Co-Manufacturer vs. Co-Packer: The Difference Is the Recipe
Two quotes for the same jar, $216,000 apart. The co-packer vs co-manufacturer choice is about who owns the formula, the filings, and the cost of leaving.
Retail Readiness Scorecard: Most Brands Discover They Aren't Ready After the Buyer Says Yes
The hard part is the 90 days after the buyer says yes. A retail readiness scorecard finds the operational gaps before the placement becomes a loss.
The Monday Morning Report Is Three Numbers, Not a Dashboard
Most specialty food founders check a different number each week. A tiered Monday morning report tracks the same three signals and catches drift early.
Retail Launch Cost Model: The Five Layers That Turn a $500K Placement Negative
A $500K placement can close year one at negative cash. The five cost layers to model before you commit: slotting, trade, compliance, float, and overhead.
Specialty Food Brand Operational Costs: The Ten Decisions Behind $1.4M–$2.3M a Year
Ten decisions nobody owns drive specialty food brand operational costs of $1.4M–$2.3M a year. Each is answerable with data the brand already has.
What Sprouts Checks Before Approving a New Supplier
Before the first Sprouts order, brands need UNFI item setup, IX-ONE image registration, and EDI 810 compliance. Here's the operational sequence.
Trade Spend Benchmarks for Small Food Brands: 15-25% of Revenue, Line by Line
How much trade spend is normal for a specialty food brand, what the money is actually buying, and which components carry no performance link at all.