EMERYVILLE, Calif. -- Jamba Juice Co. has acquired Talbott Teas, a Chicago-based boutique, premium tea company, recently profiled on ABC-TV's Shark Tank.
Talbott Teas offers a collection of caffeinated and decaffeinated loose leaf, all-natural teas blended with real fruit, flowers, herbs and spices. Talbott Teas tea blends are available in 23 customizable flavors, including "Chocolate Lover" teas. All tea blends are made from high-quality ingredients, certified free-trade and 100% natural with no artificial flavors, preservatives or colors.
Talbott Teas founder and certified master tea blender Shane Talbott has a talent for blending specialty ingredients to produce teas that appeal to tea aficionados and conventional consumers alike, and which Oprah Winfrey selected as one of her "Favorite Things" in 2010.
"Talbott Teas is part of our strategy for growth through the acquisition of lifestyle specialty brands that fit well with the Jamba brand and our positioning as a leading health and wellness company," said James D. White, chairman, president and CEO of Jamba Juice. "Jamba shares Shane's commitment to using the finest quality ingredients to create premium tea blends that are flavorful and healthful, but designed with a flair that only a visionary trendsetter could achieve. I welcome his creativity on our team."
Talbott Teas appeared on Shark Tank, which gives nascent entrepreneurs the chance to dramatically alter the course of their business by making a possible deal with the Sharks--self-made millionaires in search of innovative investment deals to bankroll. While on the show, the founders of Talbott Teas received an offer from venture capitalist Kevin O'Leary, who subsequent to the show worked with fellow Sharks Daymond John and Barbara Corcoran to seal a bigger deal with a leading national smoothie and specialty healthy lifestyle brand, Jamba Juice.
"Jamba is a progressive, specialty beverage brand with a passion for creating innovative, trendy offerings that support healthier lifestyles," said Shane Talbott. "Jamba has broad reach and appeal among consumers who are seeking premium products at affordable pricing that are better-for-you and great tasting. The Sharks connected us with Jamba Juice, and we could not have found a better company with whom to align and grow our brand."
Talbott Teas' products are available online at QVC, fine retailers, and the Talbott Teas website as well as specialty retailers, gourmet grocers, salon spas, select luxury hotels and restaurants throughout the Chicago area. Talbott Teas will also be available for sale at Jamba Juice locations. The purchase of Talbott Teas is part of Jamba's strategy to accelerate growth through the acquisition of specialty, lifestyle brands that support Jamba's expansion into new and relevant product categories.
Founded in 1990, Jamba Juice Co. is a leading restaurant retailer of better-for-you beverage and food offerings, which include great tasting fruit smoothies, fresh juices and teas, hot oatmeal made with organic steel cut oats, fruit and veggie smoothies, Whirl'ns frozen yogurt, breakfast wraps, sandwiches and wraps, California flatbreads and a variety of baked goods and snacks. As of January 3, 2012, there were 750 locations in the United States consisting of 307 company-owned and operated stores and 443 franchise-operated stores. In addition, as of January 3, 2012 there were 19 international locations.
Talbott Teas was founded in 2003 by Shane Talbott, former owner of the highly regarded Troupe salon and spa in Chicago and stylist to the stars.
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