Surprising celebrity-led food and drink brands

Snoop Dogg's cereal is making waves, but he's not the only celebrity with a food or drink brand. From bourbon to ice cream, these are the most fascinating celebrity-driven brands you've probably never heard of.

Snoop Dogg has been in the news lately, but it was for breakfast cereal, not music. Broadus Foods, the brand founded by Calvin Broadus (aka Snoop Dogg) and No Limit Records founder Percy Miller (aka Master P), recently announced Supermarket giant Walmart They are accused of conspiring with Post Consumer Brands to hide the cereal from customers and sabotage their own products by claiming they were out of stock.

Snoop Dogg might not be the first person you think of when it comes to cereal, but he's not the only surprising celebrity in the food and beverage market. Tangled rootssays there's a good reason for that: “We are still in the midst of a cultural idealization of celebrities, especially big names, so it's no surprise that celebrity-backed food and drink brands — two of the most culturally sensitive and agile product categories on the planet — have been incredibly successful in both marketing and initial sales,” he explains.

George Clooney's Casamigos Tequila and Cardi B's Whipshot are notable examples, but there are plenty of celebrity-driven companies that have become more cult favorites than box office hits. “Brands where the celebrity is the obvious attention-grabber and has little to do with the 'why' behind the category or brand do more harm than good,” says Katie Krenczewski, founder of Brooklyn-based creative agency Smack Studio. But successful pairings like Venus Williams' Happy Viking and Jennifer Garner's Once Upon a Farm Organic are examples of win-wins.

Like Snoop's cereal, these seven celebrity-owned brands have staying power.

Singer and actress Cher, known for hits like “Believe” and films like “Moonstruck,” also founded a gelato brand called “Cellato.” The line boasts unique flavors that are as diverse as her music, including the vegan “Heavenly Hazelnut” and “Breakfast at Cher's Coffee & Donuts.”

Eric Legrand was a former Rutgers University football player who suffered a career-ending spinal cord injury during a game at Rutgers. He signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a symbolic gesture.He is now an inspirational speaker and the face of his eponymous whiskey brand, Eric Legrand Bourbon, which launched in March 2023.

“A lot of people see a disabled person in a wheelchair and assume that they can't enjoy alcohol or other luxuries. I want them to know that's not the case and I want to eradicate that stigma,” Legrand said. The brand has pledged to donate $5.20 (£4.68) from every case sold to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation to support people living with paralysis.

With hits like “Lady Marmalade” and “On My Own,” Patti LaBelle has been a household name for over 50 years. Beyond music, Patti has branched out into the food industry with her own brand, Patti's Good Life. Launched in 2015, her products include soul food desserts like sweet potato pies, cobblers, and sauces. Her products are sold in various grocery stores across the United States, including Walmart and Kroger. Prices vary depending on the item, but her famous sweet potato pies are usually less than $4 (£3.17).

Rapper 50 Cent has an interesting story, Iconic Fan He has also held corporate roles with brands such as G-Unit Films and Cheetah Vision. In 2019, Jackson launched a luxury cognac brand, Branson Cognac. The spirit is the official cognac of the Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings. Prices range from approximately $50 to $250 (£39 to £198) per bottle.

Danny Trejo has been an actor for over 40 years. He's known for frequently playing tough-guy roles in film and television, as well as for his voice work in children's shows like Monsters at Work and Ghost and Molly McGee.

He's also an entrepreneur: His restaurant brand, Trejo's Tacos, now has four locations in Los Angeles. A sober Trejo is known for serving non-alcoholic mocktails. And if the Mexican flavors of his taqueria aren't enough, Trejo has branched out into doughnuts. Trejo's doughnuts are made in small batches and include vegan options. Fans who want to try making them at home can also get their hands on his cookbook.

Proud New Jerseyan, Jon Bon Jovi opened JBJ Soul Kitchen, a community restaurant with four locations in New Jersey. The restaurant operates on a pay-what-you-can model and serves farm-to-table meals. Created to combat food insecurity, the four locations have no prices on the menu and are free to eat. Building on this philanthropic philosophy, Bon Jovi's foundation has expanded to include a line of spices, JBJ Soul Seasonings.

He's an Academy Award-winning actor and a great guy. Tom Hankswho currently serves as producer on shows for Apple TV+. Master of the Sky He is also the owner of Hanx Coffee, a company that offers a wide range of premium coffee beans and blends, ethically and sustainably sourcing coffee beans from farmers around the world with profits from sales supporting veterans and military families.