Having built (and dominated) the U.S. RTD Yerba mate category since launching in 1995, Guayaki has enjoyed a strong market position from which to plot further moves that play to the company's strength of weaving together advancement of its social mission with progress on its business goals. And now they'll be doing so under new leadership. 

Robyn Rutledge, a member of the company's Board of Directors, was announced this morning as the company's Interim CEO, as the "comprehensive search" for a new permanent chief executive kicks off following the exit of current boss Stefan Kozak, who had been in the role since 2021. 

In a statement shared with BevNET, Guayaki praised Rutledge as a "highly successful investor and operator with more than two decades of experience in food, beverage, wellness and other segments of the consumer industry." After starting her career at Goldman Sachs, Rutledge has since founded and run investment and advisory firm SBG Growth and served as a partner at PE house TSG Consumer Partners.

"With her deep understanding of our business as a board member since 2020, we are delighted to have Robyn guide the company," said Guayaki co-founder and chairman Chris Mann. "Her leadership will play a pivotal role in building our brand, product innovation, and broadening our reach through expanded distribution."

At the time of Kozak’s appointment, we noted that the ex-Red Bull CEO was “an experienced beverage industry veteran” with a track record of growth in the energy category. Today Mann thanked him on behalf of the Board for his “many positive contributions,” particularly in “building our team and critical infrastructure."

Rutledge -- and the eventual permanent CEO -- will step into a healthy and growing business; dollar sales for Guayaki's canned and bottled teas were outpacing the category at +6.7% ($148 million) through August 31, per Circana data covering MULO plus c-store. The brand's reach continues to grow via DSD partnerships nationwide, the most recent coming with Polar Beverage New England.

Overall, yerba mate's profile seems to be on the rise, boosted by its use as a natural caffeine source for energy RTDs like CLEAN Cause, Yerbae and Yachak (to name a few).

Whether it’s traditional staples of roasted turkey, buttered mash & pumpkin pie or more trendy options like fried turkey, cranberry bourbon sauce & jalapeno chili mash, flavor is the key element. A new holiday flavors guide from the flavor experts delivers tasty inspiration for the holiday season. Learn more

Beverage co-packer DrinkPAK is adding more manufacturing muscle with the announcement of the upcoming launch of two new locations representing a combined investment of over $450 million and covering more than 2.8 million sq. ft. of total real estate.

📐 The first production plant, a 1.5 million sq. ft. location dubbed DP2, will feature four production lines and one variety packing line with capability to produce energy drinks, sodas, waters, hard seltzers, canned cocktails, milk and milk-alternative beverages (i.e canned cold brew and oat milk-based drinks). 

🚛 The second facility, DP3, covers around 1.4 million sq. ft. and is set to go live in 2025. 

👷🏼‍♂️ The new plants will supply 1,000 full-time jobs in the Dallas-Fort Worth region by 2026. That's just under double the amount of employees (550) at DrinkPAK's primary facility in Santa Clarita, California, which is capable of pumping out around 2.1 billion cans per year.

Market research firm Circana is projecting an increase in food and beverage volume sales for 2024 as headwinds like inflation and poor consumer sentiment are expected to ease in the coming months.

📈 The new report predicts that food volumes are likely to rise around 1% next year with dollar sales growing around 2.5%. Beverage sales are anticipated to outpace food, at a probable 2% to 3% volume increase and +3% to 5% dollar sales increase.

🤑 While the average consumer is facing lower savings and higher prices, many of the headwinds in the economy stand to benefit food and beverage. For example, the average cost of a restaurant or takeout meal is around four times the price of home meal prep, leading to a boost for retail.

⚡ In beverages, protein and energy drinks are expected to see some of the strongest growth as consumers – specifically Gen Z – seek out functional benefits and are more eager to try new products and brands.

🍞 In food, the deli aisle is expected to outperform in 2024 while bakery, refrigerated, general food and produce are looking to be “on par” with 1% food sector growth. Frozen and meat are on pace to underperform, however.

Read the full article on BevNET

“Sip, Sip, Sip, Coconut Wata” might be the new jingle repeating in your head as coconut water brand 100 Coconuts has partnered with dancehall reggae legend Buju Banton. The brand is featured prominently in the musician’s new music video and on the beverage maker’s social media accounts.

🤝 Details of the deal were not available but the coconut water brand has partnered with welterweight boxer Carlos Barrios and professional basketball player Jaime Jaquez Jr. recently to be brand ambassadors. 

⬆️ The brand came to Expo East this year as it expands into the c-store channel after launching two new flavors in June: Pure Coconut Water with Mango and Pure Coconut Water with Pineapple.

Boost Water Category growth with VOSS. We attract valuable shoppers and elevate basket value with our iconic bottle and ultra-pure taste. From Still to Sparkling and Enhanced, VOSS has an offering for every channel and occasion. Learn more

In the latest new spirits roundup, Tamworth Distilling unveils a wilderness-inspired smoked trout brandy, Heaven’s Door announces the newest addition to its Bootleg Series and Chicken Cock partners with headwear brand The Ampal Creative. 

🐟 Smoked trout brandy, anyone? Tamworth Distilling has you covered with its House of Tamworth Saison De Frai, a limited edition expression that as a distillate from sustainably smoked brined Riverence Trout. 

🇲🇽 Latin-owned and female-operated mezcal producer Yola has expanded its portfolio with the addition of its sipping Mezcal de Pechuga (45% ABV).

🚪 At age 82, the irrepressible Bob Dylan is still cranking out music and whiskey via his Heaven’s Door label, with Bootleg Series Volume V, an 18-year-old straight bourbon whiskey finished in Spanish vermouth rouge casks, being the latest release. 

Read the full story on BevNET

East Coast grocery retail giant Ahold Delhaize is offloading its NYC-based e-grocery business FreshDirect to Turkish grocery delivery startup Getir in an effort to focus investments on its omni-channel businesses.

⏩ Ultra-fast grocery delivery company Getir is hoping to grow its U.S. presence through the acquisition and said it will incorporate its technology and operational footprint with FreshDirect to offer faster services to its customers.

🏢 FreshDirect customers won’t experience any major changes as a result of the transaction and will continue to be served by their local delivery teams and operate from its Bronx HQ.

📈 Ahold – the parent company of grocery chains Giant Food, Hannaford and Food Lion – released its Q3 earnings results alongside the deal announcement – reporting that net online sales increased by 6.4%, fueled by “double-digit growth at Food Lion and Hannaford.” 

💭 “This was a difficult decision, especially given FreshDirect’s rich history in the New York City area,” said JJ Fleeman, CEO of Ahold Delhaize USA, in a press release. “However, our strength as a grocery retailer in the U.S. is the true omni-channel experience."

Wondering what is up with online grocery delivery? Read the full story on BevNET