Timothy Tucker

This is what maturity in a market looks like. New High Functioning Podcast episode drops this week with Benjamen Mccabe McCabe, COO of Sweetgrass Botanicals ➡️ Full episode goes live Friday, Sept 12th at 11 AM EST In this clip, Ben explains how every new market starts with low-end products, then shifts as people demand higher standards. That shift makes solventless the natural evolution, the cleanest process that gives the most direct expression of the plant. 👇 Links and more are in the comments.

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Succeeding in today’s competitive beverage market requires a full-view analysis of the beverage alcohol and beer industry – one that brings together On- and Off-Premise data for a complete, unified market perspective. At this year’s National Beer Wholesalers Association's Annual Conference, join Andrew Hummel, Director - Beverage Alcohol, North America, and Kaleigh Theriault, Director - Beverage Alcohol Thought Leadership, as they present: Zoom Out, Win Big: Giving Your Team a Full View of the Total Beverage Alcohol Market. Attendees will receive an exclusive first look at new analysis to challenge industry myths—combining scan, panel, and On Premise insights. As consumers continue to moderate their beverage alcohol consumption, understanding the total industry landscape is more critical than ever. This session, tailored for beer distributors, will explore: -Navigating both On- and Off-Premise channels -Uncovering growth opportunities in a shrinking volume market -Deploying Beer First tools to complete the sale 📍 Attending National Beer Wholesalers Association Convention & Trade Show? Stop by and connect with Drew and Kaleigh in person to dive deeper into the insights and tools that can help your team win big. #TheFullView #Beer #BeverageAlcohol #OnPremise #Distribution

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To cap off a wild week of beer and alc bev distribution news, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits is making another major acquisition. It will buy Eagle Rock's Colorado biz, a 13-mil-case nearly statewide AB house that also sells Sazerac and many other brands. Eagle Rock entered CO just 5.5 yrs ago when it acquired AB's branch, and proceeded to invest a lot of money building a new warehouse, revamping an existing one and building out its portfolio. But after AB sent an intensive market evaluation team to CO last Jun, 9 months later, this sale to SGWS is the ultimate result. This is the 2nd AB distrib deal announced for SGWS to buy an AB distrib just this week, following its deal for Long Island, NY-based Clare Rose. Between those two and AB's former NYC branch purchased last fall, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits will have bought about 22 mil cases from 3 AB distribs in short order. https://lnkd.in/epd8_M5z

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Modelo and Corona beer importer Constellation Brands recently cited weakening demand among its core Hispanic demographic as a reason to lower its net sales guidance. Similarly, last month, Jack in the Box reported a Q3 same-store sales downturn of 7.1% citing a noticeable drop in Hispanic consumer spending. These executives noted “uncertain” environments for Hispanic shoppers in an era where the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is intensifying efforts to deport undocumented immigrants. Nevertheless, there’s another clear reason why these shoppers are pulling back their alcohol and fast-food consumption: Hispanic Americans are making decisions at retail and foodservice that benefit their overall health and wellbeing, more so than any other U.S. demographic. This isn’t new: a study in 2021 found that only 7.7% of Hispanic adults smoked cigarettes compared to the national average (11.5%). Now, these shoppers are clearly purchasing deeper in health-focused, functional categories. This shift has the potential to revolutionize the better-for-you food and beverage industry, worth roughly $653 billion in the U.S., while also harming brands that lack a healthy angle. Plus, we’re likely to see similar statements from other businesses that deal in indulgent categories.

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🍺 State compliance ≠ federal compliance. Here’s a California-specific rule that catches a lot of breweries off guard: 👉 In California, if a beer is above 5.7% ABV, the alcohol content must be stated on the label. Below that threshold? Federal rules apply — and ABV disclosure is optional. This isn’t a federal TTB rule. It’s a state-level labeling requirement that sits on top of federal compliance. Why this matters in practice: A label can be federally compliant and still be non-compliant in California Breweries expanding distribution often discover this after labels are printed Fixes mean rework, delays, and wasted inventory This is exactly the problem we’re building RegPath to solve: Not just “is this label COLA-ready?” But “is this label compliant everywhere you plan to sell it?” State nuance matters. Thresholds matter. Details matter. 🍻 www.regpath.io

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What does the U.S. meat industry outlook for 2026 really look like? From tightening beef supplies and record-high prices to the impact of tariffs on U.S. beef prices, the coming year will challenge producers, processors, and retailers alike. Our latest article breaks down key trends—production forecasts, tariff-driven trade shifts, and how consumer demand for value, convenience, and sustainability will shape the market. What strategies are you prioritizing to stay competitive in 2026? Share your thoughts below! https://lnkd.in/e4xYAhVb

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Krispy Krunchy Chicken Partners with Cumberland Farms For Florida Expansion https://lnkd.in/eZwidj69 Krispy Krunchy Chicken is teaming up with EG America's Cumberland Farms to expand across the Florida panhandle, starting with the Santa Rosa Beach store opening September 22, 2025. The partnership will bring the popular hot food concept to multiple convenience store locations, strengthening the brand's national presence.

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Texas Roadhouse just gave the most honest retailer brief I've heard all year. Their beverage director, Brian Lebredo, described their ideal beer customer with surgical precision at the Vibe Conference this week: "He's 38. His name is 'John.' He drives a Chevy. Has half a year of college and half a kid. And he likes yellow beer." John isn't browsing the menu. He already knows what he wants. Your job is to serve it ice cold. That consumer clarity shapes everything. Texas Roadhouse runs about a 10% restaurant margin — and 40% of that margin comes from the beverage program. That's the math behind every tap handle decision they make. Brian's test for new brands is simple: "The most expensive beer we have is the one that's not moving. So I need stuff that flies." What does earning a placement actually look like? Brewers get 18 months to prove it. The Coors Original story is instructive. Molson Coors reps worked individual stores, built local velocity from the package shelf, moved the brand into draft, and earned the national menu placement from the ground up. Not from a pitch deck — from sell-through data. The biggest miss for most suppliers is showing up to an operator conversation without knowing who the operator is serving. John doesn't want craft. He doesn't want a story. He wants ice cold, affordable, and familiar. Brands that understand that have a runway right now. Brands that don't are competing for space they were never going to hold. Who's doing the operator-consumer homework this well in your market?

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Chick-fil-A’s 11-year dominance in the QSR space indicates it's getting something right in terms of customer satisfaction; meanwhile, sales rates slip, foreboding a tenuous period for foodservice operators: https://lnkd.in/eTvuQNnN #customerservice #fastfood

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Trend expert Andrew Fordyce and insights from RATIONAL USA experts Billy Buck and Jonathan Hunt reveal five key developments shaping the future of food in the US:  🍜 Asian cuisine is booming — from Korean BBQ to Vietnamese pho. 🥬 Fermented foods are back, offering flavor and health benefits. 💸 Value meals are returning as consumers seek more for less. 🐛 Insects as protein are gaining slow but steady traction. 🌱 Sustainability is now a business imperative, not a niche concern.

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Getting an Importer is tough. But that's only the first step. Most brands sign a deal and assume the importer will do the job. It doesn't work like that. I advocate for a bottom-up strategy: understanding the city and assigning wholesalers and importers. It starts from the end. Brands are built bottom-up. https://lnkd.in/e7vQSBXx

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Episode 100 of Automatic Merchandiser & VendingMarketWatch's Vending & OCS Nation podcast... Coming Tuesday - Key questions to ask and answer before you sell your business https://lnkd.in/ga7Y_2_i According to business broker Mike Kelner, the M&A market for convenience services is red hot. Valuations are higher than ever. It’s a good time to be a convenience services operator and with these market conditions, many operators are pondering their options for 2026. Mike Kelner, owner of VBB Advisors, said he has learned over the years that selling a business is as much a psychological and life-planning decision as it is a financial and transactional one. In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation, host Bob Tullio sat down with Kelner and asked him to talk about the key questions an operator needs to ask before finding the exit door. The podcast discusses part 5 of Kelner’s M&A Best Practices series, written for Vending Market Watch. The first four parts of his series, available at vendingmarketrwatch.com, were focused on Preparation Valuation Marketing Negotiation Part 5 looks at the psychological side of a deal - Key questions to ask before you sell your business. For any operator who is considering a sale in 2026 or beyond, it’s a thought-provoking listen, as Kelner shares those questions and the answers he receives from operators.   Special thanks to Linda Becker, Bill MacRae, Kylie Hirko, Brittany Duncan and Jennifer Stephens. #vending #micromarket #coffeeservice #mergers #businessbroker #sales #businesssale #nama #valuations #businessadvice #vendingmarketwatch

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The Hershey Company: The Margin Recovery Is Happening Inside the Supply Chain 🍫⚙️ • Cocoa shock distorted margins — timing, not execution • Productivity & automation are the bridge to recovery • 2026 margin expansion is operational, not cyclical 🗣️ CEO Kirk Tanner: “Our AAA Program has generated over $300 million in net savings over the past two years.” 🗣️ CFO Steve Voskuil: “We’ve invested a lot in agility, automation, a lot of cross-border opportunities. And so we’re going to continue to optimize the supply chain part of this.” 🗣️ VP MFG & Supply Chain Will Bonifant: “Digitizing Lean gives our teams real-time visibility and accelerates problem resolution on the plant floor.” ⬇️ Full supply-chain deep dive linked in the comments Follow Alphasumer for no-fluff insights on how operators turn cost shocks into earnings #CPG #FoodAndBeverage #Earnings #Stocks #ConsumerStaples #SupplyChain #ConsumerGoods #Operations #Cocoa #CostManagement #Resilience #Leadership

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The premium cigar landscape is evolving, and cigar lounges across the country are feeling the impact. Once dominated by legacy brands and large distributors, the market is now being reshaped by boutique cigar companies that bring authenticity, exclusivity, and stronger profit potential to retail partners. For lounge owners focused on growth and retention, boutique cigars are no longer optional. They are essential. Today’s cigar consumer is more informed and adventurous than ever. Aficionados seek unique blends, compelling brand stories, and limited production cigars that offer an experience beyond the ordinary. Boutique brands meet this demand through small batch craftsmanship, innovative flavor profiles, and a sense of discovery that keeps customers engaged. Unlike mass produced cigars, boutique offerings create conversation. Customers ask for them by name, return to purchase again, and bring friends to try them. This behavior increases foot traffic and repeat visits, the lifeblood of a successful lounge. Higher Margins and Faster Turnover Boutique cigars often provide stronger margins than large corporate brands. Without heavy marketing overhead, boutique companies can offer competitive wholesale pricing while maintaining premium retail value. This creates a powerful revenue dynamic. Lounges earn more per stick while benefiting from faster turnover. When customers perceive a cigar as exclusive or hard to find, they are more likely to purchase immediately, improving sales velocity and humidor performance. The Power of Brand Story One of the greatest advantages boutique brands bring to lounges is story driven marketing. Customers do not just buy cigars. They buy into the narrative behind them. Drunk Chicken Cigars exemplifies this advantage. As a woman owned boutique brand founded by Desiree Sylver, the company stands out in a traditionally male dominated industry. Its bold identity, memorable name, and commitment to quality create a strong emotional connection with consumers. Lounge owners benefit from this built in conversation starter, encouraging engagement and loyalty. Demand That Starts Before the Lounge Boutique brands like Drunk Chicken Cigars generate consumer demand before customers enter the lounge. Through social media, influencer partnerships, and owner led messaging, the brand encourages smokers to request Drunk Chicken Cigars at their local lounges. The lounges that thrive today are those that embrace change. Boutique cigars represent a shift toward experiential retail, higher margins, and customer driven demand. By partnering with brands like Drunk Chicken Cigars, lounge owners gain access to products customers seek, stories that spark engagement, and revenue opportunities that extend beyond the humidor. In a competitive market, differentiation is everything. Boutique cigars deliver that differentiation and are proving to be the key to sustained growth and profitability.

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Distribution just sped up and a lot of brands are about to feel it. Pernod didn’t wait. They pulled out of RNDC and reshuffled the map overnight. Southern, Reyes, Johnson Brothers,everyone’s grabbing territory. Here’s the part nobody wants to say out loud: If you’re sitting on RNDC in those states and you haven’t made the call yet, you’re already behind. 60 to 90 days of chaos is coming. Rep turnover. Account gaps. Missed placements. And while that’s happening, the big three are locking in control. At the same time Tequila’s getting dragged through lawsuits. EU volumes are soft. And one warehouse glitch just cost retailers a peak season. This isn’t noise. This is the shift. My take: If you don’t know exactly who’s moving your product by June, you don’t have a plan. I break it all down in today’s DrinkUP Podcast Daily Industry Brief. Make the call this week. Truthfully, Sam #beverageindustry #distribution #drinkup #alcoholindustry #salesstrategy

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