Asian pear juice startup Seoul Juice has scored a new equity partner — U.S. men’s soccer player and MLS star Jordan Morris — ahead of its forthcoming launch at Costco stores in the Pacific Northwest next month.
The Los Angeles-based brand’s connection with Morris stems from his relationship with Seoul Juice founder Luis Manta, who created the product as a college soccer player at Saint Louis University; the pair “grew up playing against” each other on the West Coast, according to the brand. Morris, a forward who is set to represent the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) at the CONCACAF Gold Cup this summer, was attracted to the brand “as it helps keep him hydrated and does not raise his blood sugar as he has Type 1 Diabetes,” per the company.
Morris is Seoul Juice’s second major partner to come on this summer: in May, Canadian entrepreneur Zack Teperman, founder of PR firm ZTPR, came onboard as a minority owner and member of the company’s advisory board, alongside names like John Cerasani, Bob Sirmans, Max Wellman, Eric Evans and Jeffrey Chernick.
Morris, a native of Mercer Island, Washington, is also helping bring Seoul Juice into the Northwest: on July 1, the brand will be available at Costco locations in Seattle, Portland and Anchorage, Alaska. The big-box chain will introduce Seoul Juice in 12-packs of 16.9 oz. bottles, and it will be available for purchase at $18.99.
The move comes after Seoul Juice made distribution gains (Bristol Farms, Pod Foods) and underwent a rebranding last year, changing its packaging design and adding a mascot, Nashi. Last month, the product launched at Dierbergs Markets, a local chain in St. Louis, where Manta played college soccer at Saint Louis University.
“When it came to launching with a national partner Costco was our first choice and we cannot wait to be introduced to their members,” said Manta in a statement. “Buyers Bobby Huynh and Sarah Lyle were instrumental in making this launch possible and we are excited to be the first ever Korean Pear Juice to sell at Costco.”