Item 1. Business
Item
1. Business.
Corporate
History and Background
The
Company is engaged in the manufacturing and distribution of ready-to-drink and ready-to-blend frozen beverages, including smoothies,
shakes and frappes. The current operation was established following a 2012 reverse merger into an inactive Delaware corporation, formed
on February 25, 2010. We have two direct subsidiaries: Barfresh Corporation, Inc. (formerly known as Smoothie, Inc.) and Barfresh, Inc.
Our corporate office is located at 3600 Wilshire Boulevard Suite 1720, Los Angeles, 90010. Our telephone number is (310) 598-7113 and
our website is www.barfresh.com.
Business
Overview
Barfresh
is a leader in the creation, manufacturing and distribution of ready-to-drink and ready-to-blend frozen beverages. The current portfolio
of products includes smoothies, shakes and frappes.
Some
of the key benefits of the products for the end consumers that drink the products include:
●
From
as little as 125-130 calories (per serving)
●
Real
fruit in every smoothie
●
Dairy
free options
●
Kosher
approved
●
Gluten
Free
Products
Products
are packaged in four distinct formats.
The
Company’s ready-to-drink smoothie, “Twist & Go”™, has initially been focused towards the USDA national school
meal program, including the School Breakfast Program, the National School Lunch Program and Smart Snacks in Schools Program. This sweet
fruit and creamy yogurt smoothie contains four ounces of yogurt and a half-cup of fruit/fruit juice and comes in three different flavors:
strawberry banana, peach, and mango pineapple. The product was originally launched in a bottled packaging format. The Company introduced
Twist & Go™ cartons in 2022. Twist & Go™ contains no added sugars, preservatives, artificial flavors or colors. At
only 125 -130 calories and with 5 grams of protein, it makes the perfect start to any day or on-the-go snack.
The
Company’s bulk “Easy Pour” format, which contains all the ingredients necessary to make the beverage, is packaged in
gallon containers in a concentrated formula that is mixed in beverage dispensing equipment 1:1 with water. The Company has a “no
sugar added” version of the bulk “Easy Pour” format that is specifically targeted for the aforementioned USDA national
school meal programs. In addition, the Company received approval from the United States Defense Logistics Agency (“DLA”)
to sell its smoothie products into all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and is currently in contract with and selling its bulk Easy
Pour products into over one hundred military bases in the United States and abroad. Additionally, the Company offers WHIRLZ 100% Juice
concentrate, which is sold at ambient temperatures and mixed in beverage dispensing equipment on a 5:1 ratio.
The
Company’s single-serve format features portion controlled and ready-to-blend beverage ingredient packs or “beverage packs”.
The beverage packs contain all the ingredients necessary to make the beverage, including the base (either sorbet, frozen yogurt, or ice
cream), real fruit pieces, juices, and ice – five ounces of water are added before blending.
In
2024, the Company introduced its ready-to-eat juice pop, “Pop & Go” ™ , with initial shipments in the
fourth quarter of 2024. The product will initially be focused towards the National School Lunch and Smart Snacks in Schools Programs.
Pop & Go ™ contains 4 oz of juice, no added sugars, preservatives or artificial flavors or colors, and comes in
five flavors.
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Distribution
The
Company conducts sales through several channels, including National Accounts, Regional Accounts, and Broadline Distributors.
Manufacturing
Barfresh
utilizes contract manufacturers to manufacture all of its products in the United States.
Research
and Development
The
Company incurred approximately $132,000 and $115,000 in research and development expenses for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023,
respectively.
Competition
There
is significant competition in the smoothie market at both the institutional and consumer purchasing level.
The
Company distributes products to institutional customers primarily through distributors to school districts. The Company has recently
launched its Twist & Go ready-to-drink smoothie as well as a “no sugar added” version of the bulk “Easy Pour”
format, WHIRLZ 100% Juice Concentrates, both of which are specifically targeted for the USDA national school meal program, including
the School Breakfast Program, the National School Lunch Program, and Smart Snacks in Schools Program. At the institutional level, the
Company competes with other food and beverage manufacturers, many of which have significantly greater financial resources and distribution
reach.
The
competition at the consumer level is primarily between specialized juice bars (e.g. Jamba Juice) and major fast casual and fast-food
restaurant chains (such as McDonalds). Barfresh does not compete specifically at this level but intends to supply its product to customers
that fall within these segments to enable them to compete for consumer demand. The Company believes that its single serve products afford
a very significant competitive advantage based on ease of use, portion control, premium quality, and minimal capital investment required
to enable a customer to begin to carry Barfresh beverage products. The Company also believes that its bulk “Easy Pour” product
represents an attractive alternative delivery method for customers that serve high volume locations, where speed of service over extended
periods is a critical requirement.
There
may also be new entrants to the smoothie market that may alter the current competitor landscape.
Intellectual
Property
Barfresh
owns the domestic and international property rights to its products’ sealed pack of ingredients used in its single serve products.
Patents in the United States and Australia are in effect through 2025.
Governmental
Approval and Regulation
While
the Company is not aware of the need for any governmental approvals to manufacture or distribute its products, manufacturing products
which meet the criteria of the USDA’S national school meal program and USDLA is critical to the Company’s business plan.
The
Company utilizes contract manufacturers. Before entering into any manufacturing contracts, the Company determines that the manufacturer
meets all government requirements.
Environmental
Laws
The
Company does not believe that it is subject to any environmental laws, either state or federal. Compliance with any laws concerning manufacturing
is the responsibility of the contract manufacturer.
Employees
As
of March 24, 2025, the Company has 11 employees and 3 consultants.
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