214. Why CPG Brands Fail Expanding Internationally With Charlie Knight, Mr Lee's Noodles

214. Expanding into the U.S. without a strategy can drain your cash fast—and kill your CPG runway before you scale. In this episode, I sit down with Charlie from Mr. Lee's to unpack what really works when launching a CPG brand globally. We compare the U.S., UK, Australia, and EU retail systems—and expose the hidden costs, slotting fees, distributor traps, and trade spend mistakes that catch founders off guard. You'll learn why deep pockets aren't enough, how to build a tribe that drives demand at shelf, why contribution beats velocity, and how to design a go-to-market strategy as innovative as your product. If you want to expand profitably, reduce risk, and avoid expensive retail missteps, this conversation is essential. Listen to past episodes to go deeper into building a sustainable, category-leading brand. Get instant access on the show webpage: RetailSolved.com/session214