**Surfside: The Refreshing Rise of America’s New Favorite Drink**
In the bustling landscape of America’s beverage industry, a new star has emerged, and it goes by the name of Surfside. This vibrant drink, which falls into the category of ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails, has quickly captured the attention of consumers across the country. With its refreshing flavors of iced tea and lemonade, Surfside isn’t just stylishly packaged; it’s become the life of the summer party, especially along the sunny beaches of the Northeast.
The brainchild behind Surfside is none other than Matt Wigley, a 41-year-old vodka entrepreneur hailing from Philadelphia. The story of this drink starts in an unusual place: the very streets of Philadelphia, which were littered with discarded iced tea bottles. Wigley, with an eye for opportunity, noticed this trend and recognized it as a clue to what people truly wanted to drink. Iced tea seemed to be a popular choice among locals, and thus, the idea was born. Teaming up with his business partner, Clement Papus, they set out to create a line of alcoholic iced teas and lemonades that would give traditional drinks like Twisted Tea a run for their money.
From its inception to now, Surfside has gone on an exhilarating journey, topping the charts as the fastest-growing alcohol brand in America. Data shows that this summer alone, Surfside has witnessed a leap in retail sales by a staggering $70 million, with customers enthusiastically popping open cans, one after the other. Just imagine beachgoers lounging in the sun, sipping on Surfside—it’s almost too picture-perfect!
As of July, Surfside hit a noteworthy milestone, selling over 5 million cases, eclipsing last year’s total. Looking ahead to the end of 2023, projections estimate that Surfside could achieve sales of up to 12 million cases, raking in a cool $300 million in revenue. This kind of explosive growth has put Surfside and its parent company, Stateside Brands, on the radar of potential buyers, but the company’s co-founders aren’t looking to sell anytime soon. They’ve invested heavily in their vision, retaining 90% ownership and relishing the independence that comes with it.
While the founders opt not to disclose specifics about profitability, estimates suggest that Surfside’s success is driven by impressive margins. With a commitment to reinvesting profits back into the business, they aim for greater scale and distribution. This is a strategic move, especially in a market where canned cocktails are gaining popularity and legacy brands rush to capture their share. Fueled by exciting new regulations that ease the distribution of RTD beverages, the landscape is ripe for Surfside’s continued growth.
In a nutshell, the meteoric rise of Surfside is a testament to the power of observation and innovation. As consumers seek out refreshing alternatives to traditional cocktails, Surfside stands ready to quench their thirst. If you haven’t tried it yet, perhaps this summer is the time to grab a can and take part in the Surfside phenomenon. As one summer closes and another begins, who knows how far this spirited company will sail next!
