Farmer Brothers Introduces New Line of Premium & Select Hot Teas

TORRANCE, Calif., Dec. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Farmer Bros. Co. (NASDAQ: FARM) has launched its new line of Premium and Select brand hot teas to serve a growing population of tea drinkers. Developed with both operators and discerning tea drinkers in mind, the Premium and Select lines feature a full range of high quality black, green, and herbal teas in both classic and exotic flavors. This latest release from Farmer Brothers offers operators a comprehensive line of hot teas catering to the preferences of nearly 85 percent of U.S. tea drinkers.[1]

Tea offerings in full-service restaurants have grown 53 percent as consumers increasingly look for a hot tea option, particularly at breakfast.[2] Even factoring in the cost of typical disposable cups (8oz. hot cups) and common sweeteners like sugar and zero-calorie alternatives, both hot and iced tea can provide up to an 80 percent profit margin[3] on these beverages, making the new Farmer Brothers Premium and Select tea lines a high-value addition to most menus. In an ongoing effort to support operators at every level, Farmer Brothers has completely redesigned the packaging of the new tea lines with an eye-catching, premium look that is designed to enhance consumer quality perceptions.

"We take pride in every detail to ensure that each cup of tea is a great experience and helps to support our customers' businesses," said Mike Keown, President and CEO of Farmer Brothers. "Our commitment is defined by our heritage of quality craftsmanship."

The Premium and Select brand teas from Farmer Brothers perfectly complement Farmer Brothers' industry-leading coffee and beverage product line. In addition to classic flavors like Earl Grey and Chamomile, the Premium line also includes proprietary blends like Misty Mint^®, English Tradition^®, Enchanting Moments^® and Lively Lemon^®.

As consumer demand for tea continues to trend upwards, Farmer Brothers has positioned itself to support operators and help them take part in the growth of the tea beverage category. With over 100 years of experience serving the restaurant industry, Farmer Brothers continues to develop new and innovative offerings like the Premium and Select brand tea lines to help their customers succeed. For more information, visit www.farmerbros.com.

[1] Farmer Brothers Tea Flavor TURF Analysis 2013
[2] Nations Restaurant News, "Tea Time in America," January 2013
[3] Data Essentials, Proprietary Study for Farmer Brothers

SOURCE Farmer Bros. Co.