Hill Drive address.
Avalon Group, LLC
Federal trademark records show 4Patriots, LLC assigned major intellectual-property assets to a separate entity, Avalon Group, LLC, in July 2018. This is particularly relevant to the generator story because Avalon now holds the PATRIOT POWER GENERATOR trademark along with 4PATRIOTS, FOOD4PATRIOTS, POWER4PATRIOTS and FRANK BATES.
Avalon’s current trademark filings use the same Nashville address as 4Patriots, LLC: 2920 Berry Hill Drive, Suite 300.
The distinction: trademark assignment records establish that Avalon owns significant IP. They do not, by themselves, establish that Avalon owns the operating company. Most online articles either miss this entirely or conflate the two.
Where Is 4Patriots Located?
The corporate headquarters is at 2920 Berry Hill Drive, Suite 300, Nashville, Tennessee 37204. Both the BBB profile and corporate filings confirm that address. 4Patriots says orders ship from facilities in Salt Lake City, Utah and Atlanta, Georgia.
Nashville is headquarters and product development. Utah handles at least some food packing and fulfillment. Georgia provides additional fulfillment capacity. These are different functions at different locations.
Patriot Power Generators and Portable Solar Power
This is the product family most consumers associate with 4Patriots, and it has the deepest traceable history in the company’s trademark and product records.
The Full Generator Lineup
Among the better-known 4Patriots products are the Patriot Power Generator 2500X, Patriot Power Generator 2200X, Patriot Power Generator 2000X, Patriot Power 1800, Patriot Power Sidekick Solar Generator, Patriot Power Cell-CX, Patriot Pure Ultimate Water Filtration System, Sun Kettle XL, Solar Go Fridge, Freedom Fridge, StarFire Camp Stove, Liberty Band Tactical Solar Radio and HaloXT Multi-Use Flashlight.
The generator lineup breaks down by capacity tier:
Large-capacity units: The Patriot Power 2500X solar generator and Patriot Power 2200X solar generator are the higher-capacity portable power stations. These are designed for extended home backup, RV power and heavier off-grid loads.
Mid-range units: The 4Patriots 2000X generator and 4Patriots 1800 solar generator occupy the middle of the lineup.
Compact and entry-level units: The Patriot 1500 generator and Patriot 1200 solar generator are the smaller, lighter options for lighter-duty portable use.
Each generator in the Patriot Power family is designed to pair with 4Patriots’ own solar panel kits for renewable recharging. Extended runtime can be added through generator expansion battery packs.
Portable Power and Charging
Below the full-sized generators, 4Patriots sells smaller power products:
- Patriot Power Sidekick Solar Generator: a compact portable unit for lighter loads and grab-and-go situations
- Patriot Power Cell-CX Portable Solar Power Bank: a handheld solar-charging power bank for phones and small devices
- 4Patriots solar panels: standalone panels compatible with the generator lineup
- Generator expansion battery packs: additional battery storage for the larger power stations
- AlphaCase Elite: a protective case system for the generators
There are also historical references in older search data to products including the Patriot Pocket Power Generator, Diamond-X and various bundle packages. Whether those remain active catalog items or have been superseded by current models varies.
Where Are Patriot Power Generators Made?
4Patriots answers this directly. Its FAQ says the solar products are designed and developed at its Tennessee office, while most lithium-battery products are manufactured in Asia. A current generator sales page puts it plainly: the generators are designed in the USA and manufactured overseas to company specifications.
That means Patriot Power generators are American-designed and overseas-manufactured. This is a predictable question given the company’s patriotic branding, and 4Patriots deserves credit for answering it clearly on its own pages.
The 2016 CPSC recall notice identified the recalled units as manufactured in China. Current manufacturing locations are described by the company as “overseas” without specifying the country.
4Patriots Emergency Food
Emergency food was the company’s second major product category after power education, entering the market under the Food4Patriots brand in 2013.
Current Food Kit Sizes
| Kit | Servings | Total Calories | Approximate Calories/Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 72-Hour Kit | 20 | 4,800 | ~1,600 |
| 4-Week Kit | 192 | 36,480 | ~1,300 |
| 3-Month Kit | 704 | 140,000 | ~1,555 |
| 1-Year Kit | 2,816 | 560,000 | ~1,555 |
The one-year kit provides approximately 1,555 calories per day. The company explicitly notes that individual calorie requirements may be higher. These are survival rations, not full-nutrition daily meal plans.
Beyond the kits, 4Patriots sells freeze-dried and dehydrated individual meals, freeze-dried meat and protein products, fruits, vegetables, dairy in #10 cans, MRE-style meals and emergency food bars. Individual offerings have included breakfast dishes, rice and bean meals, rice-and-vegetable entrees and various shelf-stable options.
Where Is 4Patriots Food Made?
Current pages say the survival food is hand-packed in Utah using ingredients sourced from the United States and around the world. The food is domestically packed, but not all ingredients are necessarily of U.S. origin.
Patriot Pure Water Filtration
Water products fall under the Patriot Pure brand. The current lineup includes the Patriot Pure Ultimate Water Filtration System (a gravity-fed countertop unit), the Patriot Pure NanoMesh Water Filter, the Patriot Pure Water Pitcher, the Patriot Pure Personal Water Filter, water filter straws and emergency water storage containers. Replacement filters are available for the countertop and pitcher systems.
The NanoMesh filter is one of the few 4Patriots products the company specifically advertises as manufactured in the United States.
Off-Grid Cooking, Refrigeration and Other Equipment
4Patriots has expanded significantly into products that complement its power and food lines:
- Sun Kettle and Sun Kettle XL: solar-powered water heaters that work without fuel or electricity
- StarFire Camp Stove: a compact portable camp stove
- Solar Go Fridge: a portable solar-compatible refrigerator
- Freedom Fridge: another portable refrigeration option
- 4Patriots Freeze Dryer: a home freeze-drying system for self-preserving food
- Liberty Band Tactical Solar Radio: an emergency radio with solar charging
- HaloXT Multi-Use Flashlight: a tactical flashlight
- BugOut Solar Lantern: a portable inflatable solar lantern
The broader catalog also includes bug-out bags, car emergency kits, Victory Garden survival seed kits, air purification, heating and cooling products and various tools.
Portable refrigeration is worth noting specifically because it closes a loop in the 4Patriots ecosystem. The company sells the generators and solar panels to produce power, the fridges to use that power for food preservation, and the food itself. These products are designed to work together.
4Patriots University
4Patriots University offers online preparedness education covering emergency planning, water preparedness and related subjects. Seth Weller is identified as senior manager of the customer-education team and lead instructor.
The educational arm traces a line directly back to the company’s founding. 4Patriots started by selling preparedness information products in 2008, evolved into physical hardware through the 2010s, and now maintains structured education alongside the product business.
How 4Patriots Makes Money
4Patriots is a direct-to-consumer ecommerce company. The business model follows a direct-response pattern: paid advertising drives traffic to standalone landing pages, email and SMS marketing sustain customer engagement, and the product mix emphasizes bundles, upsells, installment-payment options and repeat purchases.
Current promotional pages use “buy X and receive Y free” structures, limited-time bundles, installment pricing and large bonus packages. The company also accepts telephone orders.
This approach is standard direct-response ecommerce. It makes more sense once you know the company started as Reboot Marketing and originally sold information products. The marketing engine was the original business. The product catalog grew around it.
4Patriots’ Marketing and Political Image
Conservative Marketing History
WIRED’s 2026 profile documented a long history of advertising to conservative audiences. The company’s founder reportedly began buying advertising with Newsmax in 2011 and later expanded to National Review, The Blaze and Fox News. The earlier customer profile was described as older conservatives in red states.
The company historically used marketing themes involving government distrust, grid failure and self-reliance.
Current Positioning
Current 4Patriots material positions the brand more broadly, emphasizing hurricanes, wildfires, blackouts, camping, RV use, homesteading and general emergency preparedness. The company’s recent material describes its founding mission as a “common-sense, apolitical resource.”
4Patriots has deep historical ties to conservative-oriented marketing and built much of its early customer base among politically conservative consumers. That marketing history is not the same thing as proof of formal affiliation with MAGA, Donald Trump or the Republican Party.
Who Is Frank Bates, and Is That His Real Name?
According to 4Patriots, Frank Bates is a real person. “Frank Bates” is a pen name. The company says he is a Vietnam-era Navy veteran who lives in Tennessee and has served as a longtime company spokesman. He appeared extensively in older newsletters, marketing and preparedness content. 4Patriots says he writes less frequently now because of his age but continues appearing in videos and blog material.
FRANK BATES is also a registered trademark in Avalon Group’s intellectual-property portfolio. That does not mean the person is fictional. It means the public-facing name became a formal commercial brand asset.
4Patriots Spokespeople and Endorsements
Cade Courtley is a former Navy SEAL who appears in 4Patriots marketing and preparedness content. 4Patriots openly discloses that Courtley is compensated for helping test and endorse its products. The company explicitly states that the United States military and Navy SEALs do not endorse 4Patriots or its products.
The company also discloses that some customer reviewers featured on its site have received free products in exchange for honest feedback.
4Patriots Customer Reviews and Reputation
Better Business Bureau
The BBB lists 4Patriots as accredited with an A+ business rating (accredited since June 2020). BBB customer reviews currently average approximately 3.16 out of 5 from around 340 reviews, and the complaints page reports 314 complaints during the previous three years. BBB notes that complaint volume is high enough that it publishes details for only about 60% of submitted complaints.
| BBB Metric | Current Value |
|---|---|
| Business rating | A+ |
| Customer review score | ~3.16/5 (340 reviews) |
| Complaints (3 years) | 314 |
Trustpilot
Trustpilot currently shows 2.4 out of 5 from 527 reviews, with 54% one-star and 29% five-star. Trustpilot warns that the company has not recently invited customers to review on the platform, meaning the sample is self-selected and should not be assumed representative of all customers.
2022 Advertising Case and the My Patriot Supply Rivalry
The National Advertising Division reviewed 4Patriots’ food-kit advertising after a challenge from competitor My Patriot Supply. NAD found some claims adequately supported but recommended modifications to kit-duration claims and paid-endorser disclosures.
In 2023, 4Patriots challenged My Patriot Supply’s advertising before NAD, and NAD recommended modifications to claims involving fresh fruit depictions, calorie counts, Made-in-USA representations and website review presentation.
The two companies are not the same entity. They are direct competitors, and their rivalry has played out through the advertising industry’s self-regulatory system.
4Patriots Returns, Warranty and Customer Support
The company’s formal Warranty, Return and Refund Policy (updated August 2025) describes a 365-day product warranty but limits non-defective returns to 90 days. Other 4Patriots FAQ and promotional pages still reference a 365-day money-back satisfaction guarantee, while the company’s Our Story page references 90 days.
Because terms vary across pages and offers, verify the return conditions on the specific product and offer you are purchasing.
Veterans and Charitable Giving
4Patriots reports supporting military-oriented organizations including Operation Homefront, Team Rubicon, Fisher House Foundation, A Soldier’s Child Foundation, Hire Heroes USA, Pets for Vets and For The Troops. The company’s current charity page reports cumulative donations exceeding $2.05 million. These are company-reported figures.
How Large Is 4Patriots?
4Patriots is privately held. The company claims approximately $1 billion in cumulative preparedness-product sales since founding and 8 million customers since 2008. Employee counts vary across the company’s own pages (125 to 175+); the BBB lists 151. The company has well over 100 employees.
Frequently Asked Questions About 4Patriots
Is 4Patriots legit? Yes. It is an established U.S. company operating since 2008 with a physical headquarters, registered corporate entities and millions of reported customers. Individual product value depends on the product, the price and what you are comparing it against.
Who owns 4Patriots? Allen and Erin Baler are listed as members of 4Patriots, LLC. Major trademarks are held by Avalon Group, LLC at the same Nashville address.
When was 4Patriots founded? 2008, originally as Reboot Marketing LLC.
Is 4Patriots a MAGA company? The company has historically marketed to conservative audiences through conservative media. That does not establish formal MAGA or Republican Party affiliation.
Is Food4Patriots the same as 4Patriots? Food4Patriots was an earlier product brand, not a separate company.
Is My Patriot Supply the same as 4Patriots? No. Independent competitors.
Are 4Patriots products made in America? Depends on the product. Generators: designed USA, manufactured overseas. Food: packed in Utah with domestic and international ingredients. Certain NanoMesh filters: advertised as made in USA.
Who is Frank Bates? A longtime company spokesman using a pen name. The company says he is a real Vietnam-era Navy veteran.
4Patriots in 2026
Today 4Patriots operates as a hybrid between emergency-supply retailer, direct-response ecommerce company and preparedness educator. Its product ecosystem spans power generation, food storage, water filtration, off-grid cooking and refrigeration, and emergency communications.
The Power4Patriots to Patriot Power Generator progression is the clearest thread through the company’s history. It connects the original information-product business to the current hardware catalog and explains why a company that started by selling how-to guides about off-grid energy now manufactures a full lineup of portable solar generators. Understanding that progression, along with the ownership structure, manufacturing origins and advertising record, provides a more complete picture of 4Patriots than the typical surface-level overview.
