I’d always seen Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP popcorn at Expo West and of course at supermarkets everywhere. But not until I heard the founders’ journey on Guy Raz’s NPR podcast How I Built This, from their quandary as to how to make a living through finding success years later, did I become entranced with the brand and realize that a list of interviews with food company founders would be so useful.
You can hear their story right here, right now. Or use the links below to listen to other episodes.
The HIBT series features an impressive array of deep, inside stories from relatively new companies to old-time influencers such as Whole Foods Market founder John Mackey.
Natural and Specialty Food & Beverage Company Success Stories – HIBT Podcasts
- Poppi drinks started at a farmers market as many beverage companies do: to solve the founder’s health problems. What a success!
- Liquid Death water in a can — perhaps the ultimate beverage branding success story
- AriZona Tea’s company success story is all about intuition and action. It is an incredible story whether or not you drink anned iced tea. Is it really sold for $.99 as it always was?
- Athletic Brewing Company’s story is surprising and is also a good reminder of sticking to a concept and testing and finding the right staff. I still haven’t had the alcohol-free “near beer” but it sure flies off the shelf!
- Talenti Gelato is the one in the iconic clear plastic containers that make their gelati irresistible. How did Talenti create their gelato success? Give it a listen!
- Chobani has the ultimate founder story, from such humble beginnings without a grand plan for world yogurt domination. Best listened to on a road trip to nowhere!
- Crumbl cookies company story
- Yasso frozen Greek yogurt treats were new to me when I tried a mint chocolate chip yogurt popsicle at Costco. This great podcast tells the story of how an idea became a big business and acquisition.
- Dang Foods – Bay Area crunchy snack food makers reveal all. Love their coconut chips!
- Tate’s Bakeshop – The chocolate chip cookie company’s mad success led to a huge acquisition.
- Sir Kensington‘s began as a whim in college. It’s a great podcast about how organically some food companies evolve and how synchronicity and hard work can be the key to successful exit strategies.
- Pipcorn – the popcorn that started in Brooklyn and pitched on Shark Tank!
- Hint water’s story during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Siete Family Foods – the majorly successful gluten-free tortilla and chip company based in Texas
- Kodiak Cakes – a great story of a homegrown, healthy food product growing into a smash hit product line
- Simple Mills – the paleo snack food and mix company whose almond flour crackers I love
- Vita Coco brought the simple idea of coconut water to the United States from Brazil in 2004 where it was already trending. The rest is history!
- Health-Ade Kombucha shares its healthy growth story.
- Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP: Angie & Dan Bastian
- Justin’s Nut Butter is profiled in Good Food Great Business, and you’ll hear how the company thrived and got acquired on this podcast.
- Dave’s Killer Bread: Dave Dahl
- Tofurky: Seth Tibbott
- Stacy’s Pita Chips: Stacy Madison
- Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams: Jeni Britton Bauer (Jeni’s Instagram chronicling her ice cream product development is a must-watch!)
- New Belgium Brewing Company: Kim Jordan
- Honest Tea: Seth Goldman
- Bob’s Red Mill: Bob Moore
- Ben & Jerry’s: Ben Cohen And Jerry Greenfield
- Stonyfield Yogurt: Gary Hirshberg
- Edible Arrangements: Tariq Farid
- Beyond Meat: Ethan Brown (recorded 2 years before their successful IPO)
Energy Bar Company Stories – How They Built This Podcasts
Yes, because there are so many they need their own grouping here:
- Perfect Snacks is one of my favorite protein bar success stories. I remember discovering them at Expo West. They’ve sure gone far!
- RXBAR: Peter Rahal (whose acquisition $ has left some people’s mouths hanging open still, I’m pretty sure)
- LÄRABAR: Lara Merriken – ditto!
- Clif Bar: Gary Erickson
and another sort of energy product…
Great Restaurant & Coffee Company Stories – How I Built This Podcasts
- Torchy Tacos was new to me. Great episode about this taco truck to restaurants including how they got their name.
- Vivian Ku, Los Angeles owner of 3 restaurants
- Coffee fans and aspiring coffee roasters must listen to the story of La Colombe.
- SingleThread Farms shared stories of charitable feeding during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Famous Dave’s BBQ joints were new to me and are on my “must try” list!
- Shake Shack secrets revealed.
- Celebrity Chef: José Andrés (before he made his mark as a philanthropist / game changer in Puerto Rico and elsewhere)
- Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles helps former gang members thrive in food service and other lines of business
- Panera Bread/Au Bon Pain: Ron Shaich
- Chicken Salad Chick: Stacy Brown
- Five Guys: Jerry Murrell
- Atari & Chuck E. Cheese’s: Nolan Bushnell
- Chipotle: Steve Ells
- Chez Panisse ( Alice Waters )
- Starbucks: Howard Schultz
- Stemple Family Ranch on pivoting their cattle ranch for sustainability and success
Food Apps Tell Their Stories
- To Good to Go is an app to get discounted local fresh foods and help the producers turn their excess food production into cash.
- Goodr talks reclaiming food waste
- Instacart: Apoorva Mehta
My reward for compiling this list was discovering a How I Built This interview with Mark Cuban which I’d never heard before.
