Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP), Burlington, Mass., and Frisco, Texas, announced the expansion of its current partnership with iconic Italian coffee company Lavazza Group to include wider sales and distribution of Lavazza K-Cup pods and the introduction of the company’s Canadian brand, Kicking Horse Coffee, to the K-Cup pod format.

Under the agreement, KDP will continue to be the exclusive sourcing partner and manufacturer of premium Lavazza K-Cup pods and add sales and distribution responsibilities in retail and eCommerce across the United States and Canada. Future availability of premium coffee brand Kicking Horse Coffee in a K-Cup pod will provide a new experience for consumers to enjoy the brand through the Keurig brewing system.

“Lavazza has been a valued partner since 2014 and we are pleased to continue our collaboration as the brand becomes a member of our licensed brand family,” said Patrick Minogue, president of U.S. Coffee, in a statement. “Having renowned, premium coffee brands Lavazza and now Kicking Horse Coffee as part of the K-Cup pod family underscores our ability to drive growth while providing consumers premium coffee brands available to enjoy at home.”

Hossam Ashraf, Lavazza North America president, added: “This partnership marks a significant milestone for Lavazza and Kicking Horse, as it opens new avenues to reach a wider audience of coffee enthusiasts. It represents an exceptional opportunity to fortify our collaboration with KDP. At Lavazza Group, we take pride in our commitment to passion, integrity, and expertise, all of which contribute to delivering superior, high-quality coffee. We believe that KDP is the right partner to bring this exceptional coffee experience to more consumers across North America.”

Cedric Malaga, CEO of Kicking Horse Coffee shared: “At Kicking Horse Coffee, our mission is to bring better coffee to the world ― we call it the best of coffee with the best of intentions. Sharing our always Fair Trade and organic roasts with as many people as possible means we're delivering on this mission.”

Keurig Dr Pepper and Lavazza Group promote the cultivation and trade of coffee in a manner that benefits coffee farmers, their communities and the environment. Both companies are committed to responsibly sourcing their coffee and are members of World Coffee Research — an international coalition of stakeholders working together to make a global impact and secure the quality of coffee for generations to come.