Celsius Holdings Inc., Boca Raton, Fla., announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Alani Nutrition LLC (Alani Nu) for $1.8 billion including $150 million in tax assets for a net purchase price of $1.65 billion, comprising a mix of cash and stock. 

The transaction will combine two growing, scaled brands in the U.S. energy drink category, creating a leading better-for-you, functional lifestyle platform that is well positioned to capitalize on the growing consumer preference for zero-sugar alternatives.

Founded in 2018, Alani Nu is a growing, female-focused brand that delivers functional beverages and wellness products that are aspirational yet accessible for a growing community of Gen Z and millennial consumers. 

Alani Nu provides complementary brand positioning and access to attractive female consumer demographics driving incremental energy drink category growth. The acquisition is expected to provide the opportunity for additional, adjacent category expansion, ultimately enabling Celsius to reach more people, in more places, more often. The added breadth of the combined platform is expected to further strengthen the company’s position with ample resources for ongoing growth investment.

John Fieldly, Chairman and CEO of Celsius, said: “Celsius is at a defining moment in the better-for-you, functional lifestyle products movement, and we are thrilled to welcome Alani Nu to the Celsius family. We have deep respect for the strong community of supporters and fans Alani Nu has developed and the authentic brand and partnerships they have formed. Together, we expect to broaden the availability of Alani Nu’s functional products to help more people achieve their wellness goals with great-tasting, functional product options at more moments throughout their lives.”

Katy Schneider, co-founder of Alani Nu, commented: “When we founded Alani Nu in 2018, our goal was simple: to create products that made women feel their absolute best — inside and out. Watching this brand grow into a movement of strong, confident women has been the honor of a lifetime. As Alani Nu enters this next chapter with Celsius, I have full confidence that they are the best partner to enhance Alani Nu’s growth and success while staying true to what makes it so special. I’m incredibly proud of everything we’ve built and beyond grateful for this amazing community who made it all possible. I’m thrilled for Alani to reach new heights.”

Max Clemons, co-founder and co-CEO of Congo Brands, which operates Alani Nu, added, “We believe Celsius can unlock key growth opportunities for Alani Nu and are excited to partner with John and the Celsius team as they continue to disrupt and grow the functional beverage space.”

Retail sales of Alani Nu in total U.S. MULO Plus with Convenience increased by 78% year over year as reported by Circana for the last-four-week period ended Jan. 26. Alani Nu dollar share for the same last-four-week-period was 4.8%, an increase of 200 basis points from the prior-year period.

Upon closing, Alani Nu will operate within Celsius, and key members of the Congo Brands leadership team have agreed to continue as advisers to Celsius to help ensure continued business momentum.

With the addition of Alani Nu, the combined Celsius platform is expected to drive $2 billion in sales across a differentiated energy portfolio that is firmly aligned with the ongoing consumer shift toward premium, functional beverage options that cater to health and wellness and active lifestyles.

Combines two growing, scaled energy brands with clear category tailwinds. The transaction is expected to enhance Celsius’ position as an innovative leader in the large, growing global energy category, which is projected to grow at a 10% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2024 to 20294, with a scaled, on-trend, sugar-free platform.

The combination provides complementary brand positioning and attractive consumer demographics and is expected to drive incremental category growth, it says. Alani Nu will provide Celsius expanded access to a fast-growing, wellness-focused audience that is driving incremental category growth.

Leverages combined strengths and capabilities to drive the next phase of growth. The added breadth of the combined platform is expected to further strengthen the company’s position with ample resources for ongoing growth investment. Both brands will be well positioned under the Celsius platform to drive continued distribution gains, access consumers in growing adjacencies, drive innovation and brand awareness, achieve incremental category growth and propel further global expansion.

Enhances topline growth algorithm and is expected to be cash EPS accretive in year one with a meaningful synergy opportunity. The acquisition of Alani Nu is expected to add significant topline scale and growth and is expected to be accretive to cash EPS in the first full year of ownership; $50 million of run-rate cost synergies are expected to be achieved over two years post-close, contributing to strong pro-forma profitability and significant cash flow generation.

The agreement has been approved by the Celsius Board of Directors. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2025.