Beer Business Finance

Health insurance is one of the largest expenses on the P&L, but for most businesses it remains a complete black box.  In this episode, we hear from Erin Butler from BevCap to unpack how employer health insurance really works, why costs keep rising, and how captive insurance arrangements are giving companies a way to take control.  Learn how businesses are reducing healthcare spend by 20–40% while improving employee benefits. You'll also hear a case study of a beer wholesaler saving more than $1 million annually with a captive arrangement.  Key Takeaways: Why health insurance deserves the same financial discipline and cost management as any other major operating expense. What captive health insurance is and how it differs from traditional fully insured plans. How employers can create more transparency and control over healthcare costs. The types of businesses that tend to benefit most from a captive approach (and who may not). A real-world case study showing how one beer wholesaler saved over $1 million per year while improving employee benefits. Resources Connect with Erin from BevCap, ebutler@bevcapmanagement.com Get the Beer Wholesaler Profit Brief - tactics, strategies and best practices to run a more profitable beer business

Artificial intelligence is everywhere in business conversations right now, but for many beer wholesalers, the real challenge is simply knowing where to start.  In this conversation with Bud Dunn from VxP, we cut through the hype and focus on practical ways AI can help wholesalers save time, improve decision-making, and support their teams. Instead of complicated technology projects, Bud shares how AI can assist with sales insights, forecasting, reporting, and everyday administrative work, while reinforcing the roles of experienced people in the business.  If you’ve been curious about AI but unsure how it fits into a wholesale operation, this discussion provides a clear, low-risk framework for getting started. Key Takeaways • Start simple and practical. AI can deliver value quickly by helping summarize reports, analyze sales data, and assist with administrative tasks—no major technology overhaul required. • Use AI to support your sales and leadership teams. Tools can help identify trends, prepare for customer visits, and highlight opportunities in existing sales data. • Focus on time savings first. One of the biggest benefits of AI is reducing repetitive work so managers and teams can focus on strategy, relationships, and decision-making. • Separate real opportunity from hype. AI works best today as a tool for analysis and efficiency—not as a replacement for human judgment or industry experience. • Experiment safely. The best way to adopt AI is through small experiments with clear guardrails, allowing organizations to learn what works without overwhelming the team. Resources Connect with Bud Dunn to learn more about how VxP can supercharge your sales and margin growth - bud@vxptech.com  Grab the free and value-packed Wholesaler Profit Brief -  Clear Numbers, Cash Flow Clarity, and One Practical Action to Improve Financial Results 

In this episode, we hear from Kim McKinnish SVP and COO of the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) to talk about the future of beer.  Kim shares insights on the current state of the industry, the power of advocacy, and key NBWA initiatives including the BREW Initiative, the Next Generation of Leaders Group, and the Beer First Campaign.  Our conversation explores how leadership, relationships, and culture drive stronger businesses — and what distributors can do right now to build a healthier, more sustainable beer industry. In this episode, you’ll learn: An insider’s perspective on the current state of the beer industry and the biggest challenges and opportunities ahead What the BREW Initiative (Building Relationships & Empowering Women) is and how it’s helping develop talent across the industry Why empowering women and building inclusive cultures leads to stronger leadership teams and better business results The purpose behind NBWA’s Next Generation of Leaders Group and how it’s preparing future industry leaders The leadership skills and mindset shifts the next wave of beer professionals need to succeed An overview of the Beer Growth Initiative and NBWA’s Beer First Campaign Practical ways distributors and breweries can put the Beer First mindset into action in sales, marketing, and operations Kim’s outlook on where the beer industry is headed over the next 3–5 years Actionable takeaways for building better teams, better partnerships, and a stronger beer business Do you need tips and strategies to improve cash flow in your beer business?  Get the Beer Business Finance newsletter.  Packed with actionable tactics and best strategies you can implement right away to see real results on your income statement. 

Today, I’m joined by Julie Rhodes, co-founder of Kick Beverages and industry consultant with Not Your Hobby Marketing Solutions.  Julie and her team are making waves with Kick Fizz, a hemp-derived beverage that’s redefining how consumers think about social and functional drinks. In this conversation, we dig into: The inspiration behind Kick Fizz and how Julie identified an opening for a hemp-derived beverage in today’s evolving market. How Kick Beverages positions itself in the space between beer and cannabis—and what that means for brand identity, compliance, and distribution. The science and art behind flavor formulation and dosage, and how Kick Fizz balances taste, experience, and safety. The unique challenges of consumer education in a category that’s still new to many drinkers. And finally, where Julie sees the future of THC beverages heading in the next few years—from retail placement to mainstream adoption. It’s a fascinating look at innovation, regulation, and the business of bringing a completely new beverage category to market. Want to learn more? Connect with Julie@KickBeverages.com.  Sign up for the beer industry financial training newsletter.

Financial results shouldn’t live only in the accounting office, they belong to every department.  In this podcast, I'll share how beer wholesalers can build a culture of financial accountability by giving managers the tools, training, and systems to understand and own their numbers.  You’ll learn how to provide financial literacy education, involve department leaders in high-involvement planning, and run regular financial huddles that turn data into action.  The result: smarter decisions, stronger engagement, and better bottom-line performance across your entire operation. P.S. Don't forget to sign up for the free weekly financial training newsletter specifically created for beer wholesalers.

In today's episode, we hear from RJ Martucci, Partner and Co-Lead of the Food & Beverage Practice at PKF O’Connor Davies, to break down the latest tax rules and strategies affecting beer wholesalers.  From entity structure and depreciation rules to credits, incentives, and estate planning, RJ shares practical guidance to help wholesalers reduce taxes, avoid surprises, and build long-term value.  If you want to keep more cash in your business — both now and when it’s time to exit — this episode is for you. Connect with RJ Martucci - RMartucci@pkfod.com Get the beer industry financial training weekly briefing. 

In today's podcast we dig into the "state of beer" with economist Lester Jones, separating structural shifts from cyclical noise and outlining a practical playbook to drive sales growth.  From broken pricing elasticity to on-premise strategy and demographics, we share data and specific moves. Key Topics:    • industry volumes down and dollars soft  • structural vs cyclical drivers shaping demand  • beer purchasers’ index sentiment and signals  • pricing power fading and elasticity reset  • on-premise momentum, draft advantages, happy hour value  • occasion-led strategy with low and no alcohol  • demographics by life stage, not generations  • policy confusion on tariffs and taxation  • action playbook for wholesalers and brewers Resources:  Join the October 23rd webinar with FinTech and NBWA - Register Here Get the FREE beer business finance newsletter - financial intel delivered straight to your inbox

A CFO who became a head of marketing, eliminated millions in debt, and then built a company to fix distribution blind spots—Doug Veliky’s journey is a masterclass in making beer businesses sturdier and smarter.  We dig into the decisions that actually move the needle: building an internal audit team at Reyes that focused on real compliance risk, redesigning systems at Revolution to produce market-level P&Ls, and consolidating a spaghetti bowl of loans into a revolving line that turned heavy debt into daily cash efficiency.  That financial clarity paved the way for a bold move—buying the production facility—and gave the brewery control over the investments that shape its future. We also get honest about how teams work.  Doug shows how finance, sales, and marketing can stop talking past each other by aligning on the data each team needs: shipments, depletions, pull-through.  The result?  Better forecasts, fewer surprises, and programs that actually show up on the shelf and in the tap list.  Doug's Beer Crunchers platform ties it all together, translating the mechanics of distributors, portfolios, and pricing into stories and tactics people at every level can use.  And when the world flipped, Doug brought a finance brain to digital marketing—prioritizing audience, cadence, and measurable impact. Looking forward, Doug sees moderation evolving beyond non-alcoholic beer into “small beers” and right-sized formats that meet the moment—2.8–3.8% ABV cores and 8.4-ounce packs that fit weekday occasions without losing the ritual.  The catch is prioritization: make it a pillar or skip it.  We close with BrightBev, where Doug helps emerging brands choose the right distributors, set expectations, and invest alongside partners to win velocity, not just placements.  If you care about beer business finance, route-to-market strategy, and building brands that last, this conversation will sharpen your plan for the next four quarters.  Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway—what will you prioritize next? And don't forget to sign up for the Wholesaler Financial Newsletter - tips, tactics, and strategies to help you build a more profitable brewery business. 

Health insurance costs are spiraling out of control for many beer wholesalers, with annual increases of 5-10% that seem impossible to escape.  But what if there was a better way?  What if you could not only stop these relentless increases but actually reduce costs while improving benefits? Erin Butler from BevCap Management reveals how beer distributors across the country are doing exactly that through captive health insurance plans. This isn't just a minor cost adjustment – it's a fundamental reimagining of how wholesalers approach healthcare coverage.  The numbers speak volumes: traditional fully-funded plans average $1,590 per employee monthly, while BevCap's captive members pay just $861.  For a 100-employee distribution business, that's annual savings approaching $900,000. The captive model works particularly well for beer wholesalers because of their homogeneous workforce – predominantly younger males who typically require less healthcare.  By pooling resources across multiple distributors (currently covering about 15,000 lives), the captive gains extraordinary leverage with providers while creating a protective buffer between individual businesses and catastrophic claims. Beyond pure cost savings, distributors gain unprecedented transparency and control.  Members receive detailed claims data that traditional insurers withhold, enabling informed decisions about plan design and cost containment.  Innovative approaches like direct provider contracting and specialized pharmacy management have yielded remarkable results – pharmacy costs alone have dropped 40% for participating members. The most successful wholesalers in the program take an active role, educating employees about benefits, implementing preventative health initiatives, and participating in the collaborative governance structure that guides the captive.  This engagement transforms healthcare from an uncontrollable expense into a strategic advantage that strengthens both the bottom line and employee satisfaction. Ready to explore whether a captive health insurance plan could benefit your beer distribution business?  Contact Erin Butler at BevCap Management to receive a personalized analysis of your potential savings and learn how joining forces with other wholesalers could fundamentally change your approach to employee healthcare. Connect with Erin Butler at BevCap to learn more: ebutler@bevcapmanagement.com, c: 817-343-4651

In this financial workshop with with RJ Martucci from PKF O’Connor Davies, we explore powerful and practical ways for beer wholesalers to get more value from their financial statements. Instead of just glancing at the P&L each month, RJ encourages a layered approach to financial analysis—using multiple tools and perspectives to uncover the full story behind the numbers. From trend analysis to dashboards, it’s all about building a clear picture of performance and spotting opportunities to improve profitability. RJ shared several specific techniques for sharpening your financial analysis. These methods don’t require complex software—just a commitment to consistency, curiosity, and clarity. By using these tools together, businesses can get a much deeper understanding of where they’re winning, where they’re falling short, and what levers to pull for better financial outcomes. Key takeaways from the workshop: Financial trend analysis: Tactics to analyze sales, gross profit, and key expenses over time to spot patterns or warning signs. Budget vs. actual comparisons: Shortcuts to measure performance against targets to manage proactively, not reactively. Year-over-year or period-over-period comparisons: Tips to better understand where the business is growing or falling short. Per case financial metrics: How to normalize sales, costs, and profit data to understand unit economics. Dashboard development: How to build a custom, visual dashboard to track critical KPIs and monitor your real-time financial health. Do this next: Watch the video workshop: Beer Wholesaler Financial Analysis Connect with RJ Martucci, RMartucci@pkfod.com, and learn more about how PKF O’Connor Davies can help your beer wholesaler identify profit opportunities Learn more about the network of beer wholesaler owners and managers working together to drive profits and cash flow

In today's podcast you'll hear the audio version of our Wholesaler Financial Round Table meeting.  This month's topic is on financial analysis techniques and wholesaler financial benchmarks.  Summary of Key Points Financial analysis basics: How to focus on the most important numbers How to follow a financial month-end process to speed up production of the financial statements Standard set of reports and financial benchmarks  Resources Connect with RJ Martucci at PKF O'Connor Davies, RMartucci@pkfod.com Sign up for the FREE wholesaler financial newsletter 

This podcast is all about how to reduce finished product loss (FPL) in your beer business.  Bud Dunn from VxP shares best practices, training ideas, and a cool software tool to help you significantly reduce out of code beer in your business.  Step 1: Calculate how much FPL costs your business each year (probably around 10cents/CE) Step 2: Reach out to Bud to see how you can reduce your FPL to 2-3cents/CE Step 3: Enjoy the savings! Summary Use VxP to grow volume, profit, and reduce finished product loss Common causes of finished product loss and how to avoid them Best practices to manage code dates on packages Resources Connect with Bud from VxP and learn how to save $100K in your beer business this year, bud@vxptech.com Get the FREE wholesaler financial newsletter

Today on the podcast we hear from Dan Lust, Beverage Industry Consultant with Pints, LLC. Dan and I review the top challenges facing the industry and share data analytics, business planning, and performance measurement tactics for distributors and breweries.  Summary Hot topics: Tariffs, pricing, and the importance of sales training Strategic growth planning tactics for breweries  Tools to make data-driven decisions Keys to brewery-wholesaler business relationships Resources Connect with Dan at Pints, LLC Get the FREE beer wholesaler financial newsletter

Today on the podcast we talk all-things truck leasing with Jenn King, Field Sales Manager from Penske. The lease vs. buy question is a big one when it comes to your truck fleet.  Jenn gives us a high-level overview of how truck leasing works, what's included, and a tool to perform a cost analysis so you get the best scenario for your business.  Key Points Lease vs. own analysis tool - how to make the best financial decision for fleet management How to remove risk, increase uptime, and improve budgeting for fleet costs Intangible benefits of full service leasing: DOT inspections, warranty work, safety services, substitute vehicles, and licensing of the fleet Resources Connect with Jenn King at Penske to learn more, Jennifer.king@penske.com Subscribe to the FREE beer business finance newsletter

In our beer wholesaler business we used a self-funded insurance plan to save millions of dollars over the cost of traditional fully funded health plan.  In today's podcast, Erin Butler of BevCap Management will show you how to do the same in your beer business.  Key Takeaways Wholesalers in the BevCap group save $640 per month, per employee compared to the average fully funded insurance premiums. This works out to a savings of $7,680 per year, per employee Example: Beer wholesaler A has 100 employees, saves $7,680 per employee = $768,000 savings...every year 65% of covered workers in the U.S. are in a self-funded plan Owners and CEOs take note: Managing your health insurance and achieving massive savings isn't just the job of HR, it's a leadership issue. Take the first step to learn more about captive insurance. Your income statement (and your employees) will thank you. Resources Connect with Erin Butler to learn more about captive health insurance plans: ebutler@bevcapmanagement.com Get the free financial training newsletter from Beer Business Finance

Today on the podcast we hear from Bob Higgins of P3 Cost Analysts. Bob and his team specialize in identifying and reducing over-spending in your business. We talk all things expense management, cost reduction strategies, and share ideas on how your wholesaler business can save money. Highlights Bob's process for identifying and eliminating unnecessary expenses Biggest cost-saving opportunities that companies commonly overlook The most surprising savings P3 has been able to secure for clients Trends in business expenses today, and where breweries will need to focus their cost-saving efforts in the future Resources Connect with Bob, bhiggins@costanalysts.com Get the free wholesaler financial training newsletter

Today on the podcast we hear from Dave Williams, the Analytics Czar from Bump Williams Consulting. Dave provides a recap of 2024 beer industry data, trends, and insights. We also cover “Dave’s Top 7”. These are the hot topics that he's been hearing about recently in the beer business. Key Points Growth in non-alcohol beer and ready-to-drink products On-premise results Health guidelines and the impact of tariffs Trends in cannabis and crossover brands Resources Connect with Dave, dave@bumpwilliamsconsulting.com Sign up for the Beer Business Finance newsletter. Financial tips and tactics to build a stronger beer business, delivered straight to your inbox.

Today on the podcast we hear from Rebecca Maisel from Gulf Distributing. Rebecca is the Senior VP of Legal and Governmental Affairs and recently elected Chair of the National Beer Wholesalers Association.  Rebecca and I talk about how to become a world class beer wholesaler, her vision for wholesalers to adapt, grow, protect, and invest, and how to continue to innovate in the beer distribution space. Topic Summary Key focus areas for beer wholesalers in legal and governmental affairs Best practices for portfolio management Operations and technology initiatives implemented at Gulf Distributing  How to organize and streamline supplier contracts Resources Connect with Rebecca, rmaisel@gulfdistributing.com Sign up for the free Beer Business Finance newsletter - Financial intel delivered straight to your email inbox

Today on the podcast NBWA's Chief Economist Lester Jones breaks down beer sales data from 2024 and provides an outlook for 2025.  Key Points How did beer do in 2024? What is the data telling us?  Total beer sales / consumption On / Off premise trends Surprising trends and predictions for 2025 Tariffs, inflation, and interest rates...what does it mean for beer sales in 2025? Resources Connect with Lester Jones, ljones@nbwa.org Get the free beer business finance newsletter

In today's podcast you'll get best practices, tools, and inspiration to build your 2025 beer wholesaler financial plan. Topics Covered: Open Q&A: What is your BIG budget challenge right now? 3 Steps to take right now to build a great budget Budget prep outline template to keep you organized 6 Budget questions you need to answer Sample wholesaler budget templates - sales, GP, OPEX, etc. ​Key Takeaways How to overcome analysis paralysis in the budget process Tactics to consolidate multiple business entities Best practices to overcome the 'unknowns' of financial planning One wholesaler's process to achieve a 2-day financial close Resources If you need 1-on-1 help to create your best beer wholesaler budget ever, learn more about my financial coaching package. We'll work together to build your 2025 financial plan.