Dear Client:
BBD has learned that Reyes is quickly working toward an agreement to buy RNDC operations across several states, as we first reported in January [see BBD 01-13-2026]. But the list of markets has evolved since the beginning of the year, going from seven to 11 – and including four net new states for Reyes: Colorado, Arizona, Oklahoma and Louisiana. That would bring the wholesaler to 15 states (and Washington DC) of total coverage.
Pending government approvals, such a deal is expected to close by the end of May.
Reyes has issued a statement on the seemingly imminent tie-up with details.
“We are excited to announce that we have expanded and updated the markets that we will purchase from Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) to include Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Washington, D.C.,” the company said. (Though the list has expanded since we first wrote about it, note that the previous list included the Illinois RNDC operation; it no longer does.)
Reyes Beverage Group CEO Tom Day said the company is “incredibly excited” to expand its footprint in new and existing markets.
“This is an important milestone in Reyes’ history, and we thank the RNDC team for their collaboration,” he said. “Together we are committed to supporting employees and suppliers through this transition.”
The company promised to share updates as they come. There is no word on affected workforce, but Reyes generally tries to retain employees in its acquisitions.
As BBD readers know, RNDC is in more than 30 states, but it was clear the wholesaler was in trouble when hot spirits suppliers started moving from the house the last couple of years, starting with Sazerac in late ’22/early ’23. That exodus reached fever pitch in 2025, and culminated with RNDC’s leaving the California market last summer.
We’ve heard whispers that Reyes may be looking at other deals as well. It’s like the theme from our Summit earlier this year: For most distributors in this environment, it’s get bigger, or get swallowed. Stay tuned.
Until Monday,
Jenn, Jordan, Bianca, and Harry
“To be or not to be. That’s not really a question.”
– Jean-Luc Godard
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