Fresh Arrivals in the Music Scene: New Kids on the Block

HOLY SH%T, Y'ALL!

Welcome back, chunky monkeys! If you're still wafting the aroma of turkey from Thanksgiving yesterday, you're in good company. Let's dive into this week's hot takes and juicy news from the hospitality world.

Remember when I was a naive college kid, dabbling in adult beverages at a bar on the Upper East Side? Yeah, you do. Well, that place has a story, and it involves some nostalgia, underage shenanigans, and a seemingly friendly business tycoon.

So, picture this: me,22, and my high school friends, wanting to relive our glory days by throwing a reunion party. We roll up to a bar, let's call it Martell's, for old times' sake, and I ask to speak with the manager about the idea. Little did I know, I'd be meeting the owner himself - a dude we'll dub Mr. Smith.

Now, I wasn't going to demand a discount or spew some bullsh%t about my party-organizing skills. Instead, I explained my love for his joint and our history with it. Mr. Smith was cautious at first, expressing his new policy of not serving underage patrons. But I reassured him that I and my friends were now of legal drinking age, and I didn't want to host the party without management's blessing.

Mr. Smith seemed unsatisfied with my answer, maybe expecting some form of compensation in exchange for my rallying buddies to his bar. But I stuck to my guns and said I wanted nothing more than his agreement to let me host the event at Martell's. The party was a massive success, and the place was packed!

To top it all off, on the night we partied like it was 1999, Mr. Smith handed me his business card. He'd invited me to have a steak dinner on him and scribbled, "I owe you a favor," on the back.

KARMA BITCHES, AMIRITE? Fast-forward a couple of years, and I'm ditching my investment banking gig to head to business school. I needed a part-time job, so I returned to Martell's and asked to work as a bartender. Mr. Smith had a chuckle and asked if I'd ever served drink behind the bar before. I'll be honest; I had zero professional bartending experience. So, I handed him his business card and said, "b/c you owe me a favor."

That gesture got me a bartending gig, and I worked my a$$ off for Mr. Smith during grad school. And you guessed it - Mr. Smith never forgot about that 'little favor.'

Thanksgiving reminds us of traditions, but not all traditions are created equal - like the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving when it felt like the entire country was converging on bars like Martell's for one last hoorah before the holiday.

Now it's time to meet the Branded portfolio's New Kids on the Block. With 2023 trailing behind us like a swollen comet, it's high time to shine a light on the new additions to our roster of technology & innovation companies:

Ripples: This innovation platform will turn an ordinary drink into a masterpiece, printing images and messages on foam with an Insta-worthy twist.
Lunchbox: Branded's merge with this enterprise-level online ordering and engagement platform will bring 6 major functionalities together, including web ordering, app ordering, catering ordering, order aggregator, call center, and loyalty system.
LiquidRails: This e-commerce SaaS for beverage brands understands what they need and delivers the goods: an integrated white-label platform for DTC online sales with stateside delivery within 48 hours.

As the holiday season is upon us, remember: Hospitality operators, you're going to want to check out some of these success stories2. So, unleash your inner Trump and make Ripples win!

Speaking of winning, Branded is not award-shy, either. In fact, branded portfolio company, Ripples, took home a Gold Medal at the 2023 Specialty Food Association’s (SFA) sofi Awards. In the BBQ sauce category, of course! (shameless plug)

Minor update: it has been confirmed that the boys from New Kids On The Block were, in fact, in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade during the year of the legendary Wednesday night reunion when I was a sleep-deprived, slightly buzzed spectator6. Safety first, kiddos.

As always, scope out the latest news, tips, and furious debates on the Restaurant Guy and Finance Guy show! Bet you can't guess which episode was their most NSFW7. Tune in to learn how our favorite emerging brands are conquering the culinary world!

Signing out,

Branded

P.S.: Got a burning question brewing in the back of your skull? Drop us a line, and we'll answer it in the next issue!

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The guest experience at Martell's was definitively enhanced by the reunion party hosted by a group of old friends, showcasing the bar's enduring appeal in the hospitality industry.
In the realm of emerging brands, Ripples, a portfolio company of Branded, has displayed innovation by developing a technology that prints images and messages on foam, adding a unique twist to the food-and-drink sector.
Branded's strategic merger with Lunchbox, an enterprise-level online ordering and engagement platform, positions the company to streamline services in the food service industry.
LiquidRails, another Branded portfolio company, offers an e-commerce SaaS tailored to beverage brands, providing an integrated white-label platform for DTC online sales with expedited domestic delivery.
The podcast, Restaurant Guy and Finance Guy show, delves into the success stories of various brands and the strategies they employ to thrive in the culinary world, offering valuable insights for the lifestyle and home-and-garden sectors.
The educational and self-development opportunities provided by Branded's newsletter cover a wide array of topics, including general news, sports, and relationship advice, fostering growth for its subscribers.
Entertainment enthusiasts can discover the latest news and debates within the entertainment industry by tuning into the Restaurant Guy and Finance Guy show, as they discuss topical issues and interview industry leaders.