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Taste Radio Insider Ep. 109: How Cleveland Kitchen Is Using Data And Innovation To Become A Household Name

Drew and Mac Anderson, co-founders of the fast-growing fermented food platform Cleveland Kitchen, spoke about how the brand drew its inspiration from their mother and from the city of Cleveland, their experience leaning into new use occasions for sauerkraut and why it was key to growth, the impact of data on its merchandising and sales and how the brothers balance family and business.

Rise Aims to Fuel Market Momentum With New Flavor, Funding

As one of the RTD cold brew and oat milk pioneers, the success of RISE Brewing Co., which launched its three-SKU line of oat milk lattes in 7 oz. cans in 2018, has helped pave the way for others to enter the category. The brand is seeking to leverage its first-mover advantage in oat milk to broaden its presence, starting with this month’s launch of a new Vanilla flavor.

Monster Unveils 2021 Product Slate But No Seltzer, Schlosberg Named Co-CEO

Defying the predictions of many industry analysts, Monster Beverage Corporation offered no official confirmation of nor announcement for its rumored alcoholic hard seltzer product during its 2021 Virtual Investors Meeting on Thursday. However, the company did announce Thursday that longtime president, CFO and COO Hilton Schlosberg has been named co-CEO of the company.

Zico Returns As Founder Rampolla, PowerPlant Ventures Buys Brand

Over a decade after its sale, Zico founder Mark Rampolla finds himself writing the next chapter in the coconut water brand's history, having reacquired the brand from Coca-Cola via investment fund PowerPlant Ventures, of which he is a partner and co-founder.

Chobani Enters RTD Coffee Category With Multi-Serve Cold Brews

Just over a month after releasing a slate of new innovations across several product categories, Chobani’s platform expansion continued today as the Greek yogurt maker revealed a new line of ready-to-drink cold brew coffees that highlight its expertise in dairy and plant-based dairy alternatives.

KiiTO Rebrands as Vast, Targets Conventional Channel Growth

Plant protein drink maker KiiTO has rebranded as Vast, a move aimed at broadening the brand’s identity beyond keto-friendly products and expanding into conventional and club retailers. According to co-founder and chief sales officer Kendall Dreyer, the change comes as the brand has grown its presence outside of the natural channel through retailers such as 7-Eleven.

Bang Counters PepsiCo Motion to Dismiss Lawsuit

As VPX Pharmaceuticals seeks to end its distribution agreement with PepsiCo in court, the Florida-based maker of Bang energy drink has filed a response in opposition to the soda giant’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit.

A Letter from BevNET CEO John Craven: Moving From 2020 to 2021, With Gratitude

The year 2020 was challenging in ways that few of us could possibly have anticipated. We have seen food and beverage industry members face a global pandemic that upended worker safety, the supply chain, retailing and distribution networks. The ongoing lockdowns have tested endurance and resources, but have pushed us all to find creative ways to survive and evolve.

Distribution Roundup: Shaka Tea Makes Bicoastal Moves, Pillars Goes Nationwide

Hawaiian tea brand Shaka Tea is expanding its presence on both coasts this month through partnerships with key regional distributors, including Nestlé Waters’ ReadyRefresh service in California; Pillars Drinkable Greek Yogurt is going nationwide with Whole Foods, a move that marks the Massachusetts-based brand’s first expansion into the West Coast.

Molson Coors Partners With Dwayne Johnson to Launch ZOA Energy Drink

As it continues to develop new non-alcoholic brands in a myriad of categories, the Molson Coors Beverage Company announced today that it will enter the energy space with ZOA, a new better-for-you energy drink co-founded by actor Dwayne Johnson.

Flow Water’s Functional Platform Expands With Vitamin-Infused Line

Extending the brand deeper into the functional beverage space, Flow Alkaline Spring Water announced today the launch of Flow Vitamin-Infused Water, a new line of organic drinks containing added nutrients that the brand is positioning as a natural channel alternative to Vitaminwater.