Alongside New Capital, Sunrise Adjusts Strategy, Brings on Burns

CPG-focused investment group Sunrise Strategic announced late last week that it would bring aboard more food and beverage veterans, notably ex-ONE Brands CEO Peter Burns, to help the firm diversify its capabilities. The news comes as the firm also announced its financial partner, Trilantic North America, had invested additional capital into the group.

Taste Radio: The ‘Evil’ Strategy Is Remarkably Good

This week, we’re joined by Charles Coristine, president and CEO of LesserEvil, who spoke about the better-for-you snack brand’s turnaround from industry outcast to a vertically integrated platform that emphasizes gross margin and innovation. Within our conversation, he explained why he leans on retail buyers to guide product development and why he’s a proponent of “failing fast and falling forward.”

Nixie Sparkling Water Marks First Year With New Flavor Launch

Organic flavored sparkling water brand Nixie has introduced a new Strawberry Hibiscus flavor this week to “perfectly encapsulate those last two weeks in July,” said Nixie Water Founder and CEO Nicole Bernard Dawes.

Gallery: July’s New Products

As we continue to wade through the summer, beverage brands released a variety of new functional products with everything from ready-to-drink beverages supporting immune health and hydration to line extensions from CBD-brands such as Unity Wellness and Rhythm. Check out the gallery for the latest limited-releases, reformulations, brand debuts and more.

Review: Twrl M!lk Tea

Twrl M!lk Tea is a plant-based milk tea that is made with premium ingredients and nitro-infused. The product line features three flavors, including Original Black, Hojicha Roasted Green Tea and Supreme Jasmine. 

Ex-Dairy Execs Launch Japanese-Inspired Plant Milk

Launched this month by two former dairy industry executives, Yoi is taking a gut-health approach to plant-based milk through a slow-cultured combination of nut and seed milk. The inspiration behind the brand’s culturing techniques are also tied to its name; meaning ‘good’ in Japanese, Yoi made its debut at local San Francisco farmers markets and is now on the shelf at 20 independent grocers in the Bay Area.

KDP: Guidance Raised After Positive Q2 Report

Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) is raising its annual guidance from 4% to 6% to 6% to 7% after seeing broadly positive momentum in its Q2 2021 earnings report, the company announced today. Net sales during the quarter rose 9.6% to $3.14 billion and adjusted operating income grew 8.3%.

Following ‘Retooling’ and Expansion, Urban Remedy Raises $18M

Banking on increased trips out and about as COVID recedes, ultra-fresh meal, snack and beverage producer Urban Remedy is doubling down on a strategy to grow sales via its branded kiosks. It’s a move that CEO Paul Coletta says allows the company to achieve better margins, grow faster with less capital investment and puts the company on “path to profitability.”

Nielsen: Overall Sales Slow As Volumes Shift Back To On-premise

Non-alcoholic beverage sales continue to slow down, but remain positive with a 3.7% increase over the two-week period ending July 17, 2021 on a year-over-year basis, according to an analysis of Nielsen data by Goldman Sachs Equity Research. Volumes continue to shift back towards the on-premise channel during this period which is inclusive of the July 4th holiday while sales climbed 16.4% on a two-year stack basis (last year’s report of the same period began July 5).