NexPhase Capital, LP (“NPC” or “NexPhase”) today announced its investment in Zing Zang, LLC (“Zing Zang”), a leading independent marketer of non-alcoholic cocktail mixes under the Zing Zang™ brand, with particular focus on bloody mary mixes.
Zing Zang’s award winning bloody mary mix is preferred by bartenders and consumers nationwide because of its high-quality, bold flavor. Since its founding in 1997, the company has grown rapidly to attain leading market positions in retail stores and on-premises venues. To accelerate Zing Zang’s growth, NPC plans to lead a variety of initiatives including promotional and merchandising support, distribution gains, product innovation, and increased brand marketing. In addition, Zing Zang will partner with existing distributor and broker networks to better serve its customers and consumers.
Jamie Kaufman, of NPC, said, “We are thrilled to invest in a leading consumer brand like Zing Zang. We’re confident NPC can provide the necessary expertise and resources to take the company to the next level.”
NPC Operating Partner Doug Corbett will join Zing Zang as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Corbett has 25 years of operating experience growing and optimizing branded businesses in the U.S., Western Europe, and Canada. He was formerly President of InBev USA, and earlier in his career worked for PepsiCo and Procter & Gamble. Mr. Corbett will pair his professional management, sales, and marketing expertise with Zing Zang’s existing core competencies to further drive the growth of the business. “We are excited to partner with our distributor network and customers to grow Zing Zang into a clear market leader in the cocktail mix segment,” said Corbett.
Zing Zang CEO Fred Tinsey said, “NPC brings a wealth of experience growing consumer brands, and we look forward to leveraging their expertise to strategically grow.”
NPC Partner Joel Killion and Jamie Kaufman will join the company’s Board of Directors alongside NPC Operating Partner Doug Corbett.
About NexPhase Capital
NexPhase Capital, LP, formed by the former principals of Moelis Capital Partners (“MCP”), the private equity division of Moelis Asset Management, is a New York-based private equity firm targeting equity investments between $25 million and $75 million in leading lower middle market, growth-oriented companies. Earlier this year, the former principals of MCP formed NexPhase to execute, on an independent basis, the same sector-focused strategy of completing control investments in lower middle market companies. NexPhase continues to manage the MCP funds and portfolio companies under a sub-advisory agreement. NexPhase specializes in the healthcare, industrial services, software, and consumer sectors. Led by Co-Managing Partners Kurt Larsen and Ted Yun, the firm will continue to manage approximately $872 million of MCP’s legacy private equity capital. For more information, please visit www.NexPhase.com.
About Zing Zang
Zing Zang was formally introduced in 1997 with the launch of its award winning bloody mary mix. Today, the Zing Zang brand is famous for its high-quality, bold taste and offers a line of non-alcoholic cocktail mixes. Zing Zang products can be found throughout the United States and Canada at local liquor and grocery stores, as well as in the finest restaurants, bars, and country clubs. For more information, please visit www.zingzang.com.