"Every year, we see more and more food brands hitting the market with creative, innovative new products. Some are wildly successful, building food empires by meeting some yet-unmet need in the market. Others see a flurry of success at the beginning and then, eventually, flop, leaving store shelves for good. Still others build for years to create lasting demand for their products."
"Co-founders Julie Letizia and Paige Cey met in college and found that they couldn't find an energy drink that made them feel their best. They decided to create a new energy drink made with yerba mate and adaptogens, which they frame as being better for drinkers than an average, sugar- and caffeine-packed energy drink. Benny has landed on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Food and Drink list for 2026, which spells a promising future for the Canadian brand."
New food brands continually enter the market with creative products, producing some breakout successes, many short-lived launches, and some that build lasting demand over years. Energy drinks are a current growth category, with brands creating alternatives to sugar- and caffeine-heavy options. Benny, founded by Julie Letizia and Paige Cey, uses yerba mate and adaptogens and markets flavors like elderberry yuzu and peach lychee. Benny made Forbes 30 Under 30 Food and Drink for 2026 and expanded retail distribution to Target in late 2025 while remaining available online. Built Bar is another protein-focused brand gaining grocery traction in 2026.
Read at Tasting Table
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]