The consumer food and beverage space moves fast. Brands that launch with a strong product and a compelling story still need to navigate fundraising, supply chain agreements, retail distribution, regulatory compliance, and an ever-expanding thicket of labeling and marketing rules — all while protecting the brand equity they're working to build.
Greenberg Glusker advises food and beverage companies at every stage of that journey, from formation through financing, growth, and sale. Our current and past clients include Liquid I.V. (acquired by Unilever), Moon Juice, Barebells, Deux Foods, Kumana, and Momofuku, the CPG company built by celebrity chef David Chang. We also work with founder-led brands earlier in their lifecycle, including advising new brands backed by prominent creators and consumer health advocates.
Corporate, Finance, and M&A
We advise food and beverage companies on the full range of corporate and transactional matters, from entity formation and early-stage financing through growth-stage fundraising, strategic acquisitions, and exit.
Our M&A team represented Liquid I.V. in its acquisition by Unilever, Frieda's Inc. in its sale to a private equity-backed acquirer, Jobbers Meat Packing Co. in its sale to Randall Foods, and Individual Food Service in a roll-up transaction with related financing from Sole Source Capital. We also represented Corazonas in the sale of its assets to a private equity group, and handled Central Valley Meat's $23 million acquisition of Cargill Meat Solutions' beef processing facility — a transaction requiring resolution of regulatory scrutiny from the California Attorney General.
We structure and negotiate acquisition financing, credit facilities, seed supply agreements, and debt-to-equity conversions, and have advised on these matters for companies. When businesses face financial stress, we counsel on turnarounds, workouts, restructuring, and distressed M&A.
Intellectual Property and Brand Protection
We clear and prosecute trademark applications for food and beverage companies, manage ongoing trademark portfolios, and enforce brand rights when they are infringed. We have obtained emergency federal court seizure orders in trademark infringement actions on behalf of food manufacturers and assisted manufacturers of food ingredients, flavorings, and colorings in structuring trademark protection and distribution agreements. We also negotiate licensing agreements and sponsorship arrangements — including representing a Hispanic seasoning company in a sponsorship agreement with an MLB team — and advise on sweepstakes and promotional contests.
Regulatory Compliance
We advise food and beverage companies on the full range of California and federal regulatory requirements, including product labeling, ingredient and packaging compliance, Proposition 65 obligations, and chemical regulation. We have represented a global food manufacturer in a multi-county weights and measures investigation led by California District Attorneys, and we serve as California regulatory compliance counsel for major consumer product retailers navigating Prop 65 enforcement actions. We also advise on green marketing and greenwashing exposure, and general compliance with applicable food industry standards.
Employment
We counsel food and beverage companies on wage and hour compliance, employee classification, meal and rest break requirements, and EDD matters. We assist with employee handbooks, HR policies, and employment agreements tailored to the operational realities of food production and distribution environments. When disputes arise, our litigators have resolved wage and hour class actions and PAGA matters efficiently and at a fraction of projected exposure, and we defend employers in discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination claims.
Litigation and Consumer Claims
We defend food and beverage companies in a broad range of disputes, including false advertising and greenwashing claims, consumer class actions, and product liability matters. Our litigators secured a Ninth Circuit reversal of a false advertising judgment against a product manufacturer and won a complete defense verdict at trial for a pet food manufacturer in a mass civil action alleging environmental nuisance. We also defend companies against copyright and trademark infringement claims and represent clients in commercial disputes with suppliers, distributors, and business partners.
Real Estate
We negotiate and structure leases for food production, distribution, and retail facilities, advise on acquisitions of commercial and industrial properties, and counsel on land use and zoning matters. Our real estate team works closely with food and beverage clients expanding their physical footprint, whether through new manufacturing sites, co-packing facilities, or retail locations.
