Strategic Execution and Performance Drivers
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Achieved record 21% sales growth driven by deliberate cost restructuring, sharpened innovation, and expanded distribution channels.
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Attributed outperformance to strong base business velocity and faster-than-anticipated realization of price increases implemented in Q1.
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Leveraged a new partnership with Cardi B to drive the brand’s highest-ever organic social media reach and engagement since launch.
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Successfully executed a national Costco rotation, which served as a key driver for household penetration and emerging market discovery.
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Introduced new fruit-based flavors that are currently outperforming median portfolio velocities and driving significant retail incrementality.
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Implemented a comprehensive package redesign to improve shelf presence and more effectively communicate clean-label product distinctions.
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Optimized the supply chain through automation and warehousing efficiencies, resulting in a 370-basis-point improvement in selling expense as a percentage of net sales.
Outlook and Strategic Assumptions
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Raised full-year net sales guidance to $170 million–$175 million, factoring in Q1 strength balanced against K-shaped economic uncertainty.
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Anticipates Q3 will be a high-growth period due to the strategic shift of promotional and marketing dollars to coincide with peak summer demand.
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Expects the planned discontinuation of the tea line to impact overall top-line growth by approximately 1 to 1.5 percentage points.
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Projects full-year adjusted EBITDA between negative $2 million and negative $4 million, incorporating an $11 million total headwind from fuel and aluminum costs.
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Assumes gross margins will remain roughly in line with Q1 levels, with slight pressure expected in the second half of the year.
Risk Factors and Structural Adjustments
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Identified $6 million in new incremental costs, with two-thirds attributed to surging fuel prices and the remainder to fuel-related aluminum spikes.
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Recorded $2.3 million in litigation expenses during the first quarter, impacting general and administrative costs.
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Planned $1 million in restructuring costs for Q2 related to the strategic relocation of a distribution center.
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Noted that while $20 million in costs have been removed over two years, additional savings of $3 million–$5 million likely won’t materialize until late 2026 or 2027.
Q&A Highlights
Strategic impact and budget for Cardi B brand partnership
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Management confirmed the partnership is within the existing 2026 budget and utilizes a shift in promotional timing rather than incremental spend.
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The collaboration focuses on an ‘always-on’ social media strategy and a major summer advertising campaign to expand the user base.
