Headlines

Legalization, ‘Share of Buzz’ Top Challenges Facing Cannabis Beverages

“Share of Buzz” may be one of the biggest challenges facing brands looking to enter the cannabis beverage space, according to a panel discussion hosted by Duane Morris LLP and the American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp’s (ATACH) Cannabis Beverage Council on Wednesday.

ZenWTR Receives Plastic Negative Brand Certification

Premium alkaline water brand ZenWTR has received a Plastic Negative Brand Certification from environmental nonprofit Plastic Credit Exchange (PCX), the company announced today, making it the first beverage producer to achieve the classification.

Chobani Leans Back into Dairy With Ultra-Filtered Milk, Half & Half

After establishing a presence in oat milk over the last three years, Chobani is seeking to build on the other side of the divide with the national launch of two new refrigerated dairy platforms this month: Ultra Filtered Milk and Half & Half.

King’s Hawaiian Acquires Shaka Tea

Family-owned food manufacturer King’s Hawaiian has acquired Hawaii-based beverage brand Shaka Tea, the company announced today. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The deal comes less than two years after the baked goods and restaurant company invested in Shaka as part of a $2.3 million funding round.

Olipop Co-Founders: “There’s More and More Opportunity to Go After”

After announcing the close of a $30 million Series B funding round yesterday, Olipop co-founders Ben Goodwin and David Lester told BevNET they have set the goal of both doubling the brand’s retail footprint and achieving a $100 million run rate by the end of this year.

Taste Radio: The Two Words That Guide This Extraordinary Founder. And, A Few Minutes With Maxi.

This week on Taste Radio, we share the inspirational story of Adam Bremen, the founder of fast-growing snack bar brand Keto Krisp, who spoke about how perseverance and a can-do attitude has yielded personal and professional success throughout his life. Also, investor Maxine Kozler Koven joins the episode for the first installment of a new regular series in which she provides her insights and analysis of the food and beverage industry.

Smucker’s Completes Drinks, Grains Divestment; Ex-Ocean Spray CEO Chacko To Run New Business

The J.M. Smucker Co. completed the process of divesting from its natural and organic and grains businesses today, while Nexus Capital Management, which acquired the rights to R.W. Knudsen, TruRoots and Santa Cruz Organic (beverages only) in a $110 million deal, announced that CPG industry veteran Bobby Chacko will be running the businesses under a single independent company as its chairman and CEO.

Olipop Raises $30M in Series B Funding Round

Functional soda producer Olipop has closed a $30 million Series B funding round led by Monogram Capital and supported by a roster of celebrity investors, the company announced today. Among the notable names involved in the round are Priyanka Chopra, musician Camila Cabello and the Jonas Brothers – Nick Jonas, Joe Jonas and Kevin Jonas.

Mamma Chia Embraces ‘Diversity,’ ‘Empowerment’ with Rebrand

Pioneering chia beverage maker Mamma Chia is looking to emphasize diversity and empowerment with a comprehensive rebrand, set to begin rolling out to stores this month. Helmed by creative firm Gestalt Brand Labs, the new look stretches across Mamma Chia’s entire product portfolio.

Better Booch Raises $2.5M, Hires Former GT’s Sales EVP Presnall

California-based brand Better Booch has raised $2.5 million in a series seed round to support the expansion of its team, the company announced today, including the hiring of GT’s Living Foods vet Scott Presnall as its EVP of sales and a new VP of sales, John Weaver.

Flow: Net Revenue Hits $42M, While Losses Linger

Encouraged by improved gross margins and optimized production efficiencies, premium water brand Flow Beverage Corp. has raised its FY2022 net revenue target for branded products by up to 55%, according to financial results released by the company today.