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Don Vultaggio: AriZona Beverage Company - The Snap Decision That Outsmarted Snapple

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Manage episode 503691678 series 1324390
Content provided by Guy Raz | Wondery. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Guy Raz | Wondery or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.

What does it take to turn a Brooklyn beer salesman into the king of iced tea?

In the early 1990s, the iced tea market was dominated by Lipton, Nestea, and Snapple. But Don Vultaggio saw an opening. A single moment—watching Snapple cases fly off a truck in winter—sparked an idea that would change his life: why not sell tea in a tallboy can?

AriZona exploded—outselling Snapple and becoming a multi-billion-dollar brand.

Behind the success was struggle: Don fought to keep the company private. and faced a painful 10-year legal battle with his former friend and co-founder.

In this episode, Don reveals:

  • How he stayed independent in an industry dominated by giants.
  • Why Snapple stumbled after being acquired—and how AriZona avoided the same fate.
  • Why he wants AriZona to remain a multi-generational family business.
  • Why packaging can be more powerful than advertising.
  • How AriZona holds onto its 99c price tag

Follow How I Built This:

Instagram → @howibuiltthis

X → @HowIBuiltThis

Facebook → How I Built This

Follow Guy Raz:

Instagram → @guy.raz

X → @guyraz

Substack → guyraz.substack.com

Website → guyraz.com

This episode was produced by Rommel Wood with music composed by Ramtin Arablouei.

It was edited by Neva Grant with research help from Iman Maani.

Our engineers were Maggie Luthar and Gilly Moon.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  continue reading

804 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 503691678 series 1324390
Content provided by Guy Raz | Wondery. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Guy Raz | Wondery or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.

What does it take to turn a Brooklyn beer salesman into the king of iced tea?

In the early 1990s, the iced tea market was dominated by Lipton, Nestea, and Snapple. But Don Vultaggio saw an opening. A single moment—watching Snapple cases fly off a truck in winter—sparked an idea that would change his life: why not sell tea in a tallboy can?

AriZona exploded—outselling Snapple and becoming a multi-billion-dollar brand.

Behind the success was struggle: Don fought to keep the company private. and faced a painful 10-year legal battle with his former friend and co-founder.

In this episode, Don reveals:

  • How he stayed independent in an industry dominated by giants.
  • Why Snapple stumbled after being acquired—and how AriZona avoided the same fate.
  • Why he wants AriZona to remain a multi-generational family business.
  • Why packaging can be more powerful than advertising.
  • How AriZona holds onto its 99c price tag

Follow How I Built This:

Instagram → @howibuiltthis

X → @HowIBuiltThis

Facebook → How I Built This

Follow Guy Raz:

Instagram → @guy.raz

X → @guyraz

Substack → guyraz.substack.com

Website → guyraz.com

This episode was produced by Rommel Wood with music composed by Ramtin Arablouei.

It was edited by Neva Grant with research help from Iman Maani.

Our engineers were Maggie Luthar and Gilly Moon.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  continue reading

804 episodes

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