Health-focused beverage company Generous Brands is making waves in the industry with its recent acquisition of kombucha brand Health-Ade for a whopping $500 million. This move adds a new dimension to Generous Brands’ already impressive portfolio, which includes popular smoothie maker Bolthouse Farms.
Health-Ade, a fermented fizzy tea, has quickly become a top-selling functional beverage brand with retail sales approaching $250 million annually. Launched in 2012, Health-Ade offers probiotics and immune-boosting antioxidants that promote gut health. The brand’s success can be attributed to its commitment to providing consumers with healthier beverage options that go beyond just taste and hydration.
Generous Brands, which was formed in May 2024 by private equity firm Butterfly, is focused on premium refrigerated beverages. The acquisition of Health-Ade will further solidify the company’s position in the market, as it will now have four fresh beverage brands under its umbrella. This diverse range of offerings spans juice, smoothies, kombucha, cold-pressed beverages, protein drinks, coffee, and alternative sodas, with total retail sales nearing $1 billion.
The acquisition of Health-Ade from private equity firms First Bev and Manna Tree Partners is a strategic move for Generous Brands. By adding Health-Ade to its existing portfolio, which includes Bolthouse Farms and Evolution Fresh, the company is able to offer consumers a wider selection of healthier beverage options. This acquisition also complements Generous Brands’ distribution deal with Sambazon, known for its beverages made with açaí fruit and other superfoods.
Steve Cornell, CEO of Generous Brands, highlighted the company’s commitment to providing consumers with innovative and nutritionally beneficial beverages. With a focus on modern nutrition trends, Generous Brands aims to meet the evolving needs of consumers by offering a diverse range of healthier beverage options. This approach not only benefits consumers but also creates momentum for the entire Generous Brands platform.
Overall, the acquisition of Health-Ade by Generous Brands signifies a significant step in the company’s growth trajectory. By expanding its portfolio of healthier beverage options, Generous Brands is well-positioned to meet the demands of health-conscious consumers and continue to drive innovation in the beverage industry.