Milo’s Tea surpasses US$1B in retail sales
The Alabama-based beverage company has more than doubled sales since 2022 while expanding distribution to over 65,000 stores across the US.
USA – Milo’s Tea Company has surpassed $1 billion in retail sales, reaching the milestone ahead of its year-end 2027 projection without making an acquisition.
According to Circana data for the 52 weeks ended September 6, 2026, Milo’s retail sales increased from $450 million in 2022 to $1 billion. Distribution has grown 50% to more than 65,000 stores nationwide, while the brand now reaches one in four US households.
Milo’s, which describes itself as America’s No. 1 selling refrigerated tea and fastest-growing lemonade brand, accounts for nearly half of the refrigerated tea category in both unit and dollar share.
The company was founded in 1946 by Milo and Bea Carlton as a restaurant in Alabama. Their granddaughter, Tricia Wallwork, has served as chair and CEO since 2012, overseeing the company’s expansion into all 50 states.
“If you told my grandparents in 1946 that their walk-up burger stand would grow into a billion-dollar beverage brand, I don’t think they would have believed you, but I know they’d be very proud of the way we did it using their same philosophy: use high-quality real ingredients, always listen to your customers and never sacrifice taste,” Wallwork said.
Milo’s growth has been supported by about $400 million invested in US manufacturing capabilities since 2020. The investment has tripled production capacity and added more than 600 jobs.
The company operates four manufacturing facilities in Bessemer and Birmingham, Alabama; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Wallwork attributed the company’s performance to its People First culture, real-ingredient products, company purpose, execution, retailer relationships and loyal consumers.
“People are the number-one ingredient in our success, and every strategic decision we’ve made over the last 80 years of this company has focused on putting people first,” Wallwork said.
Milo’s said it will continue investing in its manufacturing operations, core beverage portfolio, retailer relationships and product innovation as it expands its.
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