Jones Soda Co., a craft soda manufacturer, announced a new food service division that expands the iconic brand beyond retail grocery to bars, restaurants and other full-service, quick-service, eating and drinking organizations.
The new division is led by industry veteran Victor Petrone, managing director of food service/hospitality at Jones, with redistributor Dot Foods, broker Green Nature Marketing, and small format retail broker Ignite Brand Advisors as partners. The One Group, STK Steakhouse, and Kona Grill restaurants nationwide are the first to add Jones to their menus, with more food service operators to come.
“Jones brings a unique product to food service that can't be matched. Fans of our brand have long asked that we offer Jones at their local eateries and bars," David Knight, CEO of Jones Soda, said in the announcement. “Our partnerships with Dot Foods, Green Nature and Ignite Brand Advisors lay a strong foundation for our expansion to food service, with Victor's in-depth expertise at the helm. STK and Kona Grill with a national footprint are incredible restaurants to launch our new food service program.”
Rodd Willis, director of Natural & Specialty at Dot Foods, added in the announcement: “Dot Foods and Jones Soda share a compelling spirit of innovation and imagination in the food industry that spans decades. The legacy of the Jones brand resonates with our roots of bringing new ideas and products to the food industry. Our food service customers can now add Jones Soda to their menus.”
Nick Dionne, vice president of Green Nature Marketing, said in the announcement, “Green Nature Marketing is thrilled to partner with Jones Soda. The brand is complementary to our portfolio of premium food and beverage, and we are excited to help bring their fun, unique craft sodas to more consumers in the foodservice space.”
The new food service division at Jones Soda is the first time the company has expanded into food service. Previously, Jones was solely available at retail grocery and convenience stores, or online, including major retailers like Walmart, Kroger, Albertson's, Circle K Divisions, Kum & Go and many others, as well as the Jones Soda ecommerce store.
"We are very excited to combine the redistribution and marketing strength of Dot Foods with iconic Jones Soda for Comprehensive Operator/Distributor Growth-Programs for 2024 and beyond," added Jim Whitaker, founder and president of Ignite Brand Advisors, which brought Dot Foods and Jones Soda together at NACs in October 2023.
