frank kenny

coronado, CA (USA)
Role(s):
Founder/Owner/Principal

Just Different Specialty Teas

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Location: coronado
Industry: Wholesale
Year Founded: 2003
Number Employees: 1-10 people
Description: Just Different Specialty Tea is recruiting investment to fund growth opportunities by expanding sales, distribution, marketing and PR/AD. Along with the distribution of our brands currently distributed in tea bags the investment will fund the launch of the brands in RTD (ready to drink, bottled) format. Just Different Specialty Teas is taking the functional beverage (ready to drink teas) and energy drink beverage segments into a new and healthier direction by creating a totally new beverage category dubbed “Human Hydration.” More on Just Different Specialty Teas Founded in 2003, Just Different Specialty Tea Company is the undisputed tea business pioneer and trendsetter in creating and developing fun, healthy and socially conscience tea brands. Using the finest all natural and USDA certified teas and infusions, the company creates, develops, brands and markets several unique, market driven tea brands including: Captain Teao's™ TEA for KIDS, EGCG-Tea, TeaForce, RAINBOW PRIDE Premium Tea, The "Original" TEA for MEN and TEE-FORCE RED TEA to specific niche markets while generating donations for various causes including HIV-AIDS research and awareness programs, prostate cancer research and awareness programs and after school programs for children. Tea is one of the most underdeveloped beverages in the United States. The potential is enormous, as tea barely compares in market size to beverage categories such as carbonated soft drinks, coffee and water. Moreover, numerous variables are in place to help drive the growth of tea sales. Tea sales in the United States exceeded $7.4 billion in 2007 and are expected to grow to over $15 billion by 2012. The majority of the sales growth is attributed to ready-to-drink (RTD) (single-serve and multi-serve containers—shelf-stable and refrigerated) bottled teas. Driving the explosive growth of specialty tea sales is the well-established movement among aging baby boomers to seek out foods and beverages that promise wellness and anti-aging effects. Boomers along with the large segment of the population dealing with health issues such as childhood and adult obesity, diabetes and heart disease are increasing turning to tea as an alternative beverage to help improve their life and health. With its distinctive and diverse collection of established tea brands along with new specialty tea brands currently under development JDST is in an excellent position to make a powerful impact and have considerable influence in the retail channel and ultimately become a dominate brand force in the specialty tea category with its high quality and appealing tea brands. The “suite” of teas and infusions offered by JDST makes the company the most complete "one stop shop" for all tea retailers and consumers. Mainstream venues are supermarkets, drug stores and mass merchandisers. Other retail venues include club stores, convenience stores (c-stores), dollar stores, drugstores, health/natural foods stores, specialty coffee/tea stores/cafes and “other,” which includes non-traditional food stores such as movie rental establishments, sporting goods shops, toy stores, bookstores, mail order and the Internet, as well as specialty stores that carry a limited assortment of a unique mix of foods and beverages, (e.g. Trader Joe’s.)