Equator Coffees Expands Retail Footprint Wide and Fast
California roaster Equator Coffees is rolling its single and multiserve cold brews out to over 1,500 retail stores across the country, going chainwide in Whole Foods and Sprouts with an additional 476 Kroger banner locations on the docket.
The expansion marks the first Regenerative Organic Certified multiserve cold brew coffee product to be distributed nationwide and brings the brand’s total retail footprint to over 2,500 stores nationwide for its multiserve product line introduced earlier this year.
The move marks an overall bigger push into RTD wholesale for Equator, which was founded in 1995 and has historically built much of its business through dry coffee and cafes. The company is currently in the process of opening a new cafe in Sonoma, California.
Kroger banners participating in the launch include Ralph’s, Fred Meyer. QFC, King Soopers and Smith’s stores.
“Cold brew has long been part of the Equator story—whether enjoyed in our cafés or brewed at home,” said Equator co-founder and executive chair Helen Russell in a press release. “Partnering with Whole Foods, Sprouts, and Kroger to bring it nationwide isn’t just about scaling distribution, it’s about inviting more people to experience the care and craft that define Equator.”
Whole Foods will carry six SKUs of Equator’s RTDs, including its Smooth Black, Perfectly Sweet and Simply Decaf varieties in 42 oz. multiserve bottles ($9.99-$10.99 each) as well as three single-serve flavors with Espresso Roast, Velvet Mocha and Oat Milk Latte in 8.5 oz. glass bottles ($4.99 each).
Sprouts has taken on single-serve Oat Milk Latte and Hint of Vanilla flavors, while Kroger will stock the Smooth Black and Perfectly Sweet multiserves.\
PHX Energy Enters Cumbies
Hydration energy drink brand PHX is getting a big debut in the c-store channel, adding over 500 Cumberland Farms stores across the Northeast.
A subsidiary of One 11 Brands, PHX launched this summer and is backed by Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy. Available in six flavors, PHX is positioned as a functional beverage with 700 mg of electrolytes and 200 mg of caffeine in each 12 oz. can.
On LinkedIn this week, Daniel Blake – founder and general manager of One 11 Brands – called the expansion into Cumberland Farms “just the start of an amazing partnership” with the retailer’s owner EG America.
The convenience store launch comes a month after PHX announced its entrance into Kroger stores in Cincinnati and gives the brand, which just came to market in June, a significant retail partner in the convenience channel.
More Distribution News from Across the Industry
- Mushroom-powered functional beverage brand Melting Forest is launching in all Kroger locations in Texas, the brand announced Tuesday.
- Functional beverage maker TRIP is now available in the Northeast with Wegmans stores.
- Hydration beverage mix Waterboy has launched in