Royal Cup, Inc., a leading importer, roaster and distributor of premium and specialty coffees and teas in the U.S:, announces that it recently acquired Teasy Teas, LLC, a Birmingham-based manufacturer of gourmet and artisan teas, in a strategic move to expand and diversify its specialty tea offerings.
Marshall Malone, former owner of Teasy Teas and Alabama Chai, has joined the Royal Cup team as its Tea Category Manager. “We are excited to continue our effort to operate in perfect harmony with consumer demand,” said Robert Cole, vice president of marketing at Royal Cup.
“Early on, we pinpointed a notable shift toward tea consumption in the beverage industry, especially with respect to the millennial generation,” continued Cole. “Our acquisition of Teasy Teas not only provides us with an increased catalog of premium teas to meet that demand, but also positions Marshall Malone within the organization to help us maintain our upward trajectory in the tea market.”
Founded in New England, Marshall Malone’s Teasy Teas – formerly known as Portsmouth Tea Company – moved to Birmingham in 2012. Malone, an Alabama native, recognized that his unique talents would be best utilized when backed by the resources of a company like Royal Cup.
“I spent over a decade growing Teasy Teas from just an idea into a company that serviced over 6,000 consumers, including hotels, inns and cafés across the United States,” said Marshall Malone, tea category manager at Royal Cup. “This partnership has enabled me to utilize my tea expertise on a much larger scale, and I’m excited to help lead the charge as Royal Cup continues to grow its tea market share.”
The specialty tea market is currently growing at 12-15 percent per year. This timely acquisition positions Royal Cup to better service its clients’ dynamic needs and meet changing market conditions.
In addition to Teasy Teas, Royal Cup also acquired sister company Alabama Chai.
