// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Zico say to the date? Coconut be mine.
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| Industry | Beverages |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2004 New York City, U.S. |
| Founder | Mark Rampolla |
| Headquarters | El Segundo, California, U.S. |
| Parent | PowerPlant Ventures |
| Website | zico |
Zico, stylized as ZICO, is a brand of coconut water and other drinks containing coconut water. The drinks are produced by Zico Rising,[1] originally founded as Zico Beverages in 2004.
In 2013, the business was acquired by the Coca-Cola Company, which then owned it for the next seven years. In January 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic and after years of declining sales, the company was sold back to its founder, Mark Rampolla, through PowerPlant Ventures.
History
[edit]Zico Beverages was founded in 2004 by Mark Rampolla after being introduced to coconut water as a Peace Corps volunteer in Central America.[2]
In 2009, the Coca-Cola Company purchased a minority stake in the company[3] and increased that to a majority stake in 2012.[4] In 2013, Coca-Cola purchased the outstanding stake, thus acquiring the entire Zico business and brand.[5] In 2020, Coca-Cola announced it would discontinue the Zico products by the end of the year, citing a sales decline of more than 20% for coconut water products in the preceding five years, an inability to catch up to the market segment leader Vita Coco, and the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]
In January 2021, PowerPlant Ventures announced its acquisition of the Zico brand from the Coca-Cola Company. The brand's ownership thus came full circle, as PowerPlant Ventures was co-founded and is co-led by Mark Rampolla.[1] The business was renamed to Zico Rising.[1]
Ingredients and flavors
[edit]In 2017, the available flavors were natural, chocolate, jalapeño mango, and watermelon raspberry.[citation needed]
As of 2023, three basic variants of Zico drinks were offered.[7]
- Zico Natural contains only pasteurized coconut water (not from concentrate).
- Zico Chocolate contains 70% coconut water, water, cane sugar, cocoa powder, and other ingredients, and is marketed as a "dairy-free alternative to chocolate milk with only 1/3 of the sugar".[citation needed]
- Zico Hydrate is available in Coconut Lime flavor and contains 30% coconut water, flavorings, and other ingredients. Two other flavors of Zico Hydrate, namely Fruit Punch and Tropical, are also described on the official website.[citation needed]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 "Founder of ZICO Coconut Water Re-Acquires Brand from The Coca-Cola Company" (Press release). January 14, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2021 – via BusinessWire.
- ↑ Murphy, Kate (November 2, 2013). "Opinion | Mark Rampolla". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- ↑ Zmuda, Natalie (November 16, 2009). "Zico: an America's Hottest Brands Case Study". AdAge. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- ↑ "US: Coca-cola Co takes control of Zico coconut water". Just Drinks. April 23, 2012. Archived from the original on May 16, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
- ↑ "Coca-Cola North Acquires Coconut Water Maker Zico Beverages". Vending Times. November 29, 2013. Archived from the original on December 4, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
- ↑ Pomranz, Mike (October 6, 2020). "Zico to Be Discontinued as Coca-Cola Gives Up on Coconut Water". Food & Wine. Archived from the original on October 18, 2020. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
- ↑ "The Lineup". Zico.com. Retrieved December 24, 2023.