Get Adobe Flash player

Hannaford Adds Yerbaé Energy Drink to Supermarket Shelves

Yerbaé Brands Corp., a plant-based Yerbaé energy drink company, announced its expansion into 185 Hannaford supermarkets throughout the northeastern United States. This strategic partnership will make Yerbaé’s popular plant-based beverages readily available to a broader base of consumers seeking a healthier energy drink alternative. Hannaford is an American supermarket chain based in Scarborough, Maine and can be found in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and New York.

“We are delighted to partner with Hannaford and expand our reach into the northeast region,” said Todd Gibson, CEO and co-founder of Yerbaé. “This collaboration reflects the increasing demand for wholesome and sustainable beverage options, and we are excited to provide a convenient and accessible solution for customers who prioritize health and well-being.”

The partnership with Hannaford brings Yerbaé to even more shoppers who are eager to explore a delicious and mindful approach to energy drinks. Yerbaé’s presence in Hannaford stores will also create synergy with the grocer’s own commitment to providing high-quality products and supporting healthier communities. Hannaford Supermarkets will feature a variety of Yerbaé’s top selling 16oz SKU flavors which include Mango Passionfruit, Watermelon Strawberry, and Black Cherry Pineapple. All of the energy beverages are made with plant-based ingredients and contain zero calories, zero sugars and zero carbohydrates.

To learn more, join Yerbaé’s mailing list for important updates and offers: https://investors.yerbae.com

Founded in 2017 by Todd Gibson and Karrie Gibson, Yerbaé Brands Corp. is disrupting the energy beverage marketplace with great tasting, zero sugar, zero calorie beverages, Yerbaé energy drink, while using plant-based ingredients that are designed to meet the needs of the wellness forward consumer. Harnessing the power of nature, Yerbaé’s celebrity ingredient (Yerba Mate) is known to produce 196 different vitamins, minerals and nutrients that also produces caffeine.

By combining Yerba Mate, a South American herb with its premium ingredients and flavors, Yerbaé provides consumers with a no compromise energy solution. All Yerbaé energy beverages are zero calorie, zero sugar, non-GMO and gluten free.

Find @DrinkYerbae on Instagram and Facebook.

For more news about the food and beverage industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.

Papa John’s Adds Doritos Cool Ranch Papadia to Menu

Papa Johns is bringing an exciting flavor to its menu and expanding its Papadia lineup in a cutting-edge way, this time by joining forces with PepsiCo Foodservice to deliver fans a product mashup that combines its signature flatbread-style sandwich with the “cool” flavors of Doritos Cool Ranch to create the all-new Doritos Cool Ranch Papadia.

The savory new Papadia is made to order, and features Papa Johns fresh, never frozen, original dough filled with the customer’s choice of chicken, beef, steak or other fillings of their choice. The Papadia is toasted to perfection and dusted with bold ranch seasoning. Customers receive extra sauce on the side, perfect for dipping.

Inspired by the ‘piadina’ and introduced to the Papa Johns menu in 2020, the Papadia is an Italian flatbread-style sandwich that combines the original Papa Johns crust made with our fresh, never frozen dough people crave with toppings. It’s part pizza, part sandwich, making it the best of both worlds.

“At Papa Johns, flavor exploration puts us at the forefront of our menu innovation, which is why we couldn’t be more excited to bring together our Better Ingredients. Better Pizza. promise with the iconic flavor of Doritos Cool Ranch to create this limited-time Papadia,” said Kimberly Bean, VP of menu strategy & calendar planning. “Our partnership with PepsiCo Foodservice allowed us to leverage the bold taste of Doritos Cool Ranch to reimagine a specialty seasoning for the Papadia, which offers new and current consumers the ultimate chip and sandwich experience and gives them a bold taste in every bite, so delicious you’ll wish you had thought of it first.”

Beginning Monday, May 1, the Doritos Cool Ranch Papadia will be available exclusively for Papa Rewards loyalty members and will become available nationwide on Thursday, May 4. The limited-time offering will live on menus through July 23 for just $7.99.

“Doritos fans are always looking for unexpected ways to experience the flavors they love, and we are proud to deliver on just that through this collaboration with Papa Johns,” said Scott Finlow, chief marketing officer at PepsiCo Foodservice. “At PepsiCo we strive to create unique and delicious culinary offerings that go beyond the bag, and we can’t wait to hear how much fans love this twist on the classic Papadia.”

The Doritos Cool Ranch Papadia furthers Papa Johns commitment to product innovation, following the debut of the Crispy Parm Pizza earlier this year, and Pepperoni Crusted Papadia last fall.

More information about the new Doritos® Cool Ranch® Papadia can be found at www.papajohns.com.

For more information about the snack industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.

Black Rifle Coffee Appoints Mondzelewski as CMO

Black Rifle Coffee Company has appointed Chris Mondzelewski as chief marketing officer, effective May 1.

In this newly created position, Mondzelewski will be responsible for developing and executing all aspects of BRC’s marketing strategy to drive business growth and market share across all channels including direct-to-consumer, wholesale, the bagged coffee and ready-to-drink product portfolio, and retail coffee shops.

Mondzelewski brings over 20 years of consumer marketing, business and leadership experience, most recently serving as the chief growth officer of Mars’ $12B+ Global Petcare business. Throughout his almost 12-year tenure at Mars, he consistently grew his responsibilities, holding multiple marketing and business development leadership roles in which he led transformative growth and operational improvement strategies across numerous brands.

Prior to joining Mars, he held marketing roles at Kraft Foods, where he launched several successful campaigns, including the most successful innovation & campaign in recent Kraft Cheese history. Before his business career, Mondzelewski was a Marine for five years, deploying in support of Operation Desert Freedom.

“I am excited to have Chris join our team. He brings great value to the company as a marketing leader with a demonstrated track record and a strong personal connection to the military and first-responder community,” said founder and CEO Evan Hafer. “Following our successful entrance into the FDM (Food, Drug and Mass) market, the unmatched growth of our ready-to-drink coffee and the evolution of our outposts, there’s great opportunity for Chris to leverage his expertise to capitalize on our strong brand momentum. I look forward to collaborating with him and continuing our path to profitable, sustainable growth.”

In addition, BRC announced that Chief Retail Officer Heath Nielsen is leaving the company. Co-CEO Tom Davin, who has deep experience innovating retail growth strategies for category-defining brands, will assume Heath’s responsibilities.

Co-CEO Tom Davin added, “As we shared on our last earning’s call, our outposts saw notable growth year-over-year. I look forward to collaborating with Chris as we continue to optimize existing outposts and look to continue to build upon our 26 company-owned and franchise locations.”

Black Rifle Coffee Company is a veteran-founded coffee company serving premium coffee. Founded in 2014 by Green Beret Hafer, Black Rifle develops its roast profiles with the same mission focus learned while serving in the military. BRCC is committed to supporting veterans, active-duty military, first responders and the American way of life.

For news of interest to the food and beverage industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.