Taste Radio

Red Bull vs. Kroger Is Bigger Than Energy Drinks

Kroger is drawing a line on pricing — and some of the biggest brands in CPG are finding themselves on the wrong side of it. We dig into the retailer's standoff with Red B

The Blueprint For A CPG Hero

Scaling a CPG brand isn't just about finding more ways to grow – it's about knowing which opportunities are worth pursuing. Hero Bread is taking on some of food's most

The Big Opportunity In Overlooked Categories

The most overlooked aisle in the grocery store may be ripe for reinvention. Riff is betting on it. We dig into the new shelf-stable meal kit brand launched by Sir Kensing

From $2M To $24M In Three Years. Why Katie's Is Thriving.

Building a thriving CPG brand wasn't Katie Lee's plan. It was a crisis response that evolved into a national business. When the COVID-19 shutdown threatened her four St

What Goodles' $500M Acquisition Says About CPG Innovation

This week, we dig into Barilla Group's acquisition of Goodles and how the mac and cheese brand's success reflects growing demand for better-for-you versions of familiar,

Five Brands Shaping CPG's Next Wave

In the latest episode of Taste Radio's Elevator Talk, leaders from five emerging CPG brands -- Tamarind Heads, Cozy, Samsara, Jöey Nordic Seed Crisps and Nadas Empanadas

Keurig Dr Pepper's Former CEO Has A Beefy Take On Growth

What if the smartest growth strategy for your CPG brand is to stop chasing growth? Larry Young spent nearly 50 years in the beverage business before trading corporate b

Is It A Trend Or A Distraction?

How do you know when a trend is an opportunity – and when it's just a distraction? In CPG, the pressure to add protein, fiber, adaptogens, nootropics and every other bu

Replay: After The Caulipower Sale, Gail Becker's Words Hit Differently

Caulipower's sale to Urban Farmer in November 2025 marked the latest chapter in one of the most remarkable founder stories in modern CPG.  Before the acquisition, the c

The Private Opportunity That Could Be Worth Millions

As inflation, margin pressure and shifting consumer behavior reshape the CPG landscape, private label is having a major moment — and brands need to decide how they'll res

Why Her 'Cheeky' Strategy Is Paying Off

The fastest way to find out if your strategy holds water? Put it in the market.  For more than a decade, Cheeky Cocktails has built a following with premium syrups and

When Raising Millions Starts With A 'FirstLook'

What does it take for an emerging CPG brand to go from promising to investable? Brian Folmer, founder of FirstLook and FirstLook Ventures, offers a behind-the-scenes lo

How A Veteran VC Sizes Up Five Early-Stage CPG Brands

The latest episode of Taste Radio's Elevator Talk spotlights emerging leaders from Gold Crush Cocktails, Roadie Brew, Ample Hydration, Pesche and Gingerbug, who introduce

A Front-Row Seat To One Of CPG's Hottest Cities

Chicago's CPG scene is thriving, and we got a taste of it firsthand. Fresh off our latest Taste Radio meetup, we spotlight the city's vibrant brand community and sample

Do Consumers Give An F About Functionality?

Functionality is everywhere – but are consumers buying the benefit or seeing right through it?  This week, we dig into the rise of protein- and fiber-enhanced snacks fr

Threading The Future: Five Emerging Brands To Watch

The latest episode of Taste Radio's Elevator Talk spotlights emerging leaders from Oddball, The Spice Drops, Good Greed, Little Twists, and Gamsa Foods, who introduce the

A Whisper Away From A Billion: Ken Sadowsky On What's Next

What makes a brand worth betting on? Ken Sadowsky, affectionately known as "The Beverage Whisperer," returns to Taste Radio with a sharp look at where the biggest oppor

What Are The Most Fundable Concepts In Food & Beverage?

Even in a tough fundraising market, investors are still writing checks. The question is: to whom? This week, we break down the latest CPG investment data and examine wh

What Betting On Brands Taught Darren Rovell About Building One

The best founders know that great products don't win on their own. Investor, entrepreneur, and longtime business journalist Darren Rovell joins Taste Radio to share the

PepsiCo Is Paying Attention. Are You?

Consumer expectations are changing fast, and brands of every size are being forced to adapt.  In this episode, we discuss what PepsiCo's response to GLP-1s and inflatio