Bill Mote

Very insightful episode! Amber Bradley Ryan Bauss, CFI

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The Adult Non-Alc space is fascinating. As it evolves I think we’ll see some stratification between the functional ingredient beverages and the alcoholic beverage analogs with no functional ingredients. I think the route to market and consumer demand segment will end up being very different for these two distinct categories. I think there’s a bright future for both. What do you think?

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Edenesque CEO, Leslie Woodward, moves headquarters to Buffalo following support from Launch NY : “Woodward and her company’s HQ have both relocated to Buffalo, where the company will be closer to its new contract manufacturing partner, Elmhurst Dairy, Inc., and its main distribution partner, Sonwil Logistics | Sonwil Transportation. The company is sold in retail stories throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan, has a presence in corporate offices such as Calvin Klein and Estée Lauder, and is sold at restaurants and cafes in New York City. Edenesque products will hit the shelves at Whole Foods Market this Fall, and it is planning a marketing blitz that coincides with its reemergence on the market. Edenesque’s chef-crafted, plant-based dairy products provide uniquely superior nutrition to enable its customers to thrive and Be the Love™ — nourishing themselves, their communities, the environment, and their local economy. Edenesque is also participating in the University at Buffalo’s Cultivator accelerator program. Edenesque’s goal is to be a $15 million company within five years.” Edenesque’s #BaristaBlend & #Unsweetened #OatMilks are distributed by Hudson Harvest , Odeko , Premier Perk and ,local specialty grocery stores , https://expcorpusa.com/ Foodservice , Workplace & On-The-Go! Sales & Distribution: LaRon.Batchelor@Edenesque.com https://lnkd.in/eZGFyXYC

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- What is Tastry? 🍷 Tastry is an AI-powered virtual focus group that provides real-time visibility on the evolving consumer preferences across the U.S. We help wineries optimize production and increase sales using AI. - How does the partnership with Republic National Distributing Company work? 🤝 Wines are promoted in real time as buyers search for new products or replacements for out-of-stock items. Buyers are recommended your wines based on their most unique and competitive features and can make more confident purchasing decisions. - Why join the Sales Accelerator Program? ☑ We offer you exposure to RNDC’s growing network of retail buyers and through TastryAI, over $2,500 in advanced chemistry insights, and a window into flavor profiles, consumer preferences, and optimal pricing. You’ll also receive customizable marketing materials to showcase your wines’ unique qualities. ACTION: Message me directly and I will help you get started ▶ #wine #winesales #wineindustry #tastry

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What an incredible couple days at The Beverage Forum! It was a privilege to hear from industry giants like Gavin Hattersley; game changing retailers (Tom Brennan of Casey's, Jesus Delgado-Jenkins of 7-Eleven, and Phil Markert of Albertsons Companies to name just a few); and inspiring brands like BeatBox, poppi, The Equitea Co., and so many more. There were a few recurring insights across the panels that resonated with what I've seen launching a new beer brand: 1. The importance of authenticity. This has to go beyond just the brand message and must be reflected in how the brand shows up at retail, how it makes its product, and how it speaks to consumers, regardless of channel. 2. The need to meet your consumers where they are. We're all busy, and convenience is key. If it's too hard to get a product (it's chronically out of stock, it's not in the expected channels, the packaging makes consumption too hard), fans, no matter how rabid, will opt for substitutes. 3. The increasing pace of innovation. Consumers are demanding variety and retailers are shifting their models to provide that. New brands have ever smaller windows to prove they have a right to stay. 4. Packaging is paramount! We learned this the hard way at EIGHT Brewing Co. As a new brand, your packaging has to work hard at retail - not only invoking the brand, but communicating your value proposition to potential consumers quicky and effectively. Thanks to the entire LA Libations team for putting on such a great event. I'm already looking forward to next year! In the meantime, here's Robert Downey Jr., co-founder of happy™, commenting on the mind-blowing competitiveness of the beverage industry.

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Ready to step into the world of franchising? Don't miss our essential guide on the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)—your roadmap to understanding the finer details of a franchise opportunity. Our latest blog breaks down the importance of the FDD, helping you navigate its complexities with ease and confidence. Discover how to leverage this critical document for making informed decisions that align with your business goals. Dive in to safeguard your future in franchising! #franchise #franchiseopportunity #franchiseopportunities #franchiseconsultant #franchiseconsulting #entrepreneur #business #money #franchiseeducation

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Besides loving this story in the The Wall Street Journal just for what it is (https://lnkd.in/eW9sj8qX), this is just one more indicator of a macro movement toward slow entertainment or drivers suggesting consumers are looking for possibly a little less sensory stimulation. We're seeing trends toward quiet vacations, bars focused on reading or vinyl, articles on the benefits of slow progress at work. This is a clear countertrend to the high sensory impact experiences that were driving foodservice and other industries (fashion, beauty, architecture) for the past few years. I expect this trend will continue well into next year give the intensity of this year's presidential election and ongoing tumult internationally. How can your brand provide consumers the solace and peace they are looking for? #menumattersllc #trends2024 #consumerbehavior #foodandbeverageindustry #restaurants #foodservice #insights #innovation

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⁉ Question: Do you care that a large portion of the meat we eat in the United States come from foreign state backed monopolies? ⁉ Hogs 🐷 (that's where bacon comes from). The largest owner and processor is Smithfield | China Beefs 🐮 --> Brazil based JBS and National Beef Packing are the big barrons there 📣 📣 Austin Frerick and John Kempf drop some knowledge on the topic in this quick, easy and informative podcast 📣 📣 Everyday we have the choice to bury our head in sand or get JUST A LITTLE more educated so we can make decisions that help create the world we want! https://lnkd.in/eUwzYCdu #RegenerativeAgriculture #SustainableFarming #FoodSystem #SoilHealth #ClimateSmartAg #Agroecology #CarbonFarming #FoodSecurity #FarmtoTable #OrganicFarming #Biodiversity #SustainableFood #HealthySoil #AgTech #CircularEconomy #ClimateAction #EnvironmentalSustainability #CommunitySupportedAgriculture

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As promised in my previous post here’s a quick explanation of Strategic Sweet Spot. It is that space in which you (the company/restaurants) are able to satisfy customer needs either: 👉 Better 👉 Cheaper 👉 More personalized & customized 👉 Conveniently 👉 or Differently from your competitors. It's the intersection of three key areas: Customer Needs: Understanding what your target audience wants and delivering it in a way that resonates with them. Competitive Landscape: Outperforming or offering a better alternative compared to your rivals. Capabilities: Leveraging your unique skills, resources, and experience to create a competitive advantage.

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Having worked with winery owners for over 30 years, I've observed a common pitfall known as the "peanut butter spread" process, where costs are allocated broadly and often inaccurately, leading to missed profit opportunities. Through meticulous costing of bulk and bottled wines, my clients gain a comprehensive understanding of their true production costs, broken down by vintage, varietal, and bottling. This detailed approach empowers businesses to make informed pricing decisions, ensuring that each wine is priced appropriately to maximize profitability. If this resonates with you, I invite you to schedule a call using the link below. We can discuss how my expertise in wine costing can support your business objectives and ultimately boost your bottom line. #wine #winebiz #winecost #wineindustry

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Headline not matching the accompanying story I’m afraid. Jon Moramarco calls the data “muddy” at best. My own impressions are that many wholesalers have cut their post-pandemic inventories by reducing SKU counts. This by extension disadvantages the smaller producers who consume as much staff time as the larger ones and often sell products with less predictable sales trajectories. There are advantages to marginalising smaller producers both in staff time and capital, but large producers have the power to dictate their wholesaler’s inventory levels sometimes under the threat of pulling their lines with potentially devastating consequences. Wholesaler inventory levels are not necessarily an indicator of the health of the market or consumer behavior.

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A double earnings/sales beat, raised guidance in many meaningful categories, and new product new news for CAVA makes for a great quarter. In fact, very few other brands--only a handful-- are doing as well. A new brand regarded as cool by guests and employees and the right kind of executive management and food has been evident for years now. The IPO seems to have supercharged attention and momentum. The discussion about the calendar adjusted SSS and traffic and the two year stacked SSS number warrants a note. While the 10Q P&L necessarily focuses on change from prior year, we are almost certainly wrong focusing on that number. We as an industry can and must spend more time on 2 year and even five year stacked numbers for better MD&A. CAVA did today. Their disclosure changed the tone. Thank you Brett Schulman.

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