Although underlying net sales beat analysts’ projections, Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) is still facing post-merger headwinds from its allied brands portfolio, the company announced in its third quarter earnings report today.
Plant-based dairy maker Mooala announced today it has raised $8.3 million in a Series A financing round led by Sweat Equities. The round brings the three-year-old brand’s total funding to more than $13 million. The round also includes additional financing from M3 Ventures, which led Mooala’s $5 million seed round last year.
Waltz CBD Seltzer Launches in Colorado; NOCCO Adds 500 Accounts Nationwide; Phivida Partners with Gotham Brands for Oki Rollout; Califia Farms Adds 3,200 7-Eleven Stores; Spindrift Launches in Publix; Cafe Agave To Expand Across the Country; Petal Adds Gelson’s; Positive Beverage Adds Target in California and Colorado
Based in Columbus, Ohio, W*nder is a line of sparkling waters containing 20 mg of CBD per 12 oz. can along, with various adaptogens and other functional ingredients. Though the sparkling water category has been a popular platform for upstart CBD brands founder Tanisha Robinson told BevNET that she intends to launch W*nder as a regional play in Ohio, where CBD beverages are still sparse.
Seeking to expand its sales and marketing team, sparkling yerba mate drink maker CLEAN Cause announced today it has raised $7 million in a series A round. Speaking with BevNET, CLEAN Cause founder and CEO Wes Hurt said the round was entirely financed by private individuals from the Austin, Texas area, where the nearly five-year-old brand is based.
Adam Louras Steps Down as Iris Nova COO to Launch Consulting Agency; Matt Kahn Leaves CELSIUS; Death Wish Coffee Appoints COO; Dunkin’ Brands CMO Steps Down; Zing Zang Names Brent Albertson as CEO
A Massachusetts court has ruled “fire cider” is a generic term that cannot be trademarked, potentially ending a yearslong legal battle between herbal brand owners and tonic maker Shire City Herbals; New Class Action Targets Brew Dr.’s Probiotic Count; Court Rules in Favor of 5-Hour Energy in Costco Case
The Coca-Cola Company beat analysts’ expectations in the third quarter of 2019, posting a 5% increase in organic sales growth and an 8% rise in net revenue to $9.5 billion, according to a quarterly earnings report released today. Among CSDs, the company’s core Coke line grew volumes 3% and retail value was up 6%. Coke Zero Sugar reported robust 14% volume growth globally.
Plant-based food and beverage brand Forager Project announced this week that it has received a minority investment from Danone Manifesto Ventures. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Speaking to BevNET today, Forager Project founder and CEO Stephen Williamson said the company had to-date been mainly self-funded with some outside investment by individuals.
LA Distributing Company Announces Brand Incubator Program; Omni Partners with Presence Marketing to Provide Ecommerce Services; CELSIUS Adds 1,100 Kroger Locations; Nutpods Adds Target and Walmart; Phocus Expands in Texas
Sarah Bird Joins Beyond Broth as CEO; Riff Cold Brewed Hires VP of Business Development; REBBL Names New CMO; CLEAN Cause Appoints VP of Sales; Waterloo Sparkling Brings on New Sales and Marketing Leadership; Distill Ventures Announces New Executive Appointment
As startups race to seize shelf space in the emerging market for hemp-infused products, CBD beverage makers have witnessed an influx of competition using low grade ingredients and mislabeled doses. As the category faces increased scrutiny from not just state and federal regulators, but consumers who are inexperienced with or skeptical of hemp-based products, many beverage brands are prioritizing transparency and education.
Over the past year, the food and beverage space has witnessed a “green rush” of CBD startups entering the market in a race to capitalize on the trend. With no shortage of competition, Seattle-based Docklight Brands is also hoping to get on board the cannabis wave with 13 brands of its own.
From shelves to coolers, the fizz is in. But how long before the influx of sparkling water brands begins to bubble over? With a standard formulation of tap water, stock flavors, and carbonation, sparkling water brands are now finding new ways to differentiate in order to stand out from the pack, from functionality to branding to premiumization.
