Alfredo Chavez

Starbird CEO Greg Levin has big plans for the brand as it enters its next phase of growth. In a feature from the San Francisco Business Times, Levin shares how he plans to expand the California based chicken concept while strengthening hospitality, operations and guest experience across the system. The article offers a closer look at how Starbird is positioning itself for thoughtful national expansion under his leadership. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eG4-iEZc

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Black Friday and Cyber Monday can be exciting opportunities to save—but without a plan, they can turn into financial traps. Smart shoppers in Modesto can stretch their dollars by shopping with strategy, not just spontaneity. 💡 Here are some proven ways to shop smarter: 📝 Start with a list – Deloitte found 64% of shoppers overspend when they don’t create one. Write down what you need before opening a single app or walking into a store. 🎯 Time your buys – Adobe Analytics reports that electronics are discounted an average of 25% on Cyber Monday, while toys and games see the biggest price drops on Black Friday. Shop accordingly. 💻 Use cash-back browser tools – Consumers who use extensions like Honey or Rakuten save an average of $50–$100 per holiday season, according to Statista. 🚨 Don’t fall for “limited-time” pressure – NerdWallet found 45% of “doorbuster” deals aren’t unique at all and appear year-round. Compare prices before clicking purchase. 📊 Set a spending cap – Americans are projected to spend over $1,500 on holiday shopping in 2025 (NRF). Decide in advance how much fits comfortably into your budget—and stick to it. This holiday season, don’t let impulse buys overshadow your savings goals. The best deal is the one that fits your budget, meets your needs, and brings you peace of mind. #ModestoCalifornia #Modesto #CaliforniaLife #ILoveModesto

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📦 Distribution shift in California's RTD market: Patco Brands, the company behind Rancho La Gloria and other private label beverages, is moving its California distribution to California Beverage Solution starting August 1. A strategic step for one of the leaders in wine-based RTD products. https://lnkd.in/gJd5DTuk #RTDdrinks #BeverageIndustry #AlcoholicBeverages #DistributionNews #CaliforniaBusiness

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Regal Wine Co. and Provi Expand Strategic Partnership to Power Seamless B2B Alcohol Order Management Across California Today, Provi and Regal Wine Company, one of California’s leading distributors of fine wines, announced an expanded partnership to strengthen digital order management and trade marketing capabilities for licensed retailers across the state. “Retailers today expect ease, transparency, and speed,” said Matt Conneely, General Manager at Regal Wine Co. “Our ongoing partnership with Provi allows us to meet those expectations while giving our sales team the tools to focus on strategic growth and education.” The collaboration reflects Regal Wine Co.’s investment in innovative tools that streamline communication, ordering, and trade marketing. Through Provi’s platform, buyers can easily explore Regal’s diverse portfolio, access real-time product information, and manage orders all in one place. “We’re proud to deepen our collaboration with Regal Wine Co., a distributor that exemplifies both heritage and innovation,” said Taylor Katzman, Founder and CEO of Provi. "With the shifting distributor landscape in such a large and critical market, we are excited to be able to offer retailers a clear path to distributed products that satisfy consumer demands. Provi's further integration into the California market benefits stakeholders across all tiers of the beverage alcohol ecosystem." Read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/ewJ3wHdy

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What’s ahead for California avocado season? West Pak’s Joe Nava, Vice President of Sales & Business Development, joins fellow industry leaders in AndNowUKnow | The Snack’s California Avocado SnackChat to share insights on what to expect. From locally grown fruit to in-store execution, the season brings strong opportunity for retailers. Read the full feature: https://lnkd.in/gw9uMkj8 #CaliforniaAvocados #WestPakAvocado #AVO360 #RetailStrategy #FreshProduce

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Oddball raises $2M as it enters nearly 180 Whole Foods stores. 💼🛒🍇 The seed round was led by Springdale Ventures, backer of brands like Goodles and Feastables, as the jelly snack startup scales distribution and readies new products. The Whole Foods rollout spans the Northeast, Southern California and Southwest, building on traction at Sprouts. The zero-sugar, agar-based fruit cups modernize a nostalgic format; “shoppers are returning to stores... discovery happens in the aisle,” said founder and CEO Sophia Cheng. With roughly 500 doors today, the brand signals a major footprint lift heading into 2026. https://lnkd.in/gqyuefRf #CPG #FoodAndBeverage #Retail #NaturalProducts #BetterForYou #WholeFoods #FoodStartup #VentureCapital

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Santatera Capital #Invests $1M in Clean #SnackBrand Sunnie Amid #Booming Healthy #FoodMarket #LosAngeles-based #clean label snack brand #Sunnie has #raised $1 million in #funding from Santatera Capital, #marking a #significant step #forward in its #growth journey. The #brand was #cofounded by Katy Tucker and Lisette Howard in 2020 and has #rapidly #expanded its #footprint in the better-for-you #foodspace. Ashu Agrawal | Sunnie | Santatera Capital | Katy Tucker | Lisette Howard #Sunnie #SnackBrand #Funding #Growth #FoodMarket

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B2B Merchandise Fulfillment: A Complete Guide for Growing San Diego Businesses In San Diego’s fast-moving business world, branded merchandise is more than a giveaway—it’s a growth tool. From surf shops to breweries to expanding franchises, the right apparel, uniforms, and promo items help brands stand out, unify teams, and connect with customers. But producing and distributing merchandise at scale can overwhelm even the most organized business. That’s where B2B merchandise fulfillment becomes essential. At Soulkal, we don’t just print logos—we operate from our “why”: to strengthen the bonds between people, brands, and communities. We believe merch should be more than fabric and ink; it should create belonging, pride, and connection. Our fulfillment solutions help San Diego businesses grow without losing sight of what matters most—people. What Is B2B Merchandise Fulfillment? B2B merchandise fulfillment manages your branded goods from design to delivery—handled by one trusted partner. Instead of juggling vendors or last-minute orders, you gain a streamlined system that scales with your business. The benefits: • Consistency: Every team or franchise stays on-brand. • Scalability: From 100 to 10,000 units, fulfillment adapts. • Efficiency: Free your team from logistics. • Professionalism: Every delivery builds trust. Why San Diego Businesses Need It San Diego’s business scene is thriving, but growth brings complexity. Reliable fulfillment keeps brands consistent and organized. • Franchises & Multi-Location Brands: Centralized fulfillment keeps every site aligned. • Small Business Expansion: As you grow, your merch program grows with you. • Local Connection: Soulkal understands San Diego’s culture, designing merch that feels authentic to both teams and customers. How Soulkal Brings Fulfillment to Life Our purpose is to help brands grow by helping people feel connected. That drives every part of our B2B process: • Design & Production: Screen printing, embroidery, and custom goods that spark identity. • Warehousing & Inventory: Store with us and ship on demand. • Shopify Portals: Branded online stores for easy team or franchise access. • On-Demand Fulfillment: Agile solutions for events or seasonal needs. • Community Focus: We live our “why,” building stronger brands and communities. The Bottom Line Whether you run a brewery in North Park, a startup in Carlsbad, or a franchise in La Jolla, your merch strategy impacts your brand and bottom line. With Soulkal’s B2B fulfillment, San Diego businesses can: Save time and reduce stress Keep branding consistent Scale confidently Build loyalty through meaningful merchandise Let’s Build Your Brand Together At Soulkal, we believe merch is more than a product—it’s a connection. Let us help you turn apparel and promo items into tools for growth, loyalty, and culture. 👉 Partner with us today and discover how merch that works—and works for you—can move your business forward.

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Next week I’ll be at Expo West (Natural Products Expo West) in Anaheim. Every year, I’m blown away by the innovation in CPG — incredible founders, smarter formulations, sharper positioning. But here’s the reality: + Awareness doesn’t equal velocity. + Beautiful booths don’t guarantee sell-through. + Retail placement alone doesn’t drive expansion. Consumers do. The brands that win coming out of Expo aren’t just the most talked about, they’re the ones with a plan to reach consumers directly, drive trial, and create momentum one sample at a time. No trial. No sales. No sales. No expansion. Velocity is the story. Depletions are the proof. Scale is the outcome. At Attack!, we’ve spent 25 years building performance-enabled sampling programs that don’t just create experiences — they create segmented velocity and demographic saturation. If your goal is: • Driving real consumer trial • Building measurable retail momentum • Increasing velocity in priority markets • Turning placement into pull-through Then Expo is just the starting line. If you’re in Anaheim next week and serious about scaling — let’s connect. What trends are you most excited to see on the floor this year? #ExpoWest #CPG #ConsumerTrial #RetailVelocity #FieldMarketing #ExperientialMarketing #sampling #streetteams #mobiletours

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West Coast growth continues. 🌉 Slim Chickens has signed a 6-unit expansion agreement in Northern California with Roper Foods, an existing franchise partner currently operating two locations with a third in development. This expanded commitment reflects continued confidence in the brand’s performance, flexible formats, and ability to scale in high-demand markets. We’re proud to support the Roper Foods team as they grow their Slim Chickens footprint across Northern California — and excited for what’s ahead. https://lnkd.in/gDyj8JV6

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The energy at Expo West Day 1 is always unmatched. With CPG and natural products brands converging in Anaheim, this is where industry trends get real momentum. Looking forward to seeing how brands are innovating around clean label and functional ingredients this year. #expowest2026 #CPG #naturalproducts

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The Specialty Food Association is officially sunsetting the Winter Fancy Food Show after 49 years and replacing it with a new format: Winter FancyFaire* 📍 Here in San Diego 📆 January 11–13, 2026 For anyone in CPG, retail, foodservice, distribution, or food media — this isn’t just a new event, it’s a signal. Trade shows are evolving because attention is evolving. Buyers are overwhelmed. Shelf space is tighter. Differentiation is harder. The brands that win increasingly combine: taste story values supply chain reliability clear category fit And events need to help make those connections faster. FancyFaire* is explicitly shifting from expo to experience with things like: • immersive demos • neighborhood tasting trails • trend reveals & sofi™ winners • buyer activations • media & chef integrations • citywide programming It’s acknowledging that discovery doesn’t just happen at booths anymore — it happens in context, in culture, and in narrative. From an operator/founder POV, this makes a ton of sense. Retail buyers don’t just want samples — they want signal: → Which categories are breaking out → Which values actually move velocity → Which brands can scale nationally → Which ingredients fit future trends → Which products de-risk the category And from a retailer POV, these trends matter well before they hit Whole Foods, Erewhon, Costco, or Kroger. Specialty food has quietly been one of the most resilient consumer sectors with high consumer willingness to pay, strong gifting comps, and cross-category innovation (coffee, chocolate, snacks, condiments, beverages, non-alcohol, functional, etc.) So the format shift is smart. Curious to see how this affects: • emerging brands vs legacy brands • DTC to retail migrations • regenerative & values-driven producers • supply chain transparency • distributors & brokers • trendsetting vs trend-following • retail buyer workflows • city partnerships around events San Diego gets the inaugural year, then SF in 2027. Feels like the future of specialty food is getting more experiential. If you’re attending (or thinking about attending), especially as a founder, buyer, distributor, or investor, I’d love to connect. Message me and let’s make time in San Diego.

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LibDib and The Beverage Blueprint Partner to Support California Makers with Merchandising and Chain Services - LibDib, the leading web-based wholesale alcohol distributor, today announced a new partnership with The Beverage Blueprint to support wine, spirits, no- and low-alcohol brands seeking distribution in California. This partnership offers full-service merchandising and chain retail support for Makers with existing business, as well as a tailored “à la carte” solution for brands transitioning from traditional distributors. https://bit.ly/4k00NNo

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Behind the Brand Story | 30 Years of CPG Experience: Avoiding the Pitfalls | Amplify Summit, Newport Beach Most entrepreneurs don’t fail because of bad ideas. They fail because they haven’t seen the movie before. At the Amplify Founderverse Summit in Newport Beach, I sat down with Michael Law of Eagle Labs, Inc. to talk about why experience matters when developing consumer products — especially in wellness and supplements. Michael brings 30+ years in consumer packaged goods. If you’ve ever walked through a CVS, there’s probably not an aisle he hasn’t touched - on the sales or marketing side, across multiple categories, grounded in real consumer research. What that experience delivers isn’t ego - it’s clarity. Michael has seen: • What works • What breaks • Where founders overcomplicate • And where the biggest (and most expensive) pitfalls hide That’s what makes Eagle Labs such a strong partner for entrepreneurs. They don’t just help you make a product - they help you ask better questions, avoid costly mistakes, and stay focused on delivering true consumer benefit. If you’re CPG-curious, thinking about launching a product, or already in-market and feeling stuck, I’m happy to make an introduction to Michael and the Eagle Labs team. More Behind the Brand Stories coming soon - filmed where ideas turn into action. #BehindTheBrand #AmplifySummit #CPGExperience #CPGCurious #Entrepreneurship #ProductDevelopment #WellnessBrands #EagleLabs #FoundersJourney

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You spent months sourcing the best California almonds or AAA-grade coffee beans. You designed a beautiful pouch. You launched with pride. But 30 days later, the complaints start rolling in. The crunch is gone. The aroma has vanished. The product feels "stale." What happened? You fell for the "Pretty Pouch" Trap. 🪤 In the world of premium food, your biggest enemies are invisible: Oxygen and Moisture. 🫧 Most new founders choose a pouch based on how it "feels" in their hand. But a pouch isn't just a bag; it is a barrier system. If you choose the wrong material or a stock pouch your product is literally "breathing" the outside air. The Two Numbers Every Founder Must Know: 1️⃣ OTR (Oxygen Transmission Rate): This measures how much air leaks into your pack. If it’s too high, your coffee oils oxidise and turn bitter. 2️⃣ WVTR (Water Vapour Transmission Rate): This measures how much moisture seeps in. This is exactly why your crispy Makhana or dry fruits turn soft and rubbery. I see many startups using Basic Poly (LDPE) or Single-layer structures because they are inexpensive and "look fine." Without a high-barrier layer—like Metallised Polyester or specialised EVOH—your shelf life isn't 6 months. It’s 3 weeks. You aren't saving money; you are killing your brand's reputation. At Nexibles, we don't just print designs; we engineer barrier structures. Whether you use Digital Printing for a small test batch or scale up for retail, we ensure your laminate structure matches your product’s chemistry. Coffee? You need a high-barrier one-way valve and light-proof layers to lock in the aroma. ☕ Dry Fruits? You need high WVTR protection to maintain that signature "snap." 🥜 The Authority Take 🏆 A customer might forgive a late delivery, but they will never forgive a stale product. Stop choosing your packaging based on the "Quote." Start choosing it based on the Shelf Life. I’m Prassad Narkhede. I help founders protect their hard work with packaging that actually performs. 🚀 👇 Founders: Have you ever faced a "stale product" crisis? How did you solve it? Let’s learn from the "soggy" stories in the comments. Please note the image is Ai generated* #FoodPackaging #D2CFounders #CoffeeBrands #DryFruits #Nexibles #ShelfLife #QualityControl #PrassadNarkhede #StartupIndia #FMCG

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