Citing Category Struggles, FORTO Makes Cuts to Sales Team
Ready-to-drink coffee brand FORTO has restructured its sales team and eliminated 10 regional management positions within its direct store delivery (DSD) division, BevNET learned this week.
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Taste Radio Ep. 209: How A Revered Entrepreneur And Innovator Proved The Naysayers Wrong
Trey Zoeller, founder of pioneering whiskey brand Jefferson’s Bourbon, spoke about overcoming initial criticism of his experimental methods for aging bourbon, why he doesn’t consider himself a distiller, balancing consumer demand for diversity, consistency and predictability and why he’ll “never create a brand or an expression out of a boardroom.”
Koia Lands Potential “Last Money” With CircleUp Investment
Plant-based beverage brand Koia has completed a bridge funding round with investment platform CircleUp Growth Partners that could possibly represent “the last money into the company,” according to CEO Chris Hunter. Details of the transaction were not disclosed.
Targeting Grocery, Back Bay Roasters Shifts Focus to Bag-in-Box
Seeking a point of differentiation in the crowded cold brew coffee set, Boston-based Back Bay Roasters is shifting its focus from its single-serve line to its bag-in-box format, beginning with a rollout to 200 Walmart stores on the East Coast next month. The move comes as a number of rising cold brew startups have embraced multiserve packaging.
WATCH: Califia CEO Greg Steltenpohl Talks Investment, Market Dynamics
BevNET managing editor Martin Caballero sat down with Greg Steltenpohl, co-founder and CEO of Califia Farms, on a video call to discuss his thoughts on how both investors and brands may be considering the current and post-COVID market landscape.
Summer Fancy Food Show Cancelled
Following a deluge of other food and beverage show cancellations and delays, the Specialty Food Association (SFA) announced today that its Summer Fancy Food Show will be cancelled. The tradeshow was slated to run June 28 through 30 in New York City.
COVID-19 News Roundup: IRI’s Latest Shopping Trends, Mercato Grows Platform
As consumers stay inside, shopping habits are changing and delivery platforms are adapting to meet the increased demand. Here’s the latest COVID-19 news from around the industry this week.
Brands Give Back Roundup: Liquid Death Supports Bands and Bartenders, Ocean Spray Announces Raises
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt daily life, food and beverage brands are continuing to launch new initiatives to give back and support those in need during the crisis. In this roundup, we look at several brands finding new ways to support musicians, food pantries and their own employees.
Uncle Matt’s Organic Charts Path Forward After Dean Bankruptcy
Amid a portfolio of distressed assets up for sale by Dean Foods, juice maker Uncle Matt’s Organic may not have been the biggest potential get. But that depends on who’s buying: for founder and CEO Matt McLean, who secured a $7.25 million deal to reacquire the brand last week, it’s a chance for a fresh start.
Taste Radio Insider Ep. 80: Why These Two Things ‘Matter The Most’ When Building A Disruptive Brand
We’re joined this week by Jordan Salcito, founder of acclaimed canned wine brand Ramona, who spoke about the inspiration behind her disruptive concept, why she’s not prescriptive about how and when people should drink the products and how cultivating industry relationships prior to the brand’s launch was critical to its fast start.
Cannabis, CBD Brands Feel Impact of COVID-19
The coronavirus outbreak has come amidst a steadily increasing number of CBD and legal cannabis products and. Many brands from both the THC and CBD sides of the ledger quickly found sales growth as consumers rushed to stockpile goods from nearly all CPG sectors, but cannabis suppliers and entrepreneurs are now wondering what their industry will look like once the crisis passes.
A Note From CEO John Craven: BevNET and NOSH Are Moving To Paid Access. Here’s Why.
In order to maintain our team and continue to produce valuable coverage, we are rolling out a subscription model for our content, starting in late April. One subscription fee of $375 will pay for a subscription for 12 months, and will entitle a subscriber to read both BevNET and NOSH.
Passover Sales Feel Impact of COVID
Covid-19 has upended many traditional consumer shopping habits, including how holidays are celebrated. Brands that look to these events as major sales drivers, such as Kosher food company Kayco, are keeping a close eye on how the pandemic will impact their annual forecasts.
WATCH: Max Baumann on Merchandising During A Crisis
Earlier this week, BevNET managing editor Martin Caballero sat down with Max Baumann, CEO and founder of food and beverage merchandising agency Basemakers, to discuss what his team is seeing and experiencing at grocery stores across the country, offering insight on a range of topics.