Slice soda is getting revived, but with a renewed focus on health and natural flavoring. Slice first hit the market in the 90's and was able to gain some recognition thanks to its orange flavored soda, but was ultimately discontinued by PepsiCo. Slice's revival is being lead by Mark Thomann, a Chicago entrepreneur who has made a name for himself by buying up legacy brands' relinquished trademarks. Thomann was able to acquire Slice after PepsiCo let the right lapse, and Thomann now hopes to relaunch the drink under a new manufacturer he's calling New Slice Ventures.
As full-sugar sodas have take a nose-dive in recent years, the new Slice soda is reworking itself to be something a little healthier. Thomann hopes to turn the soda into a more flavored carbonated beverage that is more palatable than sparkling water. New Slice soda will therefore be positioned as a lower-sugar, lower-calorie beverage that is sweetened with real fruit juice. Thomman and his business partners hope to begin selling cans of new Slice soda in six months, and predict that within five years, Slice will be a $100 million brand.
Revived 90s Sodas
Slice Soda is Seeing a Rebirth with but with a New Focus on Healthy Ingredients
Trend Themes
1. Healthy Soda Alternatives - The revival of Slice soda with a focus on natural flavoring and lower sugar content presents an opportunity for the development of healthier alternatives to traditional sodas.
2. Legacy Brands Resurgence - The success of entrepreneur Mark Thomann in acquiring and relaunching legacy brands like Slice soda highlights the potential for the revival of other discontinued products.
3. Real Fruit Sweeteners - The use of real fruit juice as a sweetener in new Slice soda demonstrates the trend of incorporating natural ingredients into food and beverage products.
Industry Implications
1. Beverage Industry - The revival of Slice soda and its focus on healthier ingredients presents opportunities for innovation and competition within the beverage industry.
2. Food Manufacturing - The launch of new Slice soda under a new manufacturer showcases the potential for disruptive innovation in the food manufacturing industry.
3. Trademark Acquisition - Entrepreneurs like Mark Thomann acquiring relinquished trademarks of legacy brands opens up opportunities in the trademark acquisition industry.