Why Every New Food Brand Needs a Food and Beverage Consultant

Launching a new food brand is an exciting venture. You likely have a unique idea, perhaps a recipe loved by friends and family, and the dream of seeing your product in stores or trending on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. However, the food industry is fiercely competitive. It's easy to get lost in the shuffle, and there's a lot to navigate.

This is where a food and beverage consultant would help.

In the quest to create the next big snack sensation or merely launch a brand of healthy beverages, getting an individual who has walked the walk can save you an unnecessary headache in terms of time, money, and errors. So, here is a rundown of the reasons why it is one of the most brilliant ideas to hire a consultant in any newly started food company.

They Help You Clarify Your Vision

You can have a great recipe, but a full line of products? That requires strategy. A food and beverage consultant assists you in refining your concept into a brand that sells.

They'll ask the right questions:

Who are you selling to?

What is the pain your product cures?

What sets you apart from everyone else?

They make your vision into a crisp, specific plan. That translates to fewer sidetracks, less experimentation and adjusting, and a product that stands a good chance in the marketplace.

They Understand the Industry Inside and Out

The food and beverage industry is high-speed. Trends shift rapidly. Regulations are stringent. There's shelf life testing, nutrition labeling, finding ingredients, pricing models, and packaging determinations, all before you even consider distribution.

It's a lot.

A food and beverage consultant has already done it. They know the challenges that first-time founders usually encounter and how to overcome them. They can take you with calm and clarity through every step of product development.

By the time you acquire knowledge of what actually works and what doesn't, you have truly invaluable insight.

They Help You Develop a Great-Tasting, Scalable Product

This is the truth: it's not all about flavor. Your product must also be scalable. That's being able to consistently make it safely and affordably.

They can assist with:

Optimizing your recipe

Securing the proper co-packer or manufacturer

Selecting the ideal packaging materials

Ensuring your ingredients are shelf-stable

They'll ensure the product you show people that they love in your samples is the same one they purchase in-store or online, each and every time.

They Keep You Legally Compliant

You can't bring a food product to market without complying with the rules. From FDA labeling regulations to allergen statements and nutritional claims, there's a lot to talk about.

A food and beverage consultant will walk you through the legal aspects. This includes:

Developing proper nutrition facts

Properly listing ingredients

Advice on what claims you can make legally on packaging

They save you from fines, recalls, or worst-case nightmares that could hurt your brand reputation before it gets started.

They Provide You with Access to an Influential Network

Consultants are not solo operators. The best ones have extensive industry connections. That translates into access to:

Ingredient suppliers

Manufacturers

Co-packers

Designers

Marketing teams

Retail buyers

Rather than spending time Googling or cold-calling, you have vetted introductions. That alone can trim months from your launch timeline.

They Bring New Ideas to the Table

You know your business. But sometimes, proximity to your own product makes it difficult to recognize other possibilities. A consultant provides an outside perspective. They may recognize opportunities to make your product more attractive, less expensive, or more consumer-trendy.

For instance:

Is there a hot ingredient you've not thought of?

Could a new format (e.g., pouch vs. bottle) differentiate you?

Could you position your brand more effectively with more effective messaging?

Good consultants challenge you with the hard questions—and guide you to the best solutions.

They Assist You in Developing a Launch Plan That Pays Off

You have a great product, but that's only half the fight. You must get it into people's hands. A consultant can assist you in developing your go-to-market strategy by:

Identifying your top sales channels (retail, DTC, food service, etc.)

Developing your pricing strategy

Assisting you with planning marketing for launch

Guiding you on where and how to pitch your product

In short, they assist you in creating a new product launch strategy that's smart, targeted, and realistic.

Working with Seven Claves

If you're committed to launching your food or beverage product the right way, this is where we step in. At Seven Claves, we have the expertise to help brands like yours translate great ideas into great products.

We're among the leading food and beverage consulting companies with the goal of assisting you in engaging consumers and fueling food product development and sales. We have experienced beverage development consultants who guide you through every process, from idea to launch.

We assist with:

Market research

Product formulation

Branding and positioning

Production and scaling

And yes, we'll assist you in creating a strong new product launch strategy that provides your brand with the greatest chances of success.

Conclusion

If you’re starting a food or beverage brand, don’t go it alone. The journey is full of hurdles, but it’s a lot smoother with the right guide by your side.

A food and beverage consultant brings the experience, structure, and support that most new brands need. From developing a great product to getting it in front of the right people, their role is critical.

Whether you're developing a concept or are ready to open, having a food & beverage consultant like Seven Claves on your team allows you to steer clear of expensive errors, conserve time, and create something to be proud of.

So, if you're committed to making your food idea a successful business, let's get started. We're here to assist you in making it happen.