Keurig Dr Pepper and La Colombe partner
by CM staff
Equity investment by KDP paired with long-term agreements for the sales and distribution of La Colombe ready-to-drink coffee and licensing of La Colombe K-Cup® coffee pods
BURLINGTON — Keurig Dr Pepper Inc., and La Colombe partner through a long-term sales and distribution agreement for La Colombe ready-to-drink coffee and a long-term licensing, manufacturing and distribution agreement for La Colombe branded K-Cup coffee pods. Keurig Dr Pepper will also make an equity investment in La Colombe, enabling KDP to participate in the value creation upside expected from the partnership.
La Colombe is an independent coffee company that serves consumers across multiple channels, including the retail trade, branded cafes, foodservice and direct to consumer.
Under the long-term sales and distribution agreement, KDP will sell and distribute shelf-stable La Colombe RTD coffee beverages in KDP’s direct store distribution network, which is expected to drive meaningful growth in the brand’s availability across these mainstream retail channels. In addition, KDP will manufacture, sell and distribute La Colombe branded K-Cup coffee pods, under a license agreement, in the U.S. and Canada.
KDP will make a cash investment in La Colombe of $300 million, in exchange for a 33 per cent ownership stake in the company, making KDP the second largest investor in La Colombe behind its majority owner and Chairman, Hamdi Ulukaya. La Colombe plans to use the proceeds to accelerate growth and pay off debt. KDP’s investment in La Colombe represents a multiple of approximately 3.0X estimated 2024 consolidated net sales.
“We are excited to partner with Hamdi and the La Colombe team to drive value for both companies,” said KDP Chairman and CEO Bob Gamgort. “This partnership will enable KDP to expand its reach into high growth ready-to-drink and super premium coffee segments and will meaningfully increase La Colombe’s availability to consumers.”
The transition of La Colombe ready-to-drink coffee distribution to KDP will begin in late 2023, while the launch of La Colombe branded K-Cup pods will occur during 2024. The equity investment, which is subject to regulatory approval, is expected to close by the end of the third quarter. KDP expects the partnership to be modestly accretive on a full-year basis, beginning in the back half of 2024.
Advisors on the deal for KDP included Guggenheim Securities LLC and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. La Colombe’s advisors included Blank Rome LLP.
