Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
What is the process and requirements for getting FDA approval to sell beverages in the US and Canadian markets?
Members confirm that FDA approval is achievable but requires specialist support. The community's recommended approach: - **UK Beverage Services** — recommended as a starting point for FDA compliance guidance; members have referred this consultancy to each other for US market entry - **Campden BRI** — can review beverages for compliance requirements One member reported the process "wasn't as hard as we thought," suggesting it's manageable with the right support, but no member in this discussion shared detailed step-by-step protocols or timelines. For kosher certification (often paired with FDA compliance planning), members recommend **Kosher.org.uk**. Note: The discussion shows members actively seeking this information but no one fully documented their FDA approval journey in the excerpts provided.
What are the key considerations and best practices for entering the US market as a UK drinks brand?
Entering the US market requires understanding that it is fundamentally 50 separate markets (by state), not a single national market. Members recommend treating US expansion similarly to how you would approach the EU—evaluating each region individually rather than assuming a one-size-fits-all national strategy. Key considerations members raised: - **Distributor model** — The US market operates through regional and state-based distributors who function as both logistics organizations and sales forces. Understand that a distributor's strategic view differs from a brand owner's perspective, and distributors typically cannot provide a comprehensive national point of view. - **Regional research** — Several members actively sought wholesaler price lists for specific high-value regions (Florida, NYC) rather than attempting national entry, suggesting a phased regional approach is common. - **Timeline expectations** — Members noted that US market entry "might take longer than 5 mins" to plan—implying the process is more complex and time-consuming than initial expectation. One member has been selling in the USA for 5 years. - **Peer guidance** — Members actively sought calls with others who had "nailed" the USA market, suggesting that peer learning and specific conversations with experienced founders is valuable and encouraged. **Caveat**: The excerpts do not provide detailed tactical guidance on licensing, compliance, shipping, pricing strategy, or specific distributor recommendations. Members appear to be in the early research phase rather than sharing established playbooks.
How successful is Faire as a sales channel for non-alcoholic beverages in the US?
Members have seen real results using Faire for non-alc sales in the US, though success depends on effort invested. One member achieved **44x ROAS with a Faire campaign in 16 days**, demonstrating strong potential. However, another noted they didn't put significant effort or investment into the platform and saw limited traction as a result. **Three Spirit** reported doing "reasonably well" on the platform and is open to sharing experiences with others interested in the channel. The key takeaway is that Faire can work for non-alcs but requires active investment and strategy to see meaningful returns.