Franklin and Sons Furthers its US Expansion Through Distribution With Sheehan Family Companies

UK-based premium tonic, mixer and soft drinks brand, Franklin & Sons, is furthering its expansion in the US, as it today announces a distribution partnership with Sheehan Family Companies.

The partnership will see Franklin & Sons drinks, including its Premium Tonic, Ginger Beer, Ginger Ale, Sparkling Pink Grapefruit, and Sparkling Guava & Lime & Club Soda, distributed across Massachusetts, Wisconsin, New York State and New York City, with a further roll-out to Virginia, as well as additional formats, planned for later this year.

Founded in 1886, Franklin & Sons has established itself as a pioneer of flavor by using only the finest, natural ingredients. In 2015, the brand was acquired by leading drinks producer and distributor, Global Brands, and was relaunched in London – where Sheehan Family Companies discovered the brand. Since then it has seen huge success and is now being distributed internationally.

With the US cocktail mixers market projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.31% from 2024 to 2032, Franklin & Sons is currently enjoying great success in the US, having recently announced another partnership with Empire Distributors across Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia and Colorado.

Keith Beattie, International Sales Director at Global Brands, explained: “This is a really exciting milestone for Franklin & Sons, which will help us to expand our footprint across key states. It’s brilliant to have two family-run businesses, Global Brands and Sheehan Family Companies, join forces to bring our pioneering drinks to bars and homes in the likes of New York, Boston, Richmond, Long Island, Upstate New York, Madison and Cape Cod.

“The US cocktail mixer category is already worth?$3.8bn, and with further forecasts for growth, the market offers huge potential for Franklin & Sons. These new partnerships with both Sheehan Family Companies and Empire Distributors provide a brilliant platform for us to introduce our drinks to a new audience, with the scale and support to match our ambition. With these foundations in place, we’re confident in establishing ourselves as a long-term fixture in the US drinks landscape.”

Tim Sheehan, President of Sheehan Family Companies, said: “We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Franklin & Sons, a world-class, premier brand with a rich heritage dating back to 1886. This exciting collaboration will allow us to introduce Franklin & Sons to a wider audience through the Sheehan Family Companies' expansive network of distributors. Consumers in Massachusetts, New York, Virginia, and Wisconsin will soon be able to enjoy these exceptional mixers.”

Franklin and Sons utilizes the services of Ramsey, NJ based Cascadia Managing Brands for its sales strategy and execution in the United States.

ABOUT GLOBAL BRANDS 

With an extensive portfolio of brands including VK, Hooch, Reef, Franklin & Sons and many more, Global Brands has a drink for every occasion.  

Global Brands was founded by entrepreneur Steve Perez in 1997. Since then, the organization’s grown to become a global producer and distributor of many of the UK’s most iconic drinks brands, as well as emerging and innovative brands new to the UK market.  

Global Brands aims to enhance moments one drinks at a time, no matter where you are or who you’re with. For Global Brands, it’s more than just a drink.