Industry Issues
Tropicana Brands Group taps Paul Chibe as CEO
Tropicana Brands Group (TBG), Chicago, announced the appointment of Paul Chibe as CEO. Glen Walter will remain with the company in an advisory role through the end of the year.
Frédéric Stévenin, co-managing Partner at PAI Partners and Chairman of the Board, TBG, commented: “We are excited to welcome Paul as TBG’s new CEO and look forward to working with him to build the company’s next chapter of growth and value creation. Paul’s experience driving growth through innovation, adapting to a dynamic consumer landscape and integrating complex operating environments will be impactful at TBG. We want to thank Glen for his leadership during TBG’s transition as a standalone company.”
Chibe brings more than 25 years of consumer goods and beverage industry leadership experience to TBG. He most recently served as CEO of Pabst Brewing Co., one of North America’s largest privately held brewing companies. Previously, he was president and CEO of Ferrero North America, U.S. chief marketing officer at Anheuser-Busch InBev, and held senior leadership positions at Wrigley.
“Joining TBG is an incredible opportunity to lead a portfolio of some of the most beloved brands in the beverage industry,” Chibe said in a statement. “It’s that brand equity coupled with a commitment to quality, and talented team that provides a strong foundation for growth. I look forward to working together to accelerate innovation and capture new opportunities across the evolving beverage landscape.”
Marengo joins Volio Imports portfolio
Volio Imports, New York, a leading national importer of premium Italian wines, announced the addition of Marengo to its growing portfolio of Italian producers.
Founded and operated by Marco and Jenny Marengo in La Morra, Marengo is a household name in Barolo, celebrated for crafting elegant, expressive Nebbiolo, the company says. For more than 35 years, Marengo’s wines have garnered a devoted following in the United States. The estate’s small but distinguished holdings encompass just under eight hectares, including 1.2 hectares in the coveted Brunate cru and one hectare in Bricco delle Viole – two of the most iconic vineyards in Barolo, it adds.
“We’re thrilled to welcome the incredible wines of Marco and Jenny Marengo to the Volio family,” said Charles Lazzara, founder and CEO of Volio Imports, in a statement. “Their dedication to quality, site expression, and integrity mirrors Volio’s values perfectly. Marengo’s wines are timeless, classic Barolo — a reflection of family, tradition, and place.”
With the addition of Marengo, Volio continues its mission to connect passionate producers with discerning wine lovers across the United States, celebrating the diversity and craftsmanship of Italy's most prized regions, it says. Inventory will be available mid-November 2025, it notes.
In The News …
TreeHouse Foods Inc., Oak Brook, Ill., and Industrial F&B Investments III Inc., an independently managed investment subsidiary of Investindustrial VIII SCSp, announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which TreeHouse Foods will be acquired by Investindustrial in an all-cash transaction for a total enterprise value of $2.9 billion. “TreeHouse Foods has been executing a strategy to become a focused snacking and beverage private brand leader with depth in categories, attractive long-term prospects and an agile operating model. Our agreement with Investindustrial, a leading European investor with a strong track record in food manufacturing and related sectors, will provide shareholders with immediate cash value, at a substantial premium,” said Steve Oakland, Chairman, CEO and president of TreeHouse Foods, in a statement. “I am incredibly grateful to the entire TreeHouse Foods team for helping us reach this milestone, and we look forward to partnering with Investindustrial to position TreeHouse Foods for continued success in its next chapter.”
Pecana, Austin, Texas, has officially gone national with Walmart, launching in 3,800 stores and online at Walmart.com this November. Pecana’s expansion includes new placements at Natural Grocers, Harmons and Sprouts Farmers Market (Texas), alongside its recent national launch with Walmart, bringing the brand’s footprint to nearly 4,500 stores nationwide ahead of the holiday. “Growing up on my family’s pecan farms, I saw firsthand how special this ingredient is,” said Kortney Chase, founder and CEO of Pecana, in a statement. “With Pecana, we’re not only elevating a Southern staple but redefining what nut milk can be: rich, real and rooted in American agriculture.” This expansion follows Pecana’s 2024 retail debut at top grocers across Texas, California and New Mexico, including H-E-B, Erewhon, Albertsons and Whole Foods.
Nashville, Tenn.-based Enliven, the market leader in beverage strategy and vendor negotiations, announced the appointment of Kelly Dolan as director of strategic Partnerships. Dolan brings more than 20 years of experience in sales, account leadership, and business development, with deep expertise in client relationship management, complex account leadership, contract negotiation, and retention. She spent 16 years in the food and beverage industry with PepsiCo and the Tropicana Brands Group, where she managed multi-million-dollar brands across both beverage (Pepsi, Tropicana, Naked Juice, Gatorade) and food (Frito-Lay, Quaker). In her new role at Enliven, Dolan will ensure clients receive world-class service, benefit from Enliven’s best thinking and strategy, and realize lasting value from beverage partnerships well beyond the initial deal. Additionally, she will play a key role on the company’s new business team, focusing on prospecting and nurturing relationships with future partners, the company says.
FRUGA, Miami, officially landed in the Sprouts Farmers Market Innovation Set. This curated Innovation Set is Sprouts’ way of testing and supporting emerging brands that are better for you. Crafted with real fruit, prebiotics, vitamins, and antioxidants, FRUGA brings a new kind of refreshment that is made to support digestive health and immunity, so you can feel as good as it tastes, the company notes. “Seeing FRUGA at Sprouts is surreal,” said FRUGA founder Alan García in a statement. “We have poured our hearts into this brand, and now we want everyone to come visit Sprouts, grab a can, and celebrate this moment with us. Being part of the Sprouts Innovation Set is a huge opportunity for FRUGA to show what we are made of.” FRUGA also is debuting its brand-new Passion Fruit, a light, tangy variety, in the Sprouts Innovation Set.
Lucky Energy, New York, announced that it has successfully closed an oversubscribed $25 million Series B funding round, led by Paine Schwartz Partners. The round also saw continued support from existing investors, along with new backers including North Fifth Services LLC, Sequel, and Joyance Partners, among others. This new funding will fuel Lucky Energy’s nationwide growth, including expanding its retail presence, strengthening national and regional partnerships, increasing marketing efforts, and expanding its team as it continues to scale to meet rising consumer demand. The company also welcomed two Paine Schwartz Partners Operating Directors to its Board of Directors: James Brennan, founder and CEO of ENlightened Brand Ventures; and Bob DeBorde, Chairman of Suja Life and Promix Nutrition. With longtime board member Dan Ginsberg, former CEO of Red Bull North America, they form a best-in-class leadership team driving Lucky Energy's expansion, the company says. Building on the momentum of its flavors, the brand has seen breakout growth in 2025, it adds. It is now available in more than 15,000 retail locations nationwide, with plans to expand into Walmart, Sheetz, and Cumberland Farms stores across the country in December.