Coming off triple-digit growth in 2019, Hellowater has partnered with Southeastern Grocers to add over 400 grocery channel accounts ahead of broader expansion this year. Co-founder and EVP of sales and marketing Rusty Jones said the Chicago-based brand, which markets a line of flavored waters infused with prebiotic fibers, is now available in BI-LO and Winn Dixie stores, bringing its total nationwide footprint to about 6,000 stores.
Premium sparkling water maker Spindrift has raised $29.8 million in a new funding round, its largest single round to date, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) this week. The new round brings the Massachusetts-based company’s total financing to at least $70 million and is the first new funding the brand has received since a $20 million Series B round led by VMG Partners in 2018.
In the next edition in a series of news briefs, we catch up with Vive Organic to discuss a pair of new additions to its line of functional cold-pressed juice shots, while also checking out new plant-based innovations from teaRIOT and Protein2o.
In the first of a series of news briefs, we examine how DRY Soda is reintroducing itself as DRY Botanical Bubbly, positioned as a non-alcoholic alternative for “celebration occasions.” We also explore new cold brew innovations from illy and Rise Brewing Company (including tea).
Prior to the postponement of Natural Products Expo West 2020 on Monday, as much as 60% of attendees said they planned to skip this week’s event. But many others -- including early stage entrepreneurs -- were surprised by the late decision. For many, the news came after they had already arrived in Anaheim, and for some mid-flight.
Proud Source Water has raised $6 million in a financing round led by AF Ventures, the company announced today. Speaking with BevNET, Proud Source Water president CJ Pennington said the round will go towards increasing sales and marketing efforts for the Idaho-based bottled water brand.
Premium pickle brand Grillo’s is entering the beverage set with a line of cold-pressed pickle vinegar drinks launching next week at Natural Products Expo West 2020. Grillo’s founder Travis Grillo said the expansion into beverage is part of a larger effort to build a cross-category platform brand.
Vistar has taken a minority ownership stake in RTD yerba mate maker Yerbae, the beverage brand told BevNET, opening a partnership which will give the brand access to over 12,000 food service accounts nationwide. Yerbae CEO Todd Gibson said the investment comes as the brand prepares to roughly triple its retail distribution footprint by the end of this year.
Lemon Perfect Enters Big Geyser, Expands Whole Foods; CLEAN Cause Goes Chainwide in Whole Foods; Kill Cliff Adds Publix, Weis Market; SkinTE Goes Chainwide in Sprouts; The Bitter Housewife Adds Whole Foods Rocky Mountain Region
Constellation Brands announced this week it has acquired a minority ownership stake in Karma Culture LLC, the makers of Karma Wellness Water. The deal marks the beer and spirits giant’s first investment in a non-alcoholic beverage brand through its Constellation Ventures arm. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Canned water maker Liquid Death announced today it has raised $9 million in a Series A funding round led by Velvet Sea Ventures, bringing the company’s total funding to $11.25 million. The round will primarily help the brand to build out its sales team ahead of national expansion in retail and on-premise outlets this year and will also help to increase manufacturing output.
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A lawsuit filed by Wanu Water against shareholders and former directors was dismissed last week; Monster and Coke lost a jury trial last week which ruled in favor of the family of Hubert Hansen; LaCroix maker National Beverage Corp. declared victory in a class action lawsuit after the plaintiff retracted allegations that the brand was falsely advertised as “100% natural.”
Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) announced today it has agreed to acquire a “substantial portion” of dairy producer Dean Foods’ assets for a base price of $425 million as a stalking horse bidder. According to a press release from Dean Foods, DFA is set to acquire 44 of Dean’s liquid and frozen facilities, including real estate, inventory, equipment, direct store delivery system and other corporate assets.
As demand for cold brew coffee continues to grow, many brands have focused on single-serve innovations to gain a foothold in the category. Minnesota-based Bizzy Coffee, however, believes it can make bigger long term gains as a fridge staple rather than playing me-too in the grab-and-go set.
