Food & Beverage Talk by Morgan & Westfield

Show Summary: This episode focuses on an AI agri-tech startup aimed at helping the produce industry increase profitability and sustainability. David Kat discusses how Neolithics' technology allows for non-destructive testing of fruits and vegetables to assess quality and taste without damaging the produce. The technology aims to align the interests of all players in the food value chain, significa...

Show Summary: Jonathan Gardner, a seasoned deal maker with extensive experience in strategic sourcing, discusses the importance of relationships and value-add services in the food and beverage industry. He shares insights from his tenure at Starbucks, Dell, and GM; stresses the significance of leveraging technology, such as AI and machine learning, to enhance procurement processes and improve cost...

Show Summary:   Geoff Coltman, Senior VP at Catena Solutions, discusses M&A integration in the food and beverage sector. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the human element and the "why" behind decisions. Geoff highlights the challenges of maintaining regular communication and the need for open communication and partnership with organizations to ensure successful change management. He...

Show Summary: For this episode, withhold judgment on genetic engineering and listen to this hands-on, honest look at the benefits of GMOs and genetic engineering. Dr. Zack Abbott is a microbiologist and pioneer in the world of genetic engineering with the world's first genetically engineered probiotics. He is on a mission to elevate the conversation about GMOs, diving into how the human microbiome...

      Show Summary:  Rich Kottmeyer, investment banker and food and agriculture turnaround specialist shares his extensive knowledge of M&A activity and growth potential in the food and agriculture industry. This complex industry is experiencing fundamental changes driven by consumer preferences, technological advancements, and global conflicts. This is leading to new avenues for investments, and...

Show Summary: Marc returns to discuss the twists and turns you can expect as an entrepreneur. Early in  2020, Marc was ready to sell his company for a whopping $80 million, but then COVID hit, and the deal died. In this episode, Jacob and Marc discuss the interesting journey he has taken since then, a journey that includes a merger, an acquisition, an oversight with large repercussions, and a bran...

View the complete show notes for this episode. Let's talk spirits in this engaging discussion of all things whiskey. Charlie Rodman, a venture capitalist and whiskey expert, shares his knowledge of the spirits industry, emphasizing the importance of finding the right product for every individual. He discusses the intricacies of whiskey distillation, including grain sourcing and maturation in oak b...

View the complete show notes for this episode. "If you build it, they will come" is an expression that applies to starting a company as well as a baseball field. Thinking about what buyers want and avoiding the pressure to sell in a specific timeframe can help you increase your company's value when the time comes to sell. With 25 years in M&A in the wine and spirits industry, Guillaume Thomas help...

View the complete show notes for this episode. What You'll Learn M&A Evolution:  Learn about the M&A transactions that resulted in the formation, growth, sale, and reformation of two multi-million dollar companies. ASME Certification:  Insights into the challenges involved in working with international suppliers and the importance of confirming valid certification.  Cannabis Industry:  An overview...

View the complete show notes for this episode. What you'll learn: F&B Oversight: An overview of the key regulatory agencies involved in food and beverage manufacturing and how to ensure compliance, including FDA, USDA, FTC, and state-level requirements. Innovation: How new drugs and technologies are impacting consumer preferences and forcing industry innovation. Due Diligence: Common legal issues...

View the complete show notes for this episode. Connecting with consumers is key to building effective product positioning. Kathy Guzmán Galloway offers expert advice on how to identify and avoid three major pitfalls to branding and positioning an F&B product. She discusses effective branding, establishing a strong identity, fostering memorable brand name recall, and connecting with consumers on an...

The history of alcohol in the U.S. is varied and influences the F&B sector nationwide. International business advisor and beverage industry expert Alain Barbet gives a global perspective on the alcoholic beverage industry and trends in the U.S. The discussion includes views on alcohol around the world, differences in attitude and consumption in Europe vs. the U.S., differences in regulations and d...

This interview with Koia founder Chris Hunter covers important lessons on building a company for eventual sale while prioritizing the brand and consumers. He emphasizes listening to customers over investors, navigating profitability pressures, strategic acquisitions, and the entrepreneurial journey. Want More? Related Resources:  Blackout Punch: An Entrepreneur's Journey from Chaos to Clarity  by...

This episode of  Food & Beverage Talk  gets personal in discussing the challenges of entrepreneurship and working in the food and beverage industry. Nabeel Alamgir is the co-founder and CEO of Lunchbox, a digital ordering and marketing platform specifically for the restaurant industry. He talks about his experiences with three start-ups, lessons learned from mistakes, the successes and challenges...

The agricultural industry's broad supply chain and complex distribution system feed the world. Cale Rice, VP of lending with National Bank Holdings, brings his passion and extensive experience to the table to discuss financing, banking, and the challenges that exist for the food and agricultural industry. He discusses the complexities of the supply chain, factors that impact the commodity markets,...

Iconic branding will stick in a consumer's mind for years. Presenting a consistent brand experience across every touchpoint is critical to a successful marketing campaign for any F&B product. Branding expert Alexandra Liebler shares insights on how to build brands and deliver profitable growth. She discusses building brand experience and creating emotional connections, shares insights into how bra...

Functional beverages are sweeping the markets, and the intersection between mental wellness and organic living meets at the first plant-based smoothie made from whole coconut – Genius Juice. Alex Bayer, founder of Genius Juice, discusses the evolution of his company, scalability, supply chain issues, launching a new product line, and building a sustainable business. Hear insights from this entrepr...

Chocolate makes the world go round – at least it does for Sarris Chocolates. William Sarris discusses the growth and evolution of a small family chocolate company into a major player in the independent chocolate business, Sarris Chocolates. He discusses the universal love of chocolate, the company's growth from the family's basement to a destination retail shop, the production facilities that prod...

Combining an entrepreneurial spirit with his passion for the planet and compassion for animals, Brett Christoffel is trying to make Texas the largest plant-based protein producer in the USA while creating a company that also makes money. He discusses the health benefits to people and the planet of plant-based proteins, the manufacturing process, finding the right co-packer, handling taste testing,...

If 95% of food start-ups fail, how can entrepreneurs hope to get new products into the marketplace? Bernard Verkaaik offers expert advice on the competitive challenges start-ups face, what acquirers look for when they consider buying an F&B start-up, tips on building a brand that is difficult to replicate, the importance of scalability and how often consumers replace a product, when to work with a...

Impact investing can make a difference in regenerative agriculture. Will Harris, a 4th-generation farmer in rural Georgia, talks about the evolution of the beef industry into a vertically integrated food system, the positive impacts of grass-fed beef, and the benefits to animal welfare – areas that are returning to being valued aspects of food production. Will weaves this into a broader discussion...

Research can be key to unlocking market growth for an established business, identifying new locations for growth, and highlighting the perfect franchise opportunity. Jayson Tipp has over 30 years of experience in franchising and specialty retail in the food and beverage industry. He discusses how market research data, analysis, and technology have changed over the years, how they can be used to ma...

What goes into the art of creating a wedding cake? Stephanie Chain, business owner and pastry chef of the micro-bakery Sweet Luncheonette, specializes in creating bespoke wedding cakes. She discusses the health and safety concerns that led to her emphasis on creating sugar flowers for cakes, the specifics about what goes into making custom wedding cakes, the different perspectives she has encounte...

Finding the right co-packer can make or break a CPG brand. Vince Tseng of PartnerSlate offers insights into the complex world of co-manufacturing from both the CPG and co-packers' perspectives. He discusses what co-packers and CPG brands are looking for in a partnership, shares tips on how to appeal to the right partner, talks about the impact of technology on innovations in the F&B industry, and...

The complex and underappreciated topic of production planning and supply chain optimization is the focus of this episode of F&B Talk. Lisa Anderson takes a look at the different components of production management and how they fit into the supply chain world. She discusses the steps of the production planning process, the importance of the sales forecast, common issues in the supply chain on the m...