What Goodles' $500M Acquisition Says About CPG Innovation

This week, we dig into Barilla Group's acquisition of Goodles and how the mac and cheese brand's success reflects growing demand for better-for-you versions of familiar, legacy products. We also look at David Protein maker Medici Brands' $2.2 billion valuation following its Series B raise, the launch of its better-for-you candy brand HallPass and how the company is rethinking two of the most familiar formats in CPG.  Show notes: 0:20: Incremental Betterness. Medici Momentum. Shelf Impact. Dance & Drink. A Trip To London. – Ray highlights Taste Radio's upcoming meetups in San Diego and San Francisco before the hosts unpack Barilla Group's acquisition of Goodles, including the brand attributes that made it attractive to consumers and acquirers alike. They also explore the broader trend of "incremental betterness," as Ray puts it, and why improving established categories can be just as powerful as creating something entirely new. The conversation turns to Medici Brands and how founder Peter Rahal has fueled its rapid expansion beyond David protein bars into new formats, including HallPass, which the hosts sample and review. They also taste David's new pumpkin spice bar and discuss how brands can use "training wheels" to make better-for-you products more approachable before potentially improving their formulas further. Melissa spotlights new flavors of Koia's Protein Pop line, while Mike showcases Golden Disco's non-alcoholic cocktails. Melissa also highlights a new Nombase course from packaging expert Fred Hart focused on designing products for maximum shelf impact. Finally, the hosts discuss Kendall Jenner joining U.K.-based functional beverage brand Trip as a shareholder and global ambassador, and look ahead to Taste Radio's upcoming meetup in London. Brands in this episode: Poppi, Goodles, Culture Pop, Annie's, RXBAR, David Protein, HallPass, Thirsty Buddha, Rise Kombucha, Trip, Koia, Golden Disco