• 🏋️ Protein2o Refreshes Itself
• 🧭 Compass Coffee In Conflict
• ❌ Additional RNDC Lay Offs
• ✨ New Year, New Acquisitions

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In order to learn anything, you’ve gotta ask some questions. 

And as it turns out, we have a lot we want to learn about 2025. The year may be less than a month old, but with a second Trump administration set to kick off in just days – bringing to office a candidate who made tariffs and grocery inflation major topics of his campaign – there’s no time to waste in speculation. Luckily, we know some people. 

To prepare for a year that’s already feeling like a decade, BevNET & Nosh reached out to individuals from across the industry to hear their thoughts on what’s making them optimistic about the future, what’s keeping them up at night, their general impressions for the new year and how they plan on tackling (or avoiding) some of the biggest questions on their plate at the start of 2025.

In this special cross-site series, we’ll highlight experts’ insight on questions including: 

• As CPG enters the Ozempic Era, how will it impact both brands deeply invested in the trend, and also those who aren’t?
• In the aftermath of Kroger-Albertsons’ failed merger, is grocery retail primed for more big-name consolidation, or do conditions now favor alternative growth routes?  
• How seriously should the industry take President Trump’s threat of tariffs, and how are they preparing for that possibility? 
• Is grocery inflation the new normal, or are there levers that can be pulled to provide some relief? 

Plus, we asked our network for a heat check on the hottest 🔥 (or coldest 🧊, depending on where you’re standing) trends for the year ahead in both food and beverage. 

Insiders, head over to BevNET and Nosh to get a full dose of insight for this new era.

Protein2o has never wanted to fill just one niche for consumers. Now, it’s looking to make its versatility clearer than ever with a new refresh and reformulation, set to roll out next month.

• The protein hydration drink brand will debut a sleek new look on February 1, accompanied by a reformulated liquid that now includes 15-20 grams of whey protein isolate, electrolytes and 100% DV of Vitamins B5 and B6. 
• Protein2o president Andy Horrow told us that the company is mounting a new marketing campaign as well emphasizing its “2 Things at Once” positioning, including digital ads.
• The refresh will go live next month online and the updated products will be rolling out to stores, with Walmart remaining a key retail partner for the brand, Horrow said.

Check BevNET later today for the full story.

When it comes to hiring in the beverage industry, BevNET’s Job Board is the place to connect with top talent. With thousands of professionals browsing the board each month, your listing will be seen by the people who truly understand the space. Don’t miss out — post now and save $50 on each listing for a limited time!

Lawyers are keeping caffeinated this week. The co-founders of D.C. chain and CPG coffee business Compass Coffee are locked in an internal legal battle, according to a report in The Washington Business Journal. 

• Co-founder Harrison Suarez sued the company, his co-founder, Michael Haft as well as Haft’s father Robert Haft this week for forcing him out of the company and committing fraud with COVID relief funds. 
• Suarez claims that Haft concealed Compass’ ownership structure via a web of LLC. Suarez originally believed the two to be equal partners but was informed by Haft in 2021 that his ties to Compass had been severed.
• The suit also alleges the company misappropriated $10.5 million in federal Covid relief funds, using it to prepay debts and invest in bitcoin; it also claims that Haft filed inaccurate information with the SBA to have its Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiven.
• Haft said in a statement that all of the allegations are untrue. 

The second largest distributor in the U.S., Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) is laying off at least 60 members of its staff in California. 

📝 The distributor filed a notification under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act on January 7 and will be effective March 8.

🤔 The company told BevNET via email that certain roles are being consolidated, but would not disclose specifics. 

• “The changes we made involved reducing certain roles across various markets to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and align with current conditions,” wrote the representative. 

🥃 The string of layoffs at mid-tier players can create a tight funnel impacting particularly the small and craft side of the industry as suppliers are often locked into contracts but left with a reduced staff working on their behalf. 

This week the team discusses the impact of the impending TikTok ban on CPG brands and breaks down a slew of acquisitions news across food and beverage. 

🍋 Starting with Spindrift, the team runs through why the PE-led acquisition is not too surprising while riffing on how the flavored sparkling water brand has helped develop the category.

🌺 Simple Mills has a new owner in Flowers Foods. Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous explains how the better-for-you snack brand fits into Flowers’ baked goods portfolio.

🤝 Why is Advent International adding condiments to its portfolio with the purchase of Sauer Brands from Falfurrias Capital Partners? You’ll have to tune in to find out. 

⚡ And later, hangover remedies converge with clean energy drinks as Safety Shot projects growth by adding yerba mate drink brand Yerbae into its mix.

Click here to listen to this week’s episode.

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