CORONA, CALIF. — Monster Beverage Corp. worked on getting recently acquired Bang Energy drinks into as many retail outlets as possible in the third quarter ended Sept. 30.

Monster Beverage completed the acquisition of Bang Energy from Vital Pharmaceuticals, Inc. on July 31 and in September launched Bang Energy in 12 single stock-keeping units (SKUs) and two multipack SKUs through Coca-Cola bottlers.

Vital Pharmaceuticals owned Bang when it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2022.

“Remember that a number of both convenience and chain and other large stores discontinued the Bang brand during a period where there was a litigation and also where the products were questionable as regards to labeling,” said Hilton H. Schlosberg, co-chief executive officer and vice chairman of Monster Beverage, in a Nov. 2 earning call. “There was a lot of discontinuation of Bang throughout the system.

“What we are doing and what our Coke bottlers are doing is regaining the distribution that is out there for Bang. Also, we are, as a company, making presentations to the large and smaller retailers both convenience, grocery, mass and obviously, the club channel to ensure that Bang is restocked in their sets. That will take a little bit of time. It doesn't happen overnight.”

 In the quarter, Corona-based Monster Beverage had net income of $453 million, or 43¢ per share on the common stock, which was up 40% from $322 million, or 31¢ per share, in the previous year’s third quarter. Net sales increased 14% to $1.86 billion from $1.62 billion in the previous year’s third quarter.

Within the company’s Monster Energy drinks segment, sales increased 14% to $1.71 billion from $1.5 billion. The segment primarily includes Monster Energy drinks, Reign total body fuel high-performance energy drinks, Reign Storm total wellness energy drinks and Bang Energy drinks. Bang Energy sales are included within the Monster Energy drinks segment and are not given separately, Mr. Schlosberg said.

In the strategic brands segment, sales increased 11% to $99 million from $89 million. The segment primarily includes various energy drink brands acquired from The Coca-Cola Co. and Monster Beverage’s affordable energy brands.

In the alcohol brands segment, sales increased 58% to $42 million from $27 million. The segment primarily includes The Beast Unleashed, which was launched in the first quarter of 2023, and various craft beers and hard seltzers purchased as part of the CANarchy transaction in February of 2022.

“We are pleased with the initial results of The Beast Unleashed and are continuing to expand distribution with the goal of being available in substantially all of the United States by the end of 2023,” said Rodney Cyril Sacks, co-CEO and chairman of Monster Beverage. “We plan to launch Nasty Beast Hard Tea in the first quarter of 2024 with the goal of being of national distribution in the first half of next year. Nasty Beast Hard Tea will be available in four flavors and will be sold in 24-hour single-serve cans as well as in a variety 12-pack of 12-oz sleek cans.”

Over the first nine months of the fiscal year, Monster Beverage had net income of $1.26 billion, or $1.21 per share on the common stock, which was up 42% from $890 million, or 84¢ per share, in the same time of the previous year. Nine-month net sales increased 13% to $5.41 billion from $4.80 billion.