BD caught up with Celsius and A Shoc during the recent NACS show in Atlanta. Celsius CEO John Fieldly said the company has embarked on aggressive plans to...
Bang Energy founder and CEO Jack Owoc appears to be proceeding with plans to launch a new “pre-workout energy drink” under a trademark “Reign.” The name was at the center of a lawsuit filed last spring by Bang parent company Vital Pharmaceuticals against Monster Beverage...
Two Years After Refranchising, Bottler Hits Stride in US
September 17, 2019
The past year has been good for Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages (CCSWB). The Dallas-based bottler, controlled by Mexico’s Arca Continental, took home the 2019 Candler Cup as Coca-Cola’s best bottler of the year globally. Before that, CCSWB was named Coke North America’s 2018 Market Street Challenge winner as the most improved bottler. And Southwest’s McAllen, Texas production plant earned a President’s Quality Award as CCNA’s No. 1 facility. The accolades rolled in just two years after Arca entered the US market as part of Coke’s massive refranchising of company-owned bottling assets in the US and Canada. In its first year, CCSWB faced Hurricane Harvey, which caused extensive flooding and damage in Houston, a key market. The bottler also faced soaring commodity costs. BD visited Houston recently for a curated market tour that served as a victory lap of sorts. The day was hosted by Coke Southwest executives including COO Jean Claude Tissot, a 21-year veteran of the Coca- Cola system in Latin America. The following recap includes images from the tour and commentary...
‘It Will Just Escalate and Never Go Away.’ ‘We’re Actually Coming Around to the Notion.’
August 9, 2019
Plastic packaging waste may now pose the single-biggest risk to profitability for the global beverage industry. Some US industry leaders have suggested behind the scenes that a national per-package fee could help fund solutions faster. But would such a proposal ever fly among some of those who will be most affected – independent US Coca-Cola and PepsiCo bottlers? To find out, BD asked...
SpikedSeltzer creator turns to CBD beverage market. Wants "bad actors" taken out by FDA. Advocates regulatory framework.
June 28, 2019
Dave Holmes created an alcohol beverage category by founding and developing SpikedSeltzer, which he sold to Anheuser-Busch in 2016. Now his ambition is focused on the burgeoning hemp-based CBD...
Plus, Gatorade ‘Not Shying Away from CBD’ as Possible Ingredient
June 28, 2019
Gatorade SVP and GM Brett O’Brien gave BD an exclusive look this week at PepsiCo’s new Bolt24 hydration beverage (BD 5/21/19). The product will begin shipping in time for a July 10 launch tied to ABC’s ESPY athlete awards. Bolt24 is...
A fast-paced collection of recent news from around the non-alcoholic beverage industry so you go into meetings prepared. Also a great way to feel the industry pulse.
Dirty Lemon Parent to Add Investment and Owned Brands
June 7, 2019
Dirty Lemon parent company Iris Nova is looking to expand its text-based “conversational commerce” distribution platform to outside brands. The company is negotiating distribution deals with at least two as-yet unnamed brands to be announced this year, Iris Nova CEO Zak Normandin told