How to Find a Beverage Co-Packer in 2026: The Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about finding and working with beverage co-packers. Types of co-packers, what to look for, questions to ask, red flags to avoid, and how to evaluate quotes. The insider guide for beverage founders.
The Co-Packer Search Problem
You've got your beverage formula. Maybe you developed it yourself, worked with a food scientist, or used a platform like Genie. Now comes the hard part: finding someone to actually make it.
The beverage co-packer landscape is opaque. There's no central directory. Many manufacturers don't actively market. MOQs aren't published. Pricing is "call for quote." It's designed for established brands with industry connections—not first-time founders.
This guide is the roadmap the industry doesn't give you.
What Is a Beverage Co-Packer?
Co-packer (contract packer) is a manufacturer that produces your product using their equipment and facility. You provide the formula and specifications; they provide the production capability.
Key distinctions:
| Term | What They Do | IP Ownership |
|---|---|---|
| Co-packer | Produces your formula in their facility | You own the formula |
| Toll processor | You provide some/all ingredients, they process | You own formula + may own materials |
| Private label | Sells you their pre-made formulas | They own the formula |
| Full-service | Develops formula AND produces | Varies—verify ownership |
Important: Make sure you're getting co-packing (they make YOUR formula) not private label (you buy THEIR formula). These are very different arrangements with different IP implications.
Types of Beverage Co-Packers
Not all co-packers are the same. Understanding the types helps you target your search.
By Scale
| Type | Typical MOQ | Per-Unit Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beverage incubators | 500-2,500 cases | Higher ($1.50-2.50/unit) | Testing, pilot runs |
| Small regional co-packers | 2,500-10,000 cases | Medium ($0.80-1.50/unit) | New brands, first production |
| Mid-size co-packers | 10,000-50,000 cases | Lower ($0.50-1.00/unit) | Growing brands |
| Large national co-packers | 50,000+ cases | Lowest ($0.35-0.70/unit) | Established brands |
By Capability
Hot-fill co-packers:
- Products filled at high temperature (180-190°F)
- Kills microorganisms, extends shelf life
- Common for juices, teas, sports drinks
- Equipment: Hot-fill lines, cooling tunnels
Cold-fill/aseptic co-packers:
- Products filled at ambient or cold temperatures
- Requires aseptic (sterile) processing
- Better for heat-sensitive ingredients
- Equipment: Aseptic filling systems, sterile tanks
- Higher cost, more complex
Carbonation specialists:
- Carbonated soft drinks, sparkling waters, energy drinks
- Equipment: Carbonation tanks, counter-pressure fillers
- Can be combined with hot-fill or cold-fill
HPP (High Pressure Processing):
- Uses extreme pressure instead of heat
- Preserves nutrients, "fresh" positioning
- Popular for premium juices, wellness shots
- Expensive, limited availability
By Product Type
Some co-packers specialize in specific beverage categories:
- Energy drinks/RTDs: Caffeine handling, functional ingredients
- Juices: HACCP for juice, pasteurization
- Kombucha: Fermentation expertise, alcohol monitoring
- Plant-based/dairy alternative: Specialized homogenization
- Alcoholic beverages: TTB licensing (different regulatory world)
- CBD beverages: State-specific licensing, compliance complexity
What to Look for in a Co-Packer
Must-Haves (Non-Negotiable)
1. FDA Registration Every facility manufacturing food for sale in the US must be registered with FDA. Ask for their FDA registration number and verify it.
2. Food Safety Certification Look for third-party certifications:
- SQF (Safe Quality Food) - Most common for beverages
- BRC (British Retail Consortium) - Global standard
- FSSC 22000 - ISO-based certification
- GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) - Baseline requirement
3. FSMA Compliance The Food Safety Modernization Act requires facilities to have:
- Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls (HARPC)
- Written food safety plans
- Verification and monitoring procedures
4. Equipment Match The co-packer must have equipment for YOUR specific product:
- Correct can/bottle sizes and formats
- Appropriate processing (hot-fill, cold-fill, aseptic)
- Carbonation capability if needed
- Labeling/sleeving equipment that matches your packaging
Nice-to-Haves
Organic certification: Required if you're making organic claims Kosher/Halal certification: Expands market reach Allergen controls: Dedicated lines or rigorous changeover procedures R&D/pilot capabilities: Helpful for formula refinement Warehousing: Some co-packers offer storage Co-manufacturing experience in your category: They understand the nuances
Where to Find Beverage Co-Packers
1. Industry Directories
BevNet's Supplier/Services Directory
- Large database of beverage manufacturers
- Searchable by capability and region
- Free to browse
PMMI's OpX Intelligence
- Contract packaging database
- Filtered search by beverage type
- Requires registration
Thomas Net
- General manufacturing directory
- Search "beverage contract manufacturing"
- Mix of quality varies
2. Trade Shows
BevNet Live - Beverage industry event, co-packers exhibit Natural Products Expo (West/East) - Natural beverage focus PACK EXPO - Packaging and processing equipment, co-packers present Drinktec - International beverage technology show
3. Regional Search
Many co-packers don't market nationally. Search for:
- "[Your state] beverage co-packer"
- "[Your region] drink manufacturer"
- "Beverage contract manufacturing [region]"
4. Industry Networks
LinkedIn: Search "beverage co-packer" or "beverage contract manufacturer" Industry groups: Natural Products Association, Beverage Industry Association Accelerator networks: Food-focused accelerators often have manufacturer relationships
5. Platforms and Marketplaces
Genie's Manufacturer Marketplace - Verified beverage manufacturers with transparent MOQ and pricing PartnerSlate - B2B marketplace for CPG manufacturing Keychain - Manufacturer matching (enterprise-focused)
The Evaluation Process
Found some candidates? Here's how to evaluate them systematically.
Initial Screening Questions
Ask these before visiting or sending detailed specs:
- What types of beverages do you produce? (Verify category fit)
- What's your minimum order quantity? (Eliminate if mismatched)
- What certifications do you hold? (Verify food safety)
- What's your typical lead time? (Understand capacity)
- Do you do R&D/pilot runs? (Helpful for new products)
- What packaging formats do you support? (Verify equipment match)
- Can you share references from similar brands? (Social proof)
Request for Quote (RFQ) Information
When requesting quotes, provide:
- Complete formula/recipe
- Target volume (units per run)
- Packaging specifications (can size, label type)
- Production frequency (one-time vs. recurring)
- Target in-hands date
- Any special requirements (organic, allergen-free, etc.)
Comparing Quotes
Co-packer quotes can be confusing. Make sure you're comparing apples to apples:
| Cost Element | What to Verify |
|---|---|
| Per-unit cost | Does it include everything or are some items separate? |
| Setup/changeover fee | One-time? Per run? Per SKU? |
| Ingredient sourcing | Do they source or do you provide? At what markup? |
| Packaging | Included or billed separately? Who sources? |
| Testing/QC | What's included vs. additional? |
| Labeling/sleeving | Included in per-unit or separate? |
| Palletization/shipping prep | Included? |
| Storage | Any included or all billable? |
| Minimum order | Cases, units, or dollar amount? |
Pro tip: Request quotes for the same volume from multiple co-packers. Some are cheaper at low volumes, others at scale.
Red Flags to Watch For
Communication issues:
- Slow to respond (days/weeks for basic questions)
- Vague or evasive on certifications
- Won't provide references
- Pushy about deposits before answering questions
Capability mismatches:
- Trying to "make it work" with wrong equipment
- No experience in your product category
- Resistance to pilot/trial runs
Business concerns:
- Requires large deposits upfront
- Won't share standard terms/contracts
- Unusually low pricing (often means corners cut)
- Recent ownership changes, financial instability
What Your Co-Packer Needs From You
The relationship works both ways. Being a good client gets you better service.
Documentation You Should Provide
1. Complete Formula/Recipe
- All ingredients with exact specifications
- Percentages or weights per batch
- Processing instructions (mix order, temperatures, times)
- Allergen declarations
2. Packaging Specifications
- Can/bottle size and type
- Label dimensions and placement
- Sleeve/wrap specifications
- Case configuration (12-pack, 24-pack, etc.)
3. Quality Requirements
- Brix, pH, and other measurable targets
- Acceptable ranges for variations
- Shelf life requirements
- Storage conditions
4. Regulatory Documents
- Nutrition Facts panel (or data for lab to calculate)
- Ingredient declarations
- Any required warnings or disclosures
Being a Good Client
Communicate clearly: Respond promptly, provide complete information Be realistic: Understand lead times, don't demand impossible turnarounds Pay on time: Nothing damages relationships faster than payment issues Volume commitments: Honor your forecasts as much as possible Feedback constructively: Issues happen; how you handle them matters
Co-Packer Costs Breakdown
Let's get specific about what beverage co-packing actually costs.
Typical Cost Structure (12oz cans)
First Production Run (10,000 units):
| Component | Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Beverage production | $3,000-5,000 | Mixing, blending, processing |
| Filling/canning | $2,000-3,500 | Filling, seaming, packaging line |
| Cans + ends | $1,500-2,500 | Stock cans; custom adds 50%+ |
| Shrink sleeves | $1,500-2,500 | Full-wrap printed sleeves |
| Ingredients | $1,500-3,500 | Varies significantly by formula |
| QC/testing | $500-1,000 | Micro, chem, sometimes nutrition |
| Trays/cases | $300-500 | Shipping packaging |
| Setup/changeover | $500-1,500 | Often one-time or per-run |
| Total | $10,800-19,000 | $1.08-1.90 per unit |
At Scale (50,000 units):
| Component | Cost Range | Per Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Full production | $25,000-40,000 | $0.50-0.80 |
| Packaging/materials | $7,000-12,000 | $0.14-0.24 |
| Ingredients | $6,000-15,000 | $0.12-0.30 |
| Testing/QC | $1,000-2,000 | $0.02-0.04 |
| Total | $39,000-69,000 | $0.78-1.38 |
Hidden Costs to Watch
Rush fees: 15-50% premium for expedited production Storage fees: $50-150/pallet/month if you can't take delivery quickly Minimum charges: May charge for "full batch" even if you order less Ingredient markup: Some co-packers mark up ingredients 20-50% Testing retests: If your batch fails QC, retests cost extra Kill fees: Cancellation fees if you back out after scheduling
The Contract: What to Negotiate
Key Terms to Review
1. Pricing structure
- Per-unit rate
- What's included vs. separate
- How pricing changes at different volumes
2. MOQ and order flexibility
- Minimum per run
- Minimum per SKU
- Reorder minimums (often lower than first run)
3. Lead times
- Standard lead time
- Capacity guarantees
- Rush options
4. Quality standards
- Specifications your product must meet
- Who pays for failed batches
- Rework vs. disposal policies
5. IP and confidentiality
- Formula confidentiality
- Non-compete clauses
- What happens if relationship ends
6. Payment terms
- Deposit requirements (typically 50% down)
- Balance due timing
- Payment methods
7. Liability and insurance
- Product liability coverage
- Recall procedures
- Who bears cost if their error causes issues
Co-Packer Relationship Management
Finding a co-packer is just the beginning. Maintaining a good relationship is ongoing work.
Communication Cadence
Before production:
- Provide forecast as early as possible
- Confirm specs and materials are correct
- Agree on timeline and milestones
During production:
- Be available for questions
- Respond quickly to issues
- Don't disappear after placing order
After production:
- Review quality and provide feedback
- Pay promptly
- Discuss next orders and any changes
When to Switch Co-Packers
Sometimes the relationship doesn't work. Valid reasons to switch:
- Quality inconsistency - Repeated batch issues
- Communication breakdown - Can't get timely responses
- Capacity constraints - Can't support your growth
- Pricing disconnect - Significantly above market at your volume
- Capability gaps - Need services they don't offer
How to switch gracefully:
- Secure new co-packer before announcing departure
- Provide reasonable notice (30-60 days minimum)
- Complete outstanding orders
- Don't badmouth—industry is small
- Get all your IP/documentation back
How Genie Simplifies Co-Packer Discovery
The traditional co-packer search involves weeks of cold outreach, opaque pricing, and hoping you find a good match.
Genie's Manufacturer Marketplace changes this:
Verified beverage manufacturers: Every manufacturer in our network is vetted for certifications, capability, and track record with emerging brands.
Transparent MOQ and pricing: See minimums and estimated pricing upfront—no "call for quote" runaround.
Category matching: Filter by product type, processing capability, certifications, and minimum order requirements.
Tech Pack ready: If you developed your formula with Genie, your complete manufacturing documentation is ready to share with manufacturers.
Facilitated introductions: Our Full Launch tier includes manufacturer matchmaking and communication facilitation.
Summary: Your Co-Packer Search Checklist
Before you start:
- Formula is complete and documented
- Packaging specifications finalized
- Target volume for first run determined
- Budget established
- Timeline requirements clear
During search:
- Verify FDA registration and food safety certifications
- Confirm equipment matches your product requirements
- Check MOQ aligns with your needs
- Request and check references
- Get quotes from 3-5 co-packers
- Visit top candidates if possible
Before signing:
- Compare quotes on equal basis (all-in costs)
- Review contract terms carefully
- Understand payment requirements
- Clarify IP and confidentiality protections
- Know the exit terms if needed
After selecting:
- Provide complete documentation promptly
- Establish communication cadence
- Confirm production schedule
- Plan for quality review on first batch
- Build relationship for long-term partnership
Ready to Find Your Co-Packer?
Whether you're launching your first beverage or scaling an existing brand, finding the right co-packer is critical.
Genie's Manufacturer Marketplace gives you access to verified beverage manufacturers with transparent pricing—no cold calling, no "call for quote" games.