A hot sauce brand doesn't scale on taste alone. It scales on consistency, traceability, and trust.

Matt Pittaluga, Co-Founder of Hank Sauce, joins hosts Reid Jackson and Liz Sertl to share how a college project became a product sold in more than 5,000 stores. He breaks down the early hustle, the jump into retail, and what it takes to keep quality tight as demand grows.

You'll also hear how Hank Sauce approaches traceability through product codes to track ingredients from batch creation to store shelves.

This episode is a replay of our conversation with Matt, brought back for anyone building, scaling, or supplying food brands.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How Hank Sauce scaled its distribution to national retailers

• The importance of traceability in ensuring food safety and product quality

• Strategies for building networks to expand brand reach

Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Introducing Next Level Supply Chain

(01:34) The Hank Sauce story

(06:38) Grassroots marketing and early sales strategies

(13:34) Scaling up distribution to large retailers

(16:38) The importance of traceability and food safety

(19:51) Building a brand with a limited marketing budget

(23:43) Advice for new entrepreneurs

(31:22) Matt Pittaluga's favorite tech

Connect with GS1 US:

Our website - www.gs1us.org

GS1 US on LinkedIn

Register now for this year's GS1 Connect and get an early bird discount of 10% when you register by March 31 at connect.gs1us.org.

Connect with the guest:

Matt Pittaluga on LinkedIn

Check out Hank Sauce