Delray Beach, FL—(April, 2009)— Beverage Innovations and its Tropics 100% Natural Infusions brand of smoothie and cocktail mixes today announced that industry veteran Rich Shuey has joined its team as Director of National Accounts. In this capacity, Rich will be responsible for helping Tropics grow its presence in large chain accounts across the country.
Beverage Innovations, Inc., www.beverage-innovations.com, manufacturers of TeaWAVE Smoothies, Venga functional infusions and Tropics 100% Natural Infusions, and a leader in the premium, upscale functional beverage market with customers in over 30 countries on 5 continents, is becoming recognized in the industry as an innovative beverage solution provider in the consumer, chain restaurant, on premise and food service sectors. With Rich’s addition, Beverage Innovations will be moving to rapidly expand its national chain restaurant presence.
Rich most recently held the position of Sr. Manager, Beverage Operations and Development for Applebee’s Services, Inc. In this capacity he served as lead operations and development manager for 1,984 corporate and franchise owned full-service restaurants for both the non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverage categories. Prior to that, he served Applebee’s as the Manager of Beverage Procurement. Before joining Applebee’s, he worked with Chi-Chi’s Mexican Restaurants where he served first as a General Manager running full-service restaurants in Cincinnati and Columbus and then took over as the managing and development lead of the beverage category for the 230 corporate owned locations of the full-service restaurant chain.
“I’m glad to be working with Beverage Innovations and have seen the Tropics brand in action so I know it has and will receive a very positive reaction in the market,” said Rich.” I know what the competition is like and firmly believe Tropics is superior in terms of its ingredients and its taste. I also know first-hand what the industry really needs for a smoothie and cocktail mix partner and how to deliver a first-class solution. Tropics is well positioned to rapidly gain market share in the on-premise segment as operators learn how they would benefit from a partnership with us.”
“We recognize the unique skill set and knowledge of the category that Rich brings to the team so this was a rather easy decision to make when the opportunity presented itself,” said Jamie Day, Managing Partner of Beverage Innovations. “Rich will immediately be able to work with large national accounts because he’s already got so many relationships. Add to that the fact that he knows our product as well as the competition and we feel we are in a very strong position to gain market share.”