Challenge

Fenomenal needs high quality co-mans for their portfolio of brands, and doesn’t have thousands to waste.

Susanne Brose and her Fenomenal team specialize in crafting iconic branding, packaging, and strategic marketing to help entrepreneurs take their products from concept to market, launching or relaunching their CPG businesses. Brose and her team have worked with brokers and consultants in the past to find co-manufacturers but after thousands of dollars wasted and poor matching, knew there had to be a better way for their business as well as their clients.

Luckily, Brose found PartnerSlate and revolutionized Fenomenal’s go-to-market process, allowing them to build their own brand and utilize their resources more efficiently while growing CPG brands to household favorites.

“In my experience being a food and beverage entrepreneur myself, there’s a lot (of co-mans) out there that will screw you. That’s not what is in PartnerSlate. You guys do such a great job of keeping out the toxicity.“

Solution

Thorough and anonymous project listings on the Marketplace bring compatible co-mans to Brose’s team, eliminating their initial searching and vetting.

Brose and her team convert their brand needs into a project listing which is reviewed over a call by our Matching Advisor team for anonymity and accuracy before publishing to the Co-Man Marketplace.

1. Matching-AI alerts the top 20 co-manufacturers within seconds

“And that’s why we’re doing this on PartnerSlate. This isn’t about asking a friend of a friend, ‘Hey do you know anybody?’ No, no, no, no, no. There are specific requirements you have.” Rather than relying on directories or web searches, project listings are published and PartnerSlate’s proprietary matching AI cross references the listing with thousands of co-manufacture profiles and alerts the most compatible. The co-mans are able to review all the information they need to know anonymously before indicating their interest in connecting.

2. Fenomenal creates a shortlist of potential partners in just a few days

With just a few back and forth emails, Brose’s team is able to identify the most viable partners from a list of compatible and available co-mans and pass the shortlist on to the client for final conversations. “Two emails back and forth… Is this a good fit? We’re not in here kicking tires. we’re here to take everyone seriously.”

3. Within weeks, samples are made and a final partner is selected

“I call it the Goldilocks.” The expedited process allows Brose’s team to focus on creating the best product to their client’s specifications, and select a manufacturer that is a good relational fit as well as production fit. What previously took months or years and cost thousands of dollars requires only $199 and a few weeks. “It’s reliable, legally tight, very serious. They have just taken all the bull**** out of it. [PartnerSlate has] taken the ‘expensive’ out of it too.”

“100% the process and security of it. Like that’s why Fenomenal uses it, right? We can vouch for it, that we can bring this to our clients and say, this is fully secure. They (PartnerSlate) have a tight process. We don’t do anything without an NDA, but I can get an NDA in 30 seconds. And that is the difference, that it’s reliable… There’s no better value in the business.“

Results

Fenomenal cuts clients’ time to production by up to 75%.

“Acceleration is there. That is really a value of (the PartnerSlate) platform…You can compress this from 12 months, two years… you can compress this to four months.” Brose and her team expedite their own business cycle, getting their clients through to production in a quarter of the time.

“Get on the platform and you can go to market in four months. You can stop dreaming about your food product and just do it.“

Explore how PartnerSlate can help your team at partnerslate.com.

Learn more about Fenomenal’s work here.

The post How Fenomenal cuts time to production by 75% with PartnerSlate appeared first on PartnerSlate.

“It was within minutes of putting the proposal (project listing) up there that we were already getting responses and inquiries from co-mans.”

Challenge

Fenomenal’s client had been searching for a co-man for 2 years and was losing hope of ever bringing his sauces to market.

A CIA trained chef, Chef John D’Eredita had a portfolio of three incredible and unique sauces however after two years of searching for a co-manufacturer to produce them at scale, he thought it would be impossible. No one was able to replicate his recipes or able to grow with his brand the way he needed. He was close to giving up on ever launching Mama Dita’s.

John’s consulting team at Fenomenal decided to turn to PartnerSlate, knowing that no other platform boasted the number or quality of relationships. At first it was a hard sell to a chef who is so protective of his recipe and intellectual property. Susanne Brose, founder of Fenomenal, knew it would take experiencing the power of the platform for John to trust that they’d be able to do what seemed impossible and find a partner who could earn his trust and meet all his needs.

“That (scaling a chef’s recipe) was the challenge. That is going to take a very special relationship with the right partner. And that’s why we’re doing this on PartnerSlate. This isn’t about just asking a friend of a friend, ‘Hey, do you know anybody?’ No, no, no, no, no. There are specific requirements you have.“

Solution

PartnerSlate’s Marketplace expedited the search process and delivered high quality and interested partners in minutes.

After a call with the PartnerSlate team, Mama Dita’s needs were carefully converted into a project listing and reviewed by Antonella, Lead Brand Matching Advisor, for anonymity and accuracy.

1. Within minutes, compatible co-mans were requesting to chat.

PartnerSlate’s proprietary matching AI alerted the most compatible co-mans in the network of 6,000+, and after years of seeking out co-mans, Chef John was sitting back while connection requests from high quality, startup-friendly companies rolled in. Seeing really was believing.

2. Fourteen co-mans had connected in only one week and a shortlist of four was created.

With such a thorough listing, the co-mans knew exactly what the brand needed and could confidently request to connect knowing they were top candidates. Brose exchanged emails with each lead and narrowed down to a shortlist of four partners for Chef John to have calls with. “We had inquiries from great, great partners and had open and transparent conversations.”

3. In just three weeks, Mama Dita’s had a new production partner confirmed.

Three of the four shortlisted partners produced samples from the chef’s recipes and in less than a month from publishing their project, Mama Dita’s had their perfect co-manufacturer. “I call it the Goldilocks…They understand how entrepreneurs work, think, operate, and they give just enough hand-holding… I can’t imagine a more dream scenario for any startup.”

“It’s reliable, legally tight, very serious. They have just taken all the bull**** out of it… There’s no better value in the business.“

Results

Mama Dita’s launched in only 4 months, going to market in Spring of 2025.

“(Production) in four months? Unheard of!” Fenomenal added another successful launch to their portfolio by leveraging their partnership with PartnerSlate. The high-quality and fast results from the Marketplace allowed Mama Dita’s to meet their deadlines and fill their pre-orders, launching the brand with 3 delicious, chef approved SKUs. Mama Dita’s is actively growing their footprint and has a partner who is able to scale with them as they build their customer base.

“It (PartnerSlate) really is a dream for entrepreneurs and a dream for really the industry. It really is disrupting the industry.“

Explore how PartnerSlate can help your team at partnerslate.com.

Special thanks to Susanne Brose and Fenomenal for sharing Mama Dita’s success.

The post How Fenomenal found their client a perfect co-man in only 3 weeks with PartnerSlate appeared first on PartnerSlate.

Challenge

Chef John had been searching for a co-man for 2 years and was losing hope of ever bringing his sauces to market.

A CIA trained chef, Chef John D’Eredita had a portfolio of three incredible and unique sauces however after two years of searching for a co-manufacturer to produce them at scale, he thought it would be impossible. As a corporate chef for ShopRite, John had deep connections in the industry that he tried to call upon, but still couldn’t find someone who was able to both replicate his recipes and grow with his brand. He was close to giving up on ever launching Mama Dita’s.

John’s consulting team, led by Susanne Brose of Fenomenal, decided to turn to PartnerSlate, knowing that no other platform boasted the number or quality of relationships, and could turn up co-mans who were willing to be partners, not just suppliers.

“A lot of people wanted to manipulate our recipes and manipulate our sauces, and just change it to what works best for them in a factory. So when Susanne was like, ‘Hey, I have a great idea – PartnerSlate.’ I was like ‘It sounds awesome.’ Like a dating website for people who want to find a co-manufacturer.“

Solution

PartnerSlate’s Marketplace expedited the search process and delivered high quality and interested partners in minutes.

After a call with the PartnerSlate team, Mama Dita’s needs were carefully converted into a project listing and reviewed by Antonella, Lead Brand Matching Advisor, for anonymity and accuracy.

1. Within minutes, compatible co-mans were requesting to chat.

PartnerSlate’s proprietary matching AI alerted the most compatible co-mans in the network of 6,000+, and after years of seeking out co-mans, Chef John was sitting back while connection requests from high quality, startup-friendly companies rolled in. Seeing really was believing.

2. Fourteen co-mans had connected in only one week and a shortlist of four was created.

With such a thorough listing, the co-mans knew exactly what the brand needed and could confidently request to connect knowing they were top candidates. Within days, a shortlist of the top four potential partners was created.

3. In just three weeks, Mama Dita’s had a new production partner confirmed.

Three of the four shortlisted partners produced samples from the chef’s recipes and in less than a month from publishing their project, Mama Dita’s had their perfect co-manufacturer. As Brose said, “I call it the Goldilocks…They understand how entrepreneurs work, think, operate, and they give just enough hand-holding… I can’t imagine a more dream scenario for any startup.”

“It was really fantastic in terms of how many people it (the project listing) attracted and finally finding somebody.“

Mama Dita’s launched in only 4 months, going to market in Spring of 2025.

“…through [PartnerSlate] we got lucky to find just the perfect people.” The high-quality and fast results from the Marketplace allowed Mama Dita’s to meet their deadlines and fill their pre-orders, launching the brand with 3 delicious, chef approved SKUs. Mama Dita’s is actively growing their footprint and has a partner who is able to scale with them as they build their customer base.

“[PartnerSlate] is a great place to meet a co-packer or manufacturer that is willing to do something that most people won’t.“

Explore how PartnerSlate can help your team at partnerslate.com.

The post How Mama Dita’s found their perfect co-man in only 3 weeks with PartnerSlate appeared first on PartnerSlate.

Want help vetting co-mans based on retailer requirements?

We’ve created retailer-specific guides for Whole Foods, Costco, Thrive Market, Amazon Fresh, Target, and more. See our blog for all the guides! PartnerSlate can also help you match with one that’s retail-ready from day one.

The post Compare Requirements by Retailer appeared first on PartnerSlate.

Across the U.S., an increasing number of states are introducing legislation to ban, restrict, or require labeling for synthetic food dyes such as Red 3, Yellow 5, and Blue 1. Meanwhile, the FDA has already moved to revoke authorization for certain dyes, with more regulatory shifts likely on the horizon.

These changes are poised to significantly impact product development, manufacturing, and compliance for CPG brands—especially those in categories like confections, gummies, desserts, baking mixes, and beverages.

Here’s what you need to know to get ahead of the curve.

The Current Landscape of Synthetic Color Regulation

As of April 2025, more than 100 active bills across 33 U.S. states are targeting synthetic food additives, particularly artificial colors.

Some of the key developments include:

• West Virginia passed a bill banning all FD&C dyes in food, effective January 2028, and in school meals starting August 2025.
• California and Virginia have banned FD&C dyes in school meals beginning in 2027.
• The FDA announced it will revoke the use of Red No. 3 in food and ingested drugs, effective January 15, 2027.
• The “Make America Health Again” commission, backed by Health and Human Services, is prioritizing scrutiny of synthetic dyes, preservatives, emulsifiers, and flavors.

While timelines vary, the direction is clear: artificial food dyes are on the way out—and CPG brands will need to act fast to remain compliant.

What This Means for CPG Brands

If your products contain any synthetic dyes (Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3), you may soon be forced to reformulate.

But compliance is only one part of the challenge. Successful reformulation also requires maintaining:

• Visual appeal
• Flavor integrity
• Functional performance
• Consumer trust

Natural alternatives—such as color extracts from fruits, vegetables, and botanicals—are available, but they often come with:

• Taste and aroma tradeoffs
• Higher cost of goods sold (COGS)
• Stability or consistency issues
• Regulatory use restrictions by category

Navigating these challenges isn’t just an R&D task—it requires cross-functional coordination across your regulatory, procurement, product development, and manufacturing teams.

The Time to Act Is Now

The reformulation process takes time. From sourcing ingredients to conducting taste trials to validating new formulations with co-manufacturers, a proper transition often takes 12 to 18 months.

That’s why leading CPG companies are already initiating these changes. Brands that wait until 2026 may find themselves scrambling to meet compliance deadlines—or worse, out of spec and off shelves. Additionally, with consumers now hyper-aware of these ingredients, their purchasing habits may change in advance of the bans, so the time to act is now.

Here are four steps to get started:

1. Audit Your Ingredient List

Identify which of your SKUs include synthetic dyes and which markets are affected by pending or approved regulations.

2. Evaluate Your Current Manufacturing Capabilities

Is your current co-manufacturer able to work with natural alternatives? Do they offer formulation support or have experience with school-compliant and clean-label products?

3. Engage with Regulatory & Flavor Experts

Reformulation success depends on maintaining both compliance and taste. You’ll need experts who understand the science and regulation behind natural colorants and taste-masking solutions. McCormick Flavor Solutions are industry leaders in formulating flavors and colors.

4. Find the Right Partners Now

If your current manufacturer or supplier network isn’t equipped for this transition, now is the time to secure new partnerships—before co-mans and formulation labs hit capacity.

How PartnerSlate Can Help

At PartnerSlate, we work with thousands of qualified contract manufacturers and product development specialists who are already adapting to the upcoming regulatory changes.

Whether you’re looking to:

• Reformulate an existing product,
• Develop a new clean-label version, or
• Find a co-manufacturer that understands natural color integration,

we can connect you with the right partner quickly and confidently.

Our platform matches food and beverage brands with trusted production and formulation partners based on product type, capability, certifications, and more. We cut the search time down so you can focus on what matters—getting compliant, staying delicious, and keeping your brand growing.

‍

Credit to Alex Brewer, Director of Regulatory Affairs at McCormick, for expert insights and advice.

The post Synthetic Color Bans Are Coming: What CPG Brands Need to Know and Do Now appeared first on PartnerSlate.

“We’ve done over a million dollars in less than a year with business they referred!… The quality of matches we receive is exceptional, ensuring that we connect with the right partners who align with our business goals.”

The Challenge

World Wide Gourmet Foods Inc was wasting too much time on unqualified leads using other platforms

As a tech industry veteran, Jack Praino, President & CEO of World Wide Gourmet Foods Inc, was no stranger to using innovative platforms to improve his lead generation. He worked with brokers and companies claiming to provide quality leads, and invested thousands in platforms that require up front payments promising to revolutionize his co-manufacturing partnerships, which only burned him, turning out to be “all hat and no cowboy.”

That’s why PartnerSlate stood out – their success was fully dependent on his. PartnerSlate’s business model is built to be aligned with their co-man network, only charging co-mans a small fee when they actually reach production with a new client. With no up-front costs and a team that had been deeply involved in the co-man and CPG community for years, Praino knew he had struck gold.

“One of the most significant benefits has been the time saved vetting leads. PartnerSlate’s thorough screening process means we can focus our efforts on developing relationships rather than spending hours filtering through potential contacts.“

The Stats

AI-matching paired with expert guidance delivers curated pre-qualified and vetted brand project leads

When hundreds of leads come in from all sources every month, qualifying and vetting can be a full time job for many co-mans. PartnerSlate cuts that to a fraction of the time and effort. Here’s what it looked like for Praino:

1. Average of 12 custom project recommendations per month

It takes a lot to determine if a brand is a good fit. That’s why every brand is interviewed by the PartnerSlate team and spends approximately an hour nailing down the project listing so only the most compatible co-mans are alerted. Utilizing AI to facilitate the matching process means the Marketplace can 100x what brokers provide while maintaining broker-level quality matches.

2. 100+ brand connections made

While not every brand connection results in production, by PartnerSlate filtering out the noise Praino only spoke with brands he was already interested in and compatible with. The highly detailed project listings gave him everything he needed to know and helped him make educated decisions in seconds. His likelihood of striking gold with a PartnerSlate lead was much higher than with any other source or platform.

3. $1M+ in new revenue

“Their commission is 모든 페니 가치 and it is less than we pay brokers.” Less time and energy to determine a fit meant Praino could act quickly for the right brands and get in when they needed his services most. Timing is everything, and Praino was suddenly connecting with brands who knew exactly what they needed and had POs in hand driving their actions.

“The support and assistance from the PartnerSlate team have been outstanding. They are always available to help and provide valuable insights, making our experience even more seamless.“

The Outcome

World Wide Gourmet has grown their business and expanded their network beyond what any other service has provided.

“Additionally, partnering with PartnerSlate has opened up numerous opportunities for us, expanding our network and enhancing our business growth.” Praino not only has benefited from reducing his onboarding efforts to land high quality, growing clients, he has also joined the PartnerSlate team at their Co-Packer Pavilions at Supply Side West and IFT First, getting to network with other co-mans, suppliers, and industry experts. PartnerSlate’s deep connections in the industry spanning years opens up doors to genuine connections and realized business opportunities.

“Their platform is a vital tool in our strategy, and we highly recommend it to anyone looking to optimize their partnership efforts. Thank you, PartnerSlate, for making such a positive impact on our business!“

Explore how PartnerSlate can help your team at partnerslate.com.

The post How World Wide Gourmet Foods grew their co-man business by $1M+ with PartnerSlate appeared first on PartnerSlate.

“PartnerSlate was a huge help when we found ourselves searching for a new partner for upcoming retail distribution.”

Challenge

Finding a co-manufacturer for an urgent PO was a near impossible task for the DEUX team.

With a PO from Sprouts in hand, Kristina, VP of Operations, and her team were running into the problem that most scaling brands face: finding a co-manufacturer is time consuming and costly. Their Better-For-You donut line was taking off and they needed a new production partner to fill the order ASAP or face losing the deal. A process that typically takes between 6-12 months had to be cut to weeks.

Luckily, Kristina found PartnerSlate and after a quick conversation with co-founder, Matt Suggs, saw the potential it held for her brand.

“The platform streamlines the process of early conversations (NDA, product information etc.) and saved us a huge amount of time by avoiding repetition and matching us with partners that already had the capabilities we were looking for. Not to mention the quality level and expertise of the co-manufacturers is incredible.“

Solution

PartnerSlate’s Marketplace expedited the search process and delivered high quality and interested partners in days.

After a call with the PartnerSlate team, DEUX’s needs were carefully converted into a project listing and reviewed by Antonella, our lead Brand Matching Advisor, for anonymity and accuracy.

1. Matching-AI alerted the top 20 co-manufacturers within seconds

Rather than relying on directories or web searches, the project listing was cross-compared with thousands of co-man profiles in our up-to-date database. The best co-mans for the job were notified of the new project within seconds of it being published anonymously, putting the ball in their court.

2. Within a week, 4 co-mans had reached out

With such a thorough listing, the co-mans knew exactly what the brand needed and could confidently request to connect knowing they were top candidates. Kristina got to view their profiles of capabilities and services before accepting their connection requests, giving her the final say about when to release her brand’s identity. Rather than spending weeks or months searching or hiring brokers, interested manufacturers were delivered right to her.

3. Within one month, DEUX had a new production partner confirmed

PartnerSlate’s strength doesn’t just lie in our AI-driven matching system, but our deep relationships in the industry. The DEUX project listing was thorough and accurate to their needs, and their timeline was clear. Knowing this going into the very first conversation, the potential manufacturing partners knew how to structure the conversation for the best results for them both. The PartnerSlate team was there to smooth along the process, ensure transparency on both sides, and follow up to make sure no miscommunications sidetracked their progress.

Results

DEUX reached production in 3 months to fill their Sprouts order and launch a new partnership.

The high-quality and fast results from the Marketplace allowed DEUX to meet their Sprouts order and ship to more than 400 new retail locations. DEUX continues to grow with that producer today, scaling their volumes to dominate their niche with consistently delicious treats.

“We are very happy with the co-manufacturers we have connected with through this (PartnerSlate’s) platform and cannot recommend it enough!“

Explore how PartnerSlate can help your team at partnerslate.com.

The post How DEUX Found a New Co-Man in 1 Month and Saved Their Sprouts Launch Using PartnerSlate appeared first on PartnerSlate.