Branded KCup pods | Photo credit: LisaChi / Shutterstock

Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) is expanding its partnership with Italian coffee roaster Lavazza to include sales and distribution responsibilities for retail and e-commerce across the US and Canada. 
 

The new agreement will also see Texas-based KDP add Lavazza’s Canadia-based Kicking Horse Coffee to its K-Cup portfolio, which also includes McCafé, Starbucks, La Colombe Coffee Roasters, Dunkin’, Peet’s Coffee and Tim Hortons. 
 

KDP will continue to be the exclusive sourcing partner and manufacturer of premium Lavazza KCup pods in North America.  
 

In a joint press release, Lavazza North America President Hossam Ashraf said the new agreement, represents a ‘significant milestone’ for the coffee giants and would open new avenues to reach a wider audience of coffee enthusiasts’.  
 

“Lavazza has been a valued partner since 2014 and we are pleased to continue our collaboration as the brand becomes a member of our licensed brand family. Having renowned, premium coffee brands Lavazza and now Kicking Horse Coffee as part of the K-Cup pod family underscores our ability to drive growth while providing consumers premium coffee brands available to enjoy at home,” said Patrick Minogue, President, US Coffee.   
 

The move looks set to further strengtghen Lavazza’s position in the North American at-home coffee market and follows the launch of a co-branded retail packaged coffee range with Paris Baguette North America in December 2023.
 

KDP operates a portfolio of more than 125 owned, licensed and partner brands. In October 2023 the coffee and soft beverages group announced plans to invest $100m to expand its K-Cup pod roasting and manufacturing facility in South Carolina.