Arlington Capital Advisors

September 9^th, 2024 – MOTH Drinks (“MOTH”) secures investment from venture capital firm Beringea in a capital raise totalling £4.6 million, as it grows its team, expands its footprint in the UK and continues its foray in the USA.

MOTH is one of the UK’s fastest growing premium RTD brands. The brand, which now holds a 70% share of the super premium category in UK Grocery, has been growing consistently since its launch in 2021. 

Arlington Capital Advisors acted as MOTH’s exclusive financial advisor on the transaction.

Read announcement by Beringea here .

March 25, 2024 – BuzzBallz, the iconic spherical ready-to-drink cocktail brand, has announced an agreement to partner with global spirits company Sazerac to further accelerate its growth in the US and internationally.

BuzzBallz LLC (dba Southern Champion) was founded by Merrilee Kick in 2009 as a result of her master’s degree thesis project and has remained woman-owned and family-operated. The award-winning BuzzBallz portfolio includes a wide array of flavorful pre-mixed cocktails produced in spirits, wine and malt-based formats. The brand has grown rapidly, achieving distribution nationwide in the US as well as 27 countries internationally.

“The entire Arlington team, from Vann all the way down, was connected to us and ensured the success of this exciting transaction. Unlike other advisors, they knew the industry and key players, and they delivered the perfect strategic partner for us. They fought for us, worked long hours, explained key areas of concern, and made it easy to get this deal done. I highly recommend them for anyone working in consumer goods, and especially the beverage industry,” said Merrilee Kick, Founder and CEO of BuzzBallz.

Vann Russell, Founder and Managing Director at Arlington Capital Advisors said, “Merrilee and the Kick family have built an amazing business, and we are thrilled to have advised them on this exciting partnership with Sazerac. We look forward to seeing the BuzzBallz brand continue to reach new heights.”

Arlington Capital Advisors acted as BuzzBallz exclusive financial advisor on the transaction.

Read full press release here.

January 19, 2024 – Wachusett Brewing has been acquired by Smuttynose parent company Finestkind Brewing in a deal that will unite two legacy New England craft brewers. Founded in 1994, Wachusett became a household name in Massachusetts, with its renowned fruit beers and lively brew yards; one at its brewery in Westminster and another in Worcester. In addition to its own portfolio, the company has also produced for other well-known craft brands including Montauk Brewing.

“This is the second time we have sold a beverage business with the team at Arlington. They are of the highest integrity and brilliant at strategy, follow through and confidentiality. If you are looking for the best there is no need to look any further,” said Bret Williams, a beverage industry veteran who acquired a stake in Wachusett in September 2020.

Arlington Capital Advisors acted as Wachusett Brewing’s exclusive financial advisor on the transaction.

September 5, 2023 – The well-known German specialty beer retailer Bierothek has formed a strategic partnership with the Haus Cramer Group, one of the largest brewery groups in Germany and known for its Warsteiner beer. Bierothek operates a network of specialty beer bottle shops and has also built a highly innovative digital online marketplace, which can reach 250 million consumers across Europe.

“We have very ambitious goals regarding the expansion of our digital business in Europe. We have already made cross-border direct sales of alcoholic beer legally possible and now want to roll out this novel sales model on a large scale,” says Bierothek founder Christian Klemenz, explaining the background to the Haus Cramer Group’s investment.

Arlington Capital Advisors assisted Bierothek as the strategic advisor in the transaction.

Read full press release here.

September 18, 2023 – SERVED, the award-winning ready-to-drink brand, co-owned by British popstar Ellie Goulding, has formed a strategic partnership with Heineken to accelerate its growth in the booming “ready to drink” (RTD) category.

SERVED was created by brothers Dean and Ryan Ginsberg and Ellie Goulding in 2020, and has since become one of the fastest growing RTD brands in the UK.

The SERVED range includes ready-to-drink cocktails and hard seltzers, made using only the finest natural and sustainably sourced ingredients, ‘wonky’ fruit, and premium spirits.

“Ellie, Dean and I always look to work with the best in the business and Arlington is just that in the premium beverage space,” said Ryan Ginsberg, Co-Founder. “The team led by Vann and Stephan have been instrumental in helping us find the right long-term partner in Heineken as we look to build a leadership position in the wider UK RTD market together.”

Stephan Pietge, Managing Director at Arlington Capital Advisors, said “It’s been exciting to join Ryan, Dean and Ellie on their journey to build one of the highest growth beverage brands in the UK. In Heineken they have found a strong strategic partner who shares their vision and will accelerate SERVED’s growth in the booming RTD category across the UK.”

Vann Russell, Founder and Managing Director at Arlington Capital Advisors, said “Ryan, Dean and Ellie are doing amazing things with SERVED, and we are thrilled to have advised them on this next phase of their journey. In 2018 we advised London based Logan and Bridget Plant and Beavertown Brewery on their strategic investment from Heineken, and after Beavertown grew at a 75% CAGR over four years, their sale of the remaining stake to Heineken at the end of 2022. We are proud to have helped SERVED partner with Heineken as well and look forward to seeing SERVED continue to grow and flourish.”

Arlington Capital Advisors acted as SERVED’s exclusive financial advisor on the transaction.

Read full SERVED press release here.

June 9, 2023 – Donnewald Distributing Company today closed on its acquisition of Ronchetti Distributing Company. Ronchetti is a third generation beer wholesaler founded by Felix and John Ronchetti in 1914. Donnewald is an Anheuser-Busch distributor located in Greenville, IL and founded in 1965 by Bud Donnewald. Now under the ownership of Mike and Bob Donnewald, the company continues to grow its relationships with its clients and other individuals in the business. The combined business will manage over 4 million cases in volume across 18 counties in central and southern Illinois. Arlington Capital Advisors, in its strategic alliance with Bump Williams Consulting, advised Donnewald on this transaction.

May 25, 2023 – Big Drop, one of the category leading alcohol-free craft brewers, has entered into a license agreement with In Good Company, the owner of Fourpure Brewing and Magic Rock Brewing.  Big Drop has become one of the world’s most successful brands of alcohol-free craft beer since launching in 2016. The company has a strong position in the UK, but also strong traction in the attractive US market and Australia.

Big Drop has won over 100 international beer awards, including seven times World’s Best at the World Beer Awards, more than any UK brewer.  With a successful track-record of contract brewing at Fourpure in London, Big Drop sees this new partnership as an evolution of its decentralized business model that allows it to produce fresh 0.5% ABV beer anywhere in the world – locally and ethically – with minimal carbon footprint.  The licensing agreement gives Big Drop the opportunity to increase revenues, thanks to In Good Company’s brewing capacity, direct draught accounts and well-established sales & marketing infrastructure Arlington Capital Advisors assisted Big Drop as a strategic advisor in the transaction.

Read news from Big Drop here.

May 8, 2023 – E. & J. Gallo Winery’s Spirit of Gallo has acquired Fishers Island Lemonade, a female-founded beverage brand. A trailblazer in the ready-to-drink (RTD) category, Fishers Island Lemonade was one of the first premium craft cocktails to be packaged in a can. Fishers Island Lemonade (9% ABV) is positioned as a leader in the premium RTD category with its one-of-a-kind, full-flavor taste profile of barrel-aged whiskey and premium vodka. Arlington Capital Advisors served as exclusive financial advisor to Fishers Island Lemonade.

Read full press release here.

January 23, 2023 – Dash Water, the leading brand in the UK seltzer category, has completed an £8.7 million Series A funding round.  Dash Water is one of the most exciting and highest growth brands in the UK premium beverage sector, utilising wonky fruits to create delicious products with zero calories, zero sugar and zero sweeteners. The round was led by transatlantic private equity firm Beringea and also included participation from Irish rugby captain Johnny Sexton, Dash chairman David Milner and others.  The funds will be used to support Dash’s growth and expansion plans, including increasing production and distribution and investing in research and development. Dash also plans to enter new markets across Europe and increase its presence in Australia.  Arlington Capital Advisors is excited to have assisted Dash Water as a financial advisor in the transaction and support the team on their growth journey. 

Read press release here.

December 5, 2022 – Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), the parent company of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar^® and IHOP^® restaurants, today announced that it has agreed to acquire Fuzzy’s Taco Shop^® from Experiential Brands LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of NRD Holding Company. Fuzzy’s is a fast-casual restaurant concept serving Mexican favorites with a Baja twist. Founded in 2003 in Fort Worth, Texas, Fuzzy’s is a category innovator, offering a new twist on Mexican favorites at a value price point. Arlington Capital Advisors served as exclusive financial advisor to Fuzzy’s Taco Shop in the transaction.

Read full press relase from NRD Capital here.

Read full press release from Dine Brands here.