HOLLYWOOD, Fla., Sept. 30, 2020 – Hard Rock International (HRI) today announced a brand licensing partnership with Stewart’s Enterprises, Inc., the exclusive licensee of the original Stewart’s Root Beer brand and other popular Stewart’s beverage offerings, to bring Hard Rock® Premium Hard Seltzer to fans nationwide later this year. Hard Rock Premium Hard Seltzer is crafted for music fans in a variety of stand-out options that highlight Hard Rock Cafe’s® most prominent cocktails and fan favorite flavors, with each can featuring the iconic Hard Rock® logo and a guitar symbol. Fans eager to bring home Hard Rock Premium Hard Seltzer can visit select beverage retailers and grocery stores nationwide beginning this holiday season.
The brand licensing partnership between Hard Rock International and Stewart’s Enterprises, Inc. was negotiated by Broad Street Licensing Group (BSLG), a recognized leader in international brand licensing. In February 2020, HRI announced its partnership with BSLG to further extend the world-renowned dining and entertainment brand’s consumer reach through targeted products that emphasize the brand’s core DNA that is deeply rooted in music. In addition to Hard Rock Premium Hard Seltzer, HRI and BSLG will continue to introduce a variety of new and exciting products to fans around the world throughout 2020 and beyond.
“Through our partnership with Stewart’s, we have created truly unique flavor profiles and music-inspired package designs that fans will love,” said Mark Linduski, Director of Licensing for Hard Rock International. “As we continue our efforts to grow Hard Rock’s licensing platform globally, this collaboration positions us as a premium brand within a surging category.”
“We are thrilled to be working with the licensing team at Hard Rock International and Broad Street Licensing Group to bring a premium hard seltzer to Hard Rock and Stewart’s fans alike,” said Frank Rubba, Founder and President of Stewart’s Enterprises. “We look forward to introducing Hard Rock Premium Hard Seltzer to retailers nationwide and all places where hard seltzer is currently sold.”
“The excitement around the partnership is immense,” said Peter Strahm, CEO of Stewart’s International. “The combination of an iconic brand entering a red-hot category has our team literally ready to rock.”
For inquiries about potential licensing opportunities in other categories with Hard Rock, contact Mark Linduski, Director of Licensing for Hard Rock International, at Mark.Linduski@hardrock.com. For more information about licensing opportunities for food, beverages and culinary hard goods with Hard Rock, contact Bill Cross, SVP Business Development, at Bill.Cross@BSLG.com. For additional information on the Hard Rock brand, please visit www.hardrock.com.
About Hard Rock®
Hard Rock International (HRI) is one of the most globally recognized companies with venues in 248 locations spanning 70 countries that include owned, licensed or managed Hotels, Casinos, Rock Shops®, Cafes and Hard Rock Live concert halls. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns and showcases the world’s most valuable collection of music memorabilia at more than 83,000 pieces. In 2020, Hard Rock International was honored as one of Forbes Magazine’s Best Employers for Diversity and Top Employers for Women. Hard Rock was recognized as one of the top performing hotel brands in J.D. Power’s 2020 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Study for the second consecutive year. HRI destinations are located in the world’s greatest international gateway cities, including its two most successful flagship properties in Florida and home to the world’s first Guitar Hotel® in South Florida, where its headquarters are located. The brand is owned by HRI parent entity The Seminole Tribe of Florida. For more information on Hard Rock International visit www.hardrock.com or shop.hardrock.com.
About Stewart’s Enterprises, Inc.
Stewarts Enterprises Incorporated is the exclusive licensee of the original Stewarts Root Beer brand, its trademarks and intellectual properties for all Stewarts retail products other than non-alcoholic sodas. Stewarts Enterprises Inc. is currently engaged in a trademark acquisition transaction which SEI fully acquired all equity, worldwide trademarks and intellectual properties of the Stewarts Root Beer brand. Stewarts Enterprises has developed a national spiked seltzer product line, Stewarts Spiked Seltzer, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Stewarts Spiked Inc. SEI will also be developing the Stewarts Hard Soda product line, as well as all other Stewarts retail consumer products consisting of beverages, food, apparel and confectionery product lines.
About Broad Street Licensing Group
Broad Street Licensing Group (BSLG) is an award-winning restaurant, food & beverage brand licensing agency, and has been named to License! Global magazine’s top global licensing firms for 8 consecutive years. For 25 years, BSLG’s focus on bringing brands into food & beverage retail channels has provided clients with unparalleled depth of experience, expertise and success across multiple categories, channels and delivery platforms, both in the US and internationally. Their roster of successes includes Burger King, SeaPak Seafood, Farm Rich Foods, Old World Spices, Playboy, Tony Roma’s, Steak n Shake, 99 Restaurants, Culinary Institute of America, Unilever, Cutty Sark and Guinness.
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