ZOA continues to be busy in the early months of 2022, announcing this week the launch of its first-ever line extension, a pre-workout energy drink called ZOA+.
Powered by a distribution pact with Molson Coors, ZOA has enjoyed an auspicious beginning since launching in 2021, generating over $23 million in sales over the 52-week period ending on February 12, according to Nielsen data, and setting the pace as the fastest growing energy drink in the U.S. With the target of entering 100,000 retail doors this year, the company has been active in recent months, securing a $10 million line of credit with Gerber Finance for working capital in February while also introducing two zero-sugar flavors — White Peach and Tropical Punch — and a 12 oz. can format in January.
While brands like C4 and Ghost have enjoyed success introducing RTD versions of their high-caffeine, fitness-forward powdered supplements, ZOA is stepping in the other direction with ZOA+, a three-SKU, zero-sugar line which features “a powerful combination of nitric oxide support, vitamins, antioxidants, electrolytes, and nutrients that work to promote exercise performance and focus,” as well as delivering hydration and immunity benefits. The product packs a slightly bigger buzz — 200 mg of natural caffeine (green tea, white tea, guayusa, green coffee beans), compared to 160 mg in the core line — plus B Vitamins, folate and ginkgo biloba and 3,000 mg of L-citrulline, designed to extend energy release during high-intensity exercise. Available in Mandarin Orange Grapefruit, Pineapple Passion Fruit and Blackberry Acai, ZOA+ will retail for $39.99 per 12-pack.
While the core line has expanded to over 40,000 retail doors across channels, ZOA+ will be a targeted launch initially through an exclusive release with GNC and Amazon, two retailers which have been key to the brand’s success thus far, with the former serving as the exclusive launch partner for ZOA in January 2021. Within that mix, ZOA+ will compete with other supplement-labeled RTDs from names like C4 and Ghost (both in 16 oz. cans), among others.
“ZOA+ is an innovative, healthy, bad ass pre-workout energy supplement. As our consumers will experience, we went to great lengths to deliver a dynamite formulation,” said Johnson in a press release. “Between ZOA+ and ZOA, you have one hell of a Cadillac combo of healthy energy products to support all of your daily fitness and life goals.”