Date: 02-07-2008
A stake of 40% of Honest Tea Inc. was taken over by The Coca-Cola Company (Coke) in an agreement indicating Coke’s intention to branch out aggressively into the organic and low-calorie beverage markets. The figures weren’t disclosed, but media sources revealed that it was a $40 million deal that will quickly bring the Honest Tea brand to a much wider audience. The deal also gives Coke the option of buying out the remaining shares of Honest Tea within the coming years. Honest Tea, a maker of certified organic beverages, is content with the multimillion-dollar deal. “This is our chance to bring organic beverages to the mainstream,” said Barry Nalebuff, the chairman and co-founder of Honest Tea. “Customers will get to discover that they can have it all — great taste, less calories, and organic. Honest.”
