Pepsi One

PepsiCo, Inc. announced that Dave Yawman has been named executive vice president, government affairs, general counsel and corporate secretary, effective immediately.

The definition of “kombucha” may once again see its day in court, this time via a class action lawsuit filed against PepsiCo-owned probiotic beverage brand KeVita earlier this month, which alleges its Master Brew Kombucha products deceive consumers because they are pasteurized.

In this week’s episode of Taste Radio, we spoke with Hint Water founder/CEO Kara Goldin about how her experiences in tech helped shape the business strategy for the brand, which is nearing $100M in annual sales. We also speak with Billy Bosch, the co-founder/CEO of Iconic, who offered insight into lessons learned and key takeaways from his journey as an entrepreneur. And in the latest edition of Elevator Talk, we chat it up with Mikaela Ray, the Owner/CEO, of Mikaela’s. This episode is presented by Sovereign Flavors.

Though convenience store traffic has dipped in 2017, you couldn’t tell from looking around the packed floor at this year’s National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) show last week in Chicago. Exhibitors from across the spectrum of food and beverage took over two halls of the McCormick Place for three days, showcasing a range of new products and innovations that will be rolling out to c-store coolers over the next year.

Pinning the decline on poor weather conditions across North America leading to fewer C-store sales, CEO Indra Nooyi sought to reassure investors “that the issues are temporary” and action has been taken to improve sales in the new quarter.

The partnership will also include extensive “The Walking Dead” on-pack and in-store branding and character images on more than 100 million individual Mountain Dew products in store locations nationwide.

Available exclusively in 7-Eleven stores nationwide through the end of this year before a wider launch in Q1 2018, Amp Energy Organic will debut in four fruit-flavored SKUs: Citrus, Pineapple Coconut, Grape and Tropical Burst.

President Donald Trump’s Strategic and Policy Forum and Manufacturing Council formally disbanded Wednesday after business leaders opted to leave the panels following controversial comments from the President regarding riots in Charlottesville, Va. last weekend.

During an interview at BevNET Live Summer 2017 in New York, KeVita founder and former CEO Bill Moses spoke at length about his experiences starting, growing and selling the company in his first interview since it was acquired by PepsiCo for around $230 million last November.

PepsiCo announced Thursday the appointment of Ramon Laguarta, CEO of the company’s Europe and sub-Saharan Africa division, as President effective Sept. 1, filling a position that has been vacant for nearly three years.

The tour will kick off with a pre-game concert in New York outside Yankee Stadium at Billy’s Sports Bar on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2017, featuring 90s hip-hop icon, Busta Rhymes.

Mehmood Khan joins Indigo Ag board of directors; Val Stalowir begins as new CEO of Reed’s following founder’s resignation; Mamma Chia hires new sales SVP; Mark Ellis moves on to next project with Rally; Caribou Coffee announces new CEO and President

Reuters has reported that PepsiCo is in talks to acquire All Market Inc, the maker of leading coconut water brand Vita Coco. PepsiCo is offering less than the $1 billion that All Market has sought for the acquisition, according to Reuters, which cited sources familiar with the potential deal.

In this episode of the BevNET Podcast, Sperry, along with Carol Ortenberg, the editor of BevNET sister site Project NOSH, discussed Whole Foods’ efforts to revitalize its brand and assuage key investors in light of its announcement of changes to its board of directors, category management, and the launch of a loyalty program.