Gallo Backs Montucky, Kristen Bell Joins PLEZi 🧃

GM and Happy Thursday, folks. Here’s what we’re getting into today:

• All Things Butter scores funding 🧈

• Doughlicious raises £3.5M 🍪

• Grown Alchemist x Equinox 🏋️

• Three Wishes expands into granola 🥣

• Goodles heads to Walmart 🧀

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Deals 💰

Mergers & Acquisitions 

• Gallo, a leading supplier of wine, spirits, and RTDs, is entering the beer category via a strategic investment in Montucky Cold Snacks. Founded in 2012 by Chad Zeitner and Jeremy Gregory, Montucky has grown from 130,000 cases five years ago to nearly 1 million cases in 2023. Gallo has been incredibly busy lately. In addition to investing in Condesa Gin last month, they recently acquired Fishers Island Lemonade, Bev, and Hahn Family Wines. PR Newswire

• PANOS Brands acquired Santa Barbara Smokehouse, a producer of smoked salmon. Earlier this year, PANOS purchased Tessemae’s out of bankruptcy. PR Newswire

• French spirits firm Pernod Ricard is in talks to sell its Australian wine division for around $500M AU. Accolade, the 2nd largest wine producer in Australia, is in the mix. The Drinks Business

Fundraising

• All Things Butter, a UK-based purveyor of premium butters, secured £2.2M in seed funding. The round was led by Access Industries, a global investment firm, with additional participation from Active Partners and a number of angel investors. All Things Butter was co-founded by chef Thomas Straker and Toby Hopkinson. FoodBev

• Actress Kristen Bell has joined children’s nutrition brand PLEZi as an investor and brand ambassador. PLEZi was co-founded by former First Lady Michelle Obama and produces functional, low-sugar beverages for children and families. PR Newswire

• Florida-based Splash Beverage Group scored $1.85M in debt and equity funding from undisclosed investors. Splash owns a variety of beverage brands including Pulpoloco Sangria, SALT Tequila, Tapout, and Copa Di Vino. SEC

• Doughlicious, a UK-based maker of cookie dough snacks that recently launched at Whole Foods in the U.S., closed a £3.5M funding round. The round was led by global investment firm Triple B. Their packaging is great 👇 Triple B

• Sol de Ibiza, a natural and sustainable suncare brand, raised over €370K from Bolsa Social. Sol de Ibiza was founded in 2019 and is actually based in Ibiza. BeautyMatter

What’s New 🤩

Apparel, Cosmetics, and Wellness

• Australian personal care brand Grown Alchemist is replacing Kiehl’s in Equinox locker rooms. Six products will be available in Equinox locker rooms and spas across the globe. This is a big move for Grown Alchemist since L’Occitane Group sold the brand in April. WWD

• Luxury fragrance brand Diptyque opened an absolutely stunning store on New Bond Street in London. They nailed every detail, inside and out. Wallpaper

• Brooke Shields is launching a new haircare brand for women over 40 called Commence. The haircare line will focus on thinning hair, scalp health, and collagen loss. Commence will launch in June. Happi

• FACEGYM collaborated with beauty brand ISAMAYA on a multipurpose facial massage tool called Sculpt 01. It’s badass. Highsnobiety 

• Luxury haircare brand Crown Affair is launching a new product — The Texturizing Air Dry Mousse — on May 21st. The new product will be available on their website and at Sephora. Instagram

• Popular fragrance brand Phlur has named Elizabeth Ashmun as its new CEO and appointed Linette Kim to the CMO role. Both are veterans of the beauty and wellness industries. Cosmetics Business

Food, Beverage, and Alcohol

• Better-for-you cereal brand Three Wishes is expanding into the granola category. Their granola is grain-free and contains 6g of protein and only 3g of sugar per serving. Love the vibrant packaging — it’ll be hard to miss on the shelf. Instagram

• It looks like overnight oats brand MUSH is launching a selection of squeeze packs soon. MUSH is a great on-the-go snack but it doesn’t come with a spoon, so squeeze packs are a no-brainer for the brand. Instagram

• Della Vita, the Prosecco brand founded by Delevingne sisters, is launching a non-alcoholic sparkling rosé. Beverage Daily

• Parch, a purveyor of non-alcoholic agave cocktails, launched their newest flavor — Desert Margarita. Beautiful can. Parch

• Via Carota Craft Cocktails, the craft cocktail brand inspired by the eponymous West Village establishment, launched a new range of ready-to-pour sparkling cocktails. The bottles are gorgeous. PR Newswire

• Fort Worth-based La Pulga Tequila is expanding into the mezcal category. 10/10 bottle. Instagram

• Mid-Day Squares launched its newest flavor, Crunchy Peanut. Instagram

Data 🖥️

• Swiss sneaker brand On had a stellar quarter with net sales increasing 21% to $560.9M. DTC sales grew 39%. Business of Fashion

Distribution News 🚚

• Goodles is now available at Walmart.

• Daily Crunch is launching at Target soon.

• LiveMore Superfoods launched their smoothie cups at Target.

• Clean popsicle brand JonnyPops launched at Whole Foods Market.

• Clean skincare brand GNTL launched at Credo Beauty.

• Big Mozz launched at Whole Foods Market.