Suja Acquired By PE Firm Paine Schwartz
Cold-pressed juice brand Suja Life has been acquired by investment group Paine Schwartz Partners, the company announced today. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Headlines
PepsiCo: Q2 Net Revenue Surges as Consumer Mobility Returns
Fueled by the resurgence of on-premise accounts and increased consumer mobility, PepsiCo net revenue surged 20.5% to $19.2 billion in Q2 2021, beating already-optimistic analyst expectations. According to an earnings report released today, organic revenue growth increased 12.8% in the quarter, up from 7.4% last year.
Nielsen: Overall Gains Offset By Growth Slowdown
Non-alcoholic beverage sales slowed across all channels over the two-week period ending on July 3, 2021, according to an analysis of Nielsen data by Goldman Sachs Equity Research. Yet overall growth remains positive — on a two-year stack basis, total non-alcoholic sales are up 15.5% — and growing momentum behind the on-premise channel (+5.1% over the two weeks) are causes for optimism.
Taste Radio: How To Become The ‘Envy’ Of Your Competition, One Dream Retailer At A Time
This episode features an interview with Wes Henderson, the co-founder and chief innovation officer of Angel's Envy, who chronicled the history and development of the revered whiskey brand and how the company rapidly scaled while staying true to its values. This podcast also includes a conversation with the founders of two innovative brands that focuses on how each landed placement in their dream retailers. Teresa Tsou, the co-founder of better-for-you snack brand Pipsnacks, and Andrew Suzuka, the founder of organic, vegetable-infused tomato sauce brand Otamot, discussed the key steps along their respective paths into Whole Foods and Sprouts.
See Jane Drink: Cannabis Bevs Find Female Following
Even as new products and brands continue to pop-up across regulated states, it’s the growing presence of women in the cannabis beverage category that has some seeing a bigger future.
Hollywood Hydration: Liquid Death, FIJI Launch Cinematic Marketing Campaigns
America is going back to the movies, and so are brands. This week, two bottled water companies are making cinematic debuts with new marketing campaigns, each using the movies to drive home brand stories about sustainability. Liquid Death stars in Dead Till Death and FIJI Water gets a new score from Hans Zimmer.
Distribution Roundup: Better Booch Debuts at Walmart; GNGR Expands in Northeast
California-based Better Booch is seeking to drive that momentum behind a push into conventional retailers, including Walmart. Elsewhere, GNGR Labs partners with Dora's Naturals to expand within New York City and beyond.
Spirits Gallery: New Limited Releases From Anteel, Bacardi, Sipsmith And More
Spirits producers released a range of pride-focused, patriotic and citrus-infused products this month in addition to a variety of innovative bourbons from brands such as TX Whiskey, Yellow Rose Distillery and Watershed. Check out the gallery for the latest new releases, limited-edition spirits and brand relaunches.
BlueTriton Brands Names Jorge Mesquita as CEO
BlueTriton Brands has appointed former Johnson & Johnson executive Jorge Mesquita as CEO, tasked with overseeing its portfolio of nationally distributed bottled water brands acquired from Nestle. Mesquita previously served as EVP and worldwide chairman of Johnson & Johnson’s consumer division, overseeing marketing and strategy revamps for the Johnson’s Baby, Neutrogena and Listerine brands.
Chobani Files for IPO
Yogurt and beverage producer Chobani announced today that it has filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a potential Initial Public Offering (IPO). The company did not detail a proposed valuation, a potential stock price or a timeline for an IPO. The valuation could be in excess of $10 billion, according to a Reuters report.
The Alkaline Water Co.: Fiscal Year Ends Strong, Announces $5M Raise
The Arizona-based company, which produces a line of 8.8 pH alkaline waters and CBD-infused products, posted a compounded annual growth rate of 52% since fiscal year 2015, with gross profit of about $16.4 million (up 25% from fiscal year 2020) and a cost of goods sold equal to $29.6 million (up 17% year-over-year).
X2 Closes $16M Funding Round, With NFL’s Barkley Joining
Sports performance drink maker X2 has announced the close of a $15 million round of Series D financing led by L Catterton and highlighted by participation from NFL running back Saquon Barkley.
With ‘Variety’ in Mind, United Sodas of America Expands Across the Country
In the war on sugar, soda has been public enemy number one for years. Now, New York-based startup United Sodas of America is looking to clean up the category’s image with a brand-driven, better-for-you line of low calorie soft drinks. After posting 10x growth online in its first year, the brand is currently expanding into retail with an ambitious 12 SKU lineup.
Taste Radio: The New Rules For Success In Food And Beverage
This special edition of the podcast features highlights from interviews with six founders, creators and innovators who joined us on the show during the first half of 2021. Our guests include Denise Woodard of Partake Foods; Mike Fata of Manitoba Harvest, Lezlie Karls Saltarelli, Nick Saltarelli and Jake Karls of Mid-Day Squares, Bill Moses of Flying Embers; Ayeshah Abuelhiga of Mason Dixie Foods and Seth Goldman of Honest Tea, Eat The Change and Beyond Meat.