Today's digest covers a reformulation move at Takis, a Supreme Court trademark fight between Rise Brewing and PepsiCo, a packaging and product refresh at Yesly, a leadership departure at Coca-Cola, and food brands' growing use of TikTok Shop to shape innovation.
Takis will phase out synthetic dyes and the preservative TBHQ from its spicy rolled tortilla chips by the end of 2026. The move puts Takis alongside a growing list of snack brands reformulating ahead of potential federal action on artificial additives, though the brand is acting on its own timeline rather than under a regulatory mandate. For CPG manufacturers, the decision signals that even cult-favorite products with strong youth followings are not immune to clean-label pressure. Reformulating a high-flavor product without disrupting its signature taste and color profile is a real technical challenge, making this a closely watched test case for the broader snack category.
Rise Brewing secured a significant procedural win after the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear its trademark infringement case against PepsiCo, overriding the federal government's recommendation against review. The cold brew maker argues that a lower court incorrectly dismissed its claim that PepsiCo's use of the 'Rise' name on its Mtn Dew Rise Energy line causes consumer confusion. The outcome will matter well beyond these two parties. A ruling in Rise Brewing's favor could set a higher bar for how large CPG companies evaluate naming decisions when smaller brands hold existing trademarks in adjacent beverage segments.
Yesly, the functional beverage brand founded by Essentia Water creator Ken Uptain, unveiled redesigned packaging last month and is preparing to launch a clear protein drink that will sit alongside its existing hydration and energy SKUs. The expansion moves Yesly into the fast-growing clear protein segment, where consumers expect a beverage aesthetic rather than the opacity associated with traditional protein shakes. Adding protein to an existing functional platform is an efficient way to capture incremental shelf space and reach buyers already familiar with the brand. The packaging refresh signals Yesly is positioning itself for broader retail distribution rather than staying in early-adopter channels.
Coca-Cola North America president Jennifer Mann will step down from the role and stay on through April 2027 as a senior advisor while the company searches for her successor. Coca-Cola's CFO will oversee the North America business in the interim. Mann held the position for four years, a period that included significant pricing activity, portfolio shifts, and continued pressure on trademark Coke volume. Leadership transitions at this scale in a major consumer goods company tend to open movement across the broader organization, and the search for a replacement at one of the largest CPG regional roles will draw attention from executives across the industry.
PepsiCo, Mars, and other major food and beverage companies are using TikTok Shop not just as a sales channel but as a real-time signal for new product development, according to the platform's head of food. Performance data from the app, including what sells, what gets repeated purchases, and what generates organic content, is informing innovation decisions faster than traditional consumer research timelines allow. For CPG brand managers and innovation teams, the implication is that TikTok Shop is becoming a testing ground rather than simply another distribution point. Brands that treat it as a data source alongside a revenue channel are getting a meaningful read on consumer appetite before committing to full-scale launches.
Sources: Food Dive · BevNet · BevNet · Food Dive · Food Dive
More on CPG Careers
- All roles at Takis
- All roles at Rise Brewing
- All roles at Yesly
- All roles at Coca-Cola
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