Koios Beverage Corp.: Fit Soda™ to be Carried in Over 100 Southwestern U.S. Locations of a National Convenience Chain with Over 3,800 Stores, Starting in June 2021

Rhea-AI Summary

Koios Beverage Corp. (CSE: KBEV; OTC: KBEVF) is expanding distribution of its Fit Soda™ flavors in June 2021 to over 100 Speedway convenience store locations in the Southwestern U.S. This follows Speedway's recent acquisition by 7-Eleven, significantly broadening Koios's market reach. In Q2 2021, Koios added over 1,100 new retail points, including all Food Lion supermarkets. The company aims to capitalize on growing demand for low/no sugar beverages and expects further expansion opportunities through its new relationship with 7-Eleven.

Positive

• Expansion of Fit Soda™ to over 100 Speedway locations enhances market presence.
• In Q2 2021, added more than 1,100 new retail points.
• Leverage potential national placement opportunities through 7-Eleven.

Negative

• None.

DENVER and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Koios Beverage Corp. (CSE: KBEV; OTC: KBEVF) (the "Company" or "Koios") is pleased to announce that in June 2021, all four Fit Soda™ flavours will be carried in over 100 gasoline and convenience outlets operated by Speedway LLC (“Speedway”) in the Southwestern United States. Speedway is a national convenience chain with approximately 3,800 locations across the country, which was officially acquired last week by 7-Eleven, Inc. (“7-Eleven”), the largest chain in the convenience retailing industry¹. Speedway was founded in 1938 in Michigan and rapidly grew throughout the Midwest under the ownership of the Marathon oil empire, before its acquisition by 7-Eleven at which time Speedway’s presence had spread to 36 states.

As carbonated seltzer soft drinks with low/no sugar content or calories continue to gain market share in the global beverage industry, the Company has aggressively pursued strategic shelf placement opportunities for Fit Soda™ in regional and national chains of grocery and convenience retailers. In Q2 2021 alone, the Company has added Fit Soda™ to more than 1,100 new points of sale, primarily from a recent placement in all locations of Food Lion, a major supermarket chain in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States (announced in a press release dated May 11, 2021).

In its press release announcing the acquisition of Speedway, 7-Eleven indicated its portfolio of stores now amounts to approximately 14,000 North American stores including 47 of the 50 most populated metro areas of the United States¹. The Company believes that its new indirect business relationship with 7-Eleven through one of its banner stores could also potentially lead to national placement opportunities for the Company’s beverage products to include Fit Soda™ and KOIOS™.

At the outset, Fit Soda™ will be sold in Speedway locations in select markets in the Southwestern U.S., which could complement the product’s existing presence in regional chains such as Sprouts (as first announced in a press release dated March 4, 2021). Based on the performance of Fit Soda™ in these markets, the Company may pursue an expanded presence in Speedway stores in other regions. After California (489 stores), the states with the most Speedway locations include: Ohio (488 stores), New York (328 stores), and Indiana (307 stores)².

Koios CEO Chris Miller commented, “Continued interest in our beverage products from well-known convenience, sports nutrition and grocery chains is great assurance that we are gaining traction in the functional beverages category. Industry trends are clearly shifting towards ‘seltzer’ type drinks with low/no sugar or calories, and the performance of Fit Soda™ to date seems to reflect positive reception of the product. We are confident that patrons of Speedway stores in our initial markets will have similar impressions, and we look forward to working with Speedway’s expert team of merchandisers to form an optimal strategy for making Fit Soda™ a recognized brand name as an alternative to legacy carbonated soft drinks.”

Sources

1 - https://corp.7-eleven.com/corp-press-releases/05-14-2021-7-eleven-inc-completes-acquisition-of-3-800-speedway-stores

2 - https://www.statista.com/statistics/1027705/speedway-convenience-store-by-state/

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company,

KOIOS BEVERAGE CORP.

“Chris Miller”

Chris Miller, CEO, and Director

THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE (CSE) HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS RELEASE.

About Koios Beverage Corp.

The Company is an emerging functional beverage company which has an available distribution network of more than 4,400 retail locations across the United States in which to sell its products. Koios has relationships with some of the largest and most reputable distributors in the United States, including Europa Sports, Muscle Foods USA, KeHE, and Wishing-U-Well. Koios uses a proprietary blend of nootropics and natural organic compounds to enhance human productivity without using harmful chemicals or stimulants. Koios products have been shown to enhance focus, concentration, mental capacity, memory retention, cognitive function, alertness, brain capacity and create all day mental clarity. Its ingredients are specifically designed to target brain function by increasing blood flow, oxygen levels and neural connections in the brain.

Koios produces one of the only drinks in the world infused with MCT oil. MCT oil is derived from coconuts and has been shown to help the body burn fat more effectively, create lasting energy from a natural food source, produce ketones in the brain, allowing for greater brain function and clarity, support healthy hormone production and improve immunity. For more information, please visit our website: https://www.koiosbeveragecorp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Often, but not always, forward-looking information and information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking information in this news release includes statements regarding: Potential placement of Fit Soda™ in approximately 100 Speedway stores in the Southwestern United States, and potential performance of such placements. The forward-looking information reflects management's current expectations based on information currently available and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking information. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include: (i) adverse market conditions; (ii) changes to the growth and size of the functional beverage markets; and (iii) other factors beyond the control of the Company. The Company operates in a rapidly evolving environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is impossible for the Company’s management to predict all risk factors, nor can the Company assess the impact of all factors on Company’s business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking information. The forward-looking information included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

The statements in this news release have not been evaluated by Health Canada or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. As each individual is different, the benefits, if any, of taking the Company’s products will vary from person to person. No claims or guarantees can be made as to the effects of the Company’s products on an individual's health and well-being. The Company’s products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

This news release may contain trademarked names of third-party entities (or their respective offerings with trademarked names) typically in reference to (i) relationships had by Koios with such third-party entities as referred to in this release and/or (ii) client/vendor/service provider parties whose relationship with Koios is/are referred to in this release. All rights to such trademarks are reserved by their respective owners or licensees.

FAQ

What recent distribution news involves Koios Beverage Corp. and KBEVF?

Koios Beverage Corp. announced that its Fit Soda™ flavors will be available in over 100 Speedway locations across the Southwestern U.S. starting in June 2021.

How many new retail points did Koios add in Q2 2021?

In Q2 2021, Koios added more than 1,100 new retail points of sale.

How does the Speedway acquisition by 7-Eleven impact KBEVF?

The acquisition by 7-Eleven could provide Koios with potential national placement opportunities for its products, enhancing its distribution network.

What is the significance of the <em>Fit Soda</em>™ expansion for KBEVF investors?

The expansion to Speedway stores is an important step for Koios in gaining market share in the growing low/no sugar beverage segment, which may positively influence sales and investor confidence.