Los Angeles Lakers

Poppi was the Lakers' official soda but couldn't be sold in their arena

Before the sale, Poppi pieced together 180 direct-store-delivery distributors. Exclusive pouring contracts held by the big soda companies still kept it out of venues like the Lakers' arena, Madison Square Garden, Taco Bell and Subway, which is why joining a big-three distribution network matters for growth.

“For example, we were the official soda of the Lakers and could not be sold in the stadium because it was a Coke contract. We can't be at Madison Square Garden. We can't be at Taco Bell, Subway. You can't, you can't be at any of these places. So if you really want to grow, you have to have that distribution arm because of all of those contract places.”