Wild Badger Management

Services

Market entry consulting for any state

For beer, wine, spirits and cider brands entering a new state. We plan the entry, file with that state's alcohol agency, find the distributor and build the launch. One state or ten.

Book a Zoom call

We work with

  • Beer
  • Wine
  • Spirits
  • Cider
  • RTD

What you get

Why hire us for this

Built for: Out-of-state and international brands, U.S. importers, and brands opening their next state.

Right license, first time

The supplier or nonresident license each state requires, filed and tracked.

Every SKU registered

Brand and label registrations in every state that requires them, matched to your COLAs.

The right distributor

Shortlist, pitch materials and introductions.

Pricing that works

A three-tier margin model before you quote.

A real launch plan

Your first 90 days, mapped. Then the next state.

The play

Five moves. We run them in every state.

  1. Label approval

    TTB COLA for each label.

    • COLA
    Rejected label

  2. State license

    From the state ABC. In Texas: BN for beer, S for wine and spirits.

    • BN
    • S
    Wrong permit

  3. Brand registration

    Every SKU, in every state that requires it.

    • AIMS
    • $25
    Stuck SKUs

  4. Distributor

    The partner who sells you in.

    • BB
    • W
    Contract you can't exit

  5. Shelf and bar

    Pricing, sampling and marketing.

    • P
    • MB
    Rule-breaking promo

Every state's agency  ·  The Texas playbook

State by state

What each new state asks for

Rules change at every state line. We map them before you ship.

Supplier license

Most states license out-of-state suppliers before they sell to a wholesaler. 41 do for wine.

Brand registration

32 states require brand or label registration for wine before it ships.

Shipment reports

33 states require monthly reports of what you shipped in.

Franchise rules

Beer franchise laws in almost every state. Wine and spirits in just under half.

Price posting

Some states make suppliers or wholesalers file prices in advance.

Business and tax

Secretary of State registration and a revenue account, on top of the alcohol license.

Counts are for wine suppliers, per Wine Institute. Beer and spirits rules differ by state.

Chalkboard play diagram with beer can, bourbon bottle and whistle

Coming from overseas?

Need a U.S. importer too?

Our sister company, Artisanal Imports, has imported specialty beer and cider nationally since 2001. We can cover import and state entry on one call.

À la carte

Fixed scope, quoted after a short call. Government fees are separate.

Market Entry

  • Market assessmentOne-timeFit, channels and route to market, any state
  • Multistate entry mapOne-timeEvery license and registration, state by state
  • Supplier licensePer stateNonresident or importer license, any state
  • Brand registrationPer SKUPer SKU, per state, matched to its COLA
  • Distributor searchProjectShortlist, pitch and introductions
  • Pricing and margin modelOne-timeLaid-in cost to shelf price
  • Territory planOne-timeWhich states first, which next
  • Launch planOne-timeYour first 90 days
  • Sell sheets and deckProjectDistributor-ready materials

Retainers and programs

Or sign up for the season

Monthly retainer

Compliance Desk

Your TTB and state ABC paperwork, every month, every state.

  • Renewal calendar
  • New SKU registrations
  • Amendments
  • State reports
Monthly retainer

Brand Team

Your brand team in any market.

  • Fractional brand manager
  • Distributor management
  • Sell-in and sampling
  • Monthly reporting
Monthly retainer

Full Roster

Every service, one team, one plan.

  • Compliance
  • Back office
  • Brand team
  • Marketing and media
Program

90-Day Market Entry Sprint

License, registration, pricing, distributor introductions and launch plan for one state in 90 days.

Program

Multistate Rollout

Add states in waves: licenses, registrations and distributors on one plan and one calendar.

Program

Launch Season

The Sprint plus three months of sales and marketing.

FAQ

Quick answers

What license does an out-of-state brand need?

Most states require a supplier, nonresident or importer license from the state alcohol agency before you sell to a wholesaler there. The name changes by state. In Texas it is a BN for beer or an S for wine and spirits. We map the right one for every state on your list.

Do we need to register products in every state?

In many states, yes. Most require brand or label registration before a product ships, and many also require monthly shipment reports. We file both.

How long does entry into a new state take?

It depends on TTB, the state agency and distributor interest. Some states move in weeks, others take months. We map your timeline state by state on the first call.

More services: Licensing & Compliance · Brand Management & Sales · Marketing & Media Buying · Back Office & Bookkeeping · Bar & Hospitality Consulting

Ready to break into your next state?

Book a 30-minute Zoom call. Leave with a game plan.

Book a Zoom call