Andy Stallone

In recent years the beverage industry has witnessed a remarkable shift driven by the preferences of younger consumers. Two emerging trends, non-alcoholic spirits, and boba, have captured the attention of younger folks and are experiencing significant growth as a result. According to the article, one-third of consumers ages 18 to 24 abstain from alcohol altogether. This shift in drinking habits has paved the way for the emergence of non-alcoholic drinking options, providing consumers with sophisticated and flavorful alternatives to traditional alcoholic beverages. #DrinkingTrends #YoungConsumers #Boba #NonAlcoholicSpirits

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A powerful independent known for a balance of brands and private label. It will be interesting to see the government view on this acquisition as food inflation has been under significant scrutiny lately. While the focus is more on retail food cost, this will certainly get attention. #foodservice #independents #southeast.

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We discussed this on our latest episode of CPG Vibes, BIG BIG news from KeHE Distributors on 11/22, a new program dubbed 'AAP' (administrative allowance program). A flat 2 % off-invoice allowance for specific fees including New item intros, extra performance fees, MCBs, new item set up fees, and lumping fees. My quick thoughts: This is a step in the right direction for sure. UNFI implemented SSI which is a similar program to help brands budget for costs and fees associated with doing business with large national distributors. With all that said, these categories are pretty large and encompassing, so for all the other fees associated with Kehe that can chop down a brand's margin, will this program truly cover it? Likely not, but at least it covers some. What are your thoughts?

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THIS was an eye-opening panel about AI! Great insights from all the panelists! Carl Orsbourn Appreciate the shout-out! As I mentioned in my session, technology doesn't have to be cold and sterile, it can bring joy when cleverly implemented! FSR QSR #NextGen

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Loyalty programs are so important. Think about Starbucks program or this new CAVA program. I’ve had loyalty programs before where I bank rewards and then they disappear or can’t use them. Who could an emerging brand use to help create the best loyalty programs?

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Interesting take on the battle for consumers during months like Sober October and Dry January from Stephanie Cain 👇 Her commentary below with link in comments 🍻🥂🍹 The wine industry has launched an assault on #SoberOctober and non-alcoholic beverages as if the sole existence of the booze-less category is to put a hit against wine. With its new campaign, Come Over October, wine folks are declaring you should grab a glass instead of going sober, because wine brings people together. Instead, #wine should really be looking at their core messaging because that's why wine is declining. At the #ComeOverOctober kick-off party, I had a conversation with a salesperson of a wine distributor. He attempted to be ok with the evolution of wine by explaining that ready-to-drink, single-serve wine brand, BeatBox, marketed to the 21 to 25-year-old set, was crushing the market. He was all for it. While the brand has wacky flavors like blueberry lemonade wine, he felt that every wine consumer “starts somewhere.” It was promising to him because he said they would “continue their wine journey” and start “drinking real wine.” So many problems here but here is the big one: They don’t often continue the wine journey. News flash, wine people! Consumers don’t have time. We don’t desire it. We want to build connections, not spend the evening only discussing what we want to drink. We have jobs and travel and bills to pay and kids and dogs and aging parents and hell, we just want to buy a house. We have no job security. We have been hit with recession after recession. Right now, inflation is making our groceries cost some 40% more. You really think we are jumping at the time-consuming task of learning about wine? Get real. We’ll grab a #Martini. And start ranting. Which is exactly what I'm doing in today's The Mad Ones 👇 Link in comments. #health #wellness #marketing #alcohol #alcoholfree

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GOT SCORES? (Updated with link to PDF of full document): https://lnkd.in/enBx4WX6 Here's this year's post of all the information you need to enter wine and spirits into the competitions that matter in the U.S. market. The first question suppliers, importers, retailers will often ask is "Got Scores?" And there's only one answer to that question. Because if you say "No" the conversation can stop right there. So the procedure I recommend is for my clients to enter the competitions that make sense for your brands and hype the results that matter to the market (90+ scores, Gold/Double Gold etc.) and ignore the rest. The competitions listed here are the ones that are most recognized by the trade. And I've presented them with a key column identifying whether they accept not-currently-imported brands. Since many of my clients are just starting their U.S. market entry. That's because you'll need scores before you can even start conversations. If you can't access the link to the Excel sheet, connect with me on LinkedIn or email me a request at [email protected] and I'll send the file directly to you. Best to all for a successful O/N/D and fiscal 2025 Steve

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Great article. Partnership is really key with suppliers Highlight from article 3 Leveraging Suppliers The relationship between foodservice operators and suppliers has changed, or at least it should have. There may still be some transactional relationships, but overall operators and suppliers have truly become partners. It benefits both parties. Great communication and total transparency are a must. The consumer will not support inconsistency in the quality of a product or coming to get product and it is not available. Products must be kept in stock and if there is an issue, suppliers must communicate the issue and have a suitable back-up in place. Suppliers must also support product innovation and supply current data to support operators as they grow.

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Today, I made our first step toward getting Currently carried by 23 locations of Whole Foods Market in Florida. The process is a bit convoluted (as I'm learning many things are in wine...), but here's generally what's going to happen: -We're already an approved vendor and need to update our new Currently Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc into the Amazon vendor portal, which I did today -This process is now vendor-led, instead of distributor led, which ensures the accuracy of the information (since I won't mess it up but distributors might) -Next steps will be to schedule meetings in October with each store manager, who my Florida distributor has relationships with and update them on our new packaging, design and brand. -Because our story has continuity around environmental cause and goes farther now with being 2x lower carbon footprint and Certified Sustainable grapes, I'm hoping that will be a differentiator -There are in-store display opportunities, and I'm going to work on having our wine setup next to the oysters and seafood. Any WFM general manager selling suggestions are welcome-- I'm new to this! #wine #founderjourney #wholefoodsmarket

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The fastest-growing emerging restaurant chains are showing growth in non-obvious categories. We are often working with multi-national multi-brand groups helping with portfolio optimization, answering questions like: Where is growth going to come from? What brands in our portfolio should we grow and which ones should we divest? Should we invest in a new concept or franchise brands in any new growth concepts? Which are those? Companies across the globe are working on portfolio rationalization to improve their enterprise value in the mid- and long-term. #restaurants #emergingbrands #growth https://lnkd.in/euGyNFvS

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Shanken News Daily Impact Databank: RTDs And Tequila Resilient As Spirits Market Slows .........Tequila is another bright spot. While growth has slowed into the single-digits, agave-based spirits are expected to surpass vodka for the first time and become the industry’s largest category in dollar value terms by sometime next year. Tequila marketers are investing in innovation to keep the momentum going. Jose Cuervo, the nation’s largest-selling Tequila, recently released Devil’s Reserve, a spicy-flavored 30% abv offshoot, retailing at a suggested price of $21 a 750-ml.................... Passing Vodka????????? Thats impressive. If you arent in the tequila or mezcal game you should be. Beverage Solutions || Big Dog New York LLC can help. I think quality flavored tequilas and different expressions will be the next wave of growth within the agave category. Jose Cuervo Proximo Spirits

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Taste the Evolution: Cajun Steamer’s Fresh Take on Deep South Flavors Cajun Steamer’s new menu update is a perfect example of how even iconic cuisines like Cajun/Creole need to evolve to stay relevant. 🍤 While deeply rooted in tradition, this subtle revamp shows how paying attention to trends can keep a brand fresh and engaging for today’s consumers. It's not about abandoning heritage, but about finding the right balance between authenticity and innovation. And in case you were not aware, the 2025 World Soccer Championships are being held in the USA. There are 12 host cities and 6 of them are in the South.🎣🔥 #CulinaryTides #SuzyBadaracco #FlavorInnovation #CajunCuisine #TrendSpotting #DeepSouthDelights Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ecFncMTD

Rubix Foods has its finger on the pulse of the hottest flavor trends and brings those trends to life for roughly 70% of the top QSR and FSR restaurant brands in the nation. On the newest episode of Forktales, we’re joined by Shannon O'Shields, VP of marketing for Rubix Foods, for a sneak peek at how the company helps restaurants stay one bite ahead of the competition. FULL EPISODE: www.forktales.co #marketing #marketingpodcast #branding #brandingpodcast #restaurantmarketing #restaurantbranding #restaurantstrategy #restaurantgrowth #advertising #marketingpodcast #forktales #forktalespodcast #vigor #FlavorTrends #RubixFoods

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The National Restaurant Association Show this year had a clear and major theme – easy, impactful changes to minimize labor costs and maximize consumer spending. The shift in focus from high-end aspirational changes and million-dollar equipment to practical, cost-effective solutions seems indicative of a shift in operator needs. Innovation at its Simplest: This year's show featured more startup equipment suppliers showcasing ingenious, homemade solutions. From mop cleaners made from five-gallon buckets to devices for slicing bar garnishes, these inventions were not only affordable but also offered significant labor savings. The absence of sleek, expensive robots highlighted a critical reality: operators need to reduce labor costs but can't afford high upfront investments. If last year was the year of the robot, this year was the year of the five-gallon bucket. Doing More with Less: Cooking demonstrations pivoted from creating complicated new dishes to upskilling labor. They showcased how fewer kitchen staff could still produce high-end meals through cross-training, simple equipment solutions, and simplified recipes. The focus was on practical inspiration, like rotating garnishes and sides to keep menus fresh without needing new techniques. Enhancing Customer Experience: Bartending mixology demos shifted from crafting complex cocktails to boosting sales through simple techniques. One standout tip was for bartenders to shake a cocktail shaker full of ice water early in the evening. The sound of ice being shaken creates a vibrant ambiance, encouraging customers to order more cocktails. It's a small hack with a big impact on sales. The foodservice industry's ability to quickly pivot and address operators' needs continues to impress me. This year's NRA trade show demonstrated the industry's resilience and adaptability, showcasing relevant product offerings and sales strategies that meet current demands. The speed at which this industry evolves is truly remarkable. #foodservice #nationalrestaurantassociationshow #peergroup

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Year after year I’m impressed with the number of innovative, new beverage brands that enter the market. As always, #BevNet provides an amazing opportunity for these brands to be seen, to learn, and to network. There were so many takeaways, but here are three to share from this year’s conference: 1. If you’ve been waiting for the #Hemp-#THC infused beverage category to take off, it’s here. We saw lots of great new brands and very impressive data on sales volume and consumer demand. 2. Interesting advice from Whole Foods Market: It’s no longer enough to just present a great brand. You need a great brand with a strategic plan for success. 3. With #NIL there’s a growing opportunity to use student athletes as influencers and brand endorsers. If you’re looking to reach GenZ this is a great way to go. Thanks again to the team at #Bevnet for making every show invaluable. #beverageindustry #entrepreneur #innovation #kickstartflorida SAS Sales and Marketing

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Latest trends showing Vodka still number 1 followed by a close second is Tequila in terms of revenue. Fasted growing categories Cocktails/RTD's and then Tequila and they are also the fastest growing categories. Opportunities abound, let's help you get your Spirits participating in the growth sectors and or differentiate your positioning within your category. Either way, we can assist to take you to the next level. Experts in the Biz of positioning.

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One of our founders, Shahron Chaudhry had a great conversation and interview with the team at the UpnUp Network. In this segment Shahron talked about the vision and purpose of establishing Saanj Winery and the intentionality of innovating the wine marketplace for the new-age American. Robel Andmicael and Shahron talked about the theme of "Being Humble Enough to Prepare and Confident Enough to Perform". More specifically, when it comes to establishing a business combined with having no past skills in producing wine or running a winery, it's important to spend time deep diving and knowing that you'll need to continue to iterate assumptions to make them into reality. Check it out!

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In this video, I share with you 'how to get your distributors attention'.

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The Double-Edged Sword of On-Premise Sales for Small Liquor Brands The on-premise market, while offering significant potential for small liquor brands, comes with unique challenges related to time, cost, and inventory turnover. Securing on-premise placements often requires extensive relationship building with bar owners, managers, and beverage directors. This can be a time-consuming process involving networking, cold calling and attending industry events. To introduce a new product to on-premise establishments, brands often need to invest in sampling events, cocktail competitions, and other promotional activities including a huge investment in time make account visits. These can be costly, especially for smaller brands with limited marketing budgets and employee resources. To address these challenges, small liquor brands should consider targeting specific bar segments or regions, leveraging social media and content marketing as well as collaborating with influencers, bartenders, and other industry professionals to accelerate brand visibility and drive sales. By understanding the time and cost associated with on-premise placements, small liquor brands need to develop effective strategies to navigate this competitive market and achieve long-term success. Alternatively, a targeted spend and off premise strategy might prove more effective to meeting corporate revenue objectives.

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