Beverage development is not an easy process. Once you have come up with an idea for a new beverage and chosen your target customers, you need to figure out which ingredients to use, where to source them from, work tirelessly to achieve the desired flavor profile, find ideal production options, design the packaging, and so on. Fortunately, a beverage development company can take care of this entire process and work with you to take your product from concept to shelf.
Ideal beverage development companies are not only aware of the latest industry trends but are also ahead of the curve. They have an advanced development process stemming from years of experience in the field, making them well-equipped to work with start-ups and entrepreneurs to launch their innovative drinks in the market. Moreover, these companies also work with the best ingredient vendors and packaging suppliers, so you won’t have to worry about a single thing. Along with guiding you down the right path, professional beverage developers will also help you save money and time – two of the most important things in any business.
So, are you wondering how to hire your next beverage development company? Here are a few tips you must keep in mind while choosing your partners for beverage formulation.
Testimonials and Success Stories
Before you shortlist any beverage development companies for the project, it is always good to check out the testimonials on their website. If the company has a high percentage of positive reviews and testimonials, it makes them look more credible and trustworthy. In addition, testimonials by past clients can provide a unique insight into the company culture, their work process, and what steps they may take to satisfy each client.
You can also try and find out about the top clients a beverage formulation company has recently worked with. Going through their success stories will also allow you to learn about their most successful products.
List of Services
It is important to familiarize yourself with the range of services provided by a beverage development company before getting into business with them.
Here are some of the questions you may want to ask your shortlisted beverage formulation companies:
- What will they do to refine your concept further?
- Will they create a formula for your beverage?
- Do they expect you to have a home recipe?
- How do they prepare samples?
- If you don’t like the flavor profile or color of the drink, will they change it?
- How long does it take to develop a new beverage?
- Will they help you find ideal packaging options?
- Do they provide logo designing services?
- Will they help secure your supply chains?
Furthermore, don’t forget to ask about their value-added services.
Process Transparency
Since you plan to share your beverage idea with the company, you should also be aware of their development process.
An ideal beverage formulation company would be transparent about its entire process, allowing you to be a part of the project instead of watching it from the sidelines. The beverage experts at these companies will draw on your experience and ask for your input at every stage of the process to ensure they are on the right track. Moreover, they will make recommendations on refining your concept, discussing trending ingredients, informing you about the flavors that may appeal to your target market, finalizing the calorie count, and more.
In addition, the company must also include you in the packaging and designing phase of the beverage development process. Good companies always work with their clients to help build their brand identity.
Experience in the Industry
The beverage development industry is a highly competitive one. However, to hire the best company, you must learn about their experience in the field. Find out if the company has created similar products in the past. If they have, analyze their success ratio. You must also figure out if your shortlisted formulation partners have the required expertise to launch your beverage.
Similarly, if you are looking to develop something completely unique, it is important to work with companies that pride themselves on being trailblazers in this field. Ask them if they are interested in experimenting and developing innovative beverages that haven’t hit the shelves before.
In-House Laboratory
Prioritize working with a beverage development company that has a state-of-the-art, in-house laboratory. This will give you greater control over the product formulation. You can also visit the lab to learn about its equipment, environment, safety protocols, cleanliness, and staff. This usually gives valuable insight into whether a company is equipped to produce your line of beverages.
Ideal beverage development companies also have experienced food scientists and marketing experts on board their cross-functional teams.
Intellectual Property Rights
Last but not least, you must discuss the intellectual property rights of your product before hiring a beverage formulation company.
Typically, companies allow their clients to have 100% intellectual property rights on their drinks. This includes the formula, packaging design, and other assets. However, it is always a good idea to confirm this before making your final decision and signing below any dotted lines.
How to Hire a Professional Beverage Development Company
Do you have an incredible idea that has the potential of becoming the next biggest hit in the beverage industry? If you want to turn your concept into a success story, it is important to work with professionals who have the specific knowledge and skillset to produce custom beverages.
Hiring a beverage formulation company will allow you to work with the top beverage scientists and marketers. These highly qualified individuals will also guide you every step of the way while providing you with the best resources.
So, if you are ready to start working on your own line of beverages, the Drink Labs can be your ideal partner. If you have any questions about the beverage development process, feel free to contact us and bring your drink idea to life.