 |
the Joshua Schall Audio ExperienceAuthor: Joshua Schall
Welcome to the Joshua Schall Audio Experience On my podcast, youll hear episodes of my popular short-form Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) news segment "Consumed", a long-form CPG entrepreneurship interview segment "Formula For:", deeper dive segments "Deep Dish CPG", public speaking engagements, and any of my new and current thoughts that I record specifically for this audio experience! Leave a review on iTunes and let me know what you think! Language: en Genres: Business Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
Listen Now...
Future-Proofing Premier Protein: My 3-Step CEO Plan đź‘€ | BellRing Brands 2026 Q1 Update
Thursday, 5 February, 2026
Dear BellRing Brands board of directors…please consider this my formal submission for your open CEO position! BellRing Brands (NYSE: BRBR) is a portfolio that owns a collection of convenient nutrition brands like Premier Protein and Dymatize Nutrition, which was previously wholly-owned by Post Holdings. A fast-paced and busy lifestyle is pushing consumers to switch to quick and healthy meal options. This has resulted in above average categorical growth rates and increased household penetration of RTD protein shakes that promote active lifestyles. Additionally, powders are becoming more mainstream, and category proliferation has created an environment where more consumers are purchasing both every day and performance nutrition positioned protein products at grocery stores and mass retailers. Bellring Brands reported 2026 Q1 net sales of $537.3 million, which was up 0.8% YoY. Premier Protein (~85% of BellRing Brands total revenue) declined 1.2% YoY, resulting from mostly incremental promotions lowering net pricing. Dymatize Nutrition was up 15.8% YoY, stemming from strong volume growth (particularly across international markets). Moreover, I provide deep dives into Premier Protein RTD protein shakes business activity, along with examining similar metrics surrounding the protein powders from Premier Protein and Dymatize Nutrition. But my latest first principles content piece will end with a "formal" submission for the upcoming open CEO position, as Darcy Davenport has decided to retire, effective upon whichever is earlier…the appointment of a new CEO or the end its fiscal year 2026. And most will scoff at my boldness thinking I can run a multibillion-dollar public company…but double-check those receipts because I’d put my very public “visionary field notes” up against anyone regarding BellRing Brands and the larger “wellness CPG” market dynamics. Although more so than anything…I recognized early that what got Premier Protein here, won’t get it there (with “there” being an independent public company with $4 billion in net sales heading into fiscal year 2030). So, I’ll provide future-proofing details on what would arguably be my three most-critical forward-looking strategic initiatives as the new CEO of BellRing Brands. Firstly, as the popularity of protein pushes the macronutrient into top-of-mind status (arguably creating more purchasing impulsivity), I must re-position Premier Protein for this marketplace shift. Secondly, Premier Protein cannot (and should not) become an “everything to everyone” brand. Thirdly, I must hedge against the reality that our protein powder emulsion beverages, which are essentially my entire business, might not be the market’s most desirable consumption experience going forward (and will be foundationally replaced by ultra-filtered milk).
