PB&J for tax-paying adults.
+ three THC bevs you probably don't know about (but should)
Hello hello!
We hear it all the time from our favorite brands: they finally land their dream retailer (Whole Foods, Target, Sephora...) and then face an operational reality that can feel totally impossible to manage:
Buried in the onboarding docs, there’s a three-letter acronym they suddenly have to become an expert in: EDI.
Most brands get stuck with that from a legacy provider like SPS Commerce, where onboarding is painfully slow, the software looks like it hasn’t been updated since 2007, and every document comes with its own little fee (which, if you’re doing the quick maths, add up fast).
Endless Commerce skips the middleman and builds EDI right into the platform already running your inventory, orders, and warehouse.
Setup takes days (not the mythical “6-8 weeks”), retail POs land like any other order, and you keep control of your ops. Consider it mission control for consumer brands, built by founders who’ve lived the operational chaos themselves 🙃
Nate’s Pickup:
Gallant Tiger PB&J Sandwiches
There’s a lot of noise about the ready-to-eat frozen PB&J sandwich market, which you could essentially call the Uncrustables market, since they dominate the space. They’re a billion-dollar brand for Smucker’s (big enough that they’ve reportedly gone after little guys like Gallant Tiger with cease-and-desist letters over the whole crustless thing). New brands and players are entering, including a multitude of private-label options and buzz-worthy brands like JAMS. The TikTok I made about Welch’s entrance into the space had nearly 300K views!
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And while many of these consumers are undoubtedly adults, they all embrace the nostalgic flavors and marketing of a PB&J. That’s great, and it should exist, but I’m a fully grown man who pays his taxes and wants some fun flavors in my sandwiches. I consider myself a foodie. I watch Top Chef and frequent restaurants around NYC, seeking out unique dishes. I’m that kind of consumer, and Gallant Tiger delivers.
Quick Facts: Chef-driven, crustless frozen PB&J sandwiches made with whole fruit, real ingredients, and thoughtful technique. High in protein and fiber, and 100% vegan. Comes in Strawberry Cardamom and Blueberry Lemon Thyme (or a Mix Pack), sold in 18-packs for $59.99.
Reasons to love:
Bold flavors. With flavors like strawberry cardamom and blueberry lemon thyme, how could you not want to take a bite? I’m a huge fan of mixing cardamom and fruit—the spice adds boldness to the sandwich and pairs perfectly with the peanut butter and bread. I also love blueberry and lemon; one of my favorite ice creams on the market is the blueberry lemon flavor from Jeni’s. Sometimes I just get bored with just strawberry/grape jam and peanut butter. I crave something unique, maybe even a little savory.
The team knows food. Gallant Tiger comes from Kamal Mohamed, the self-taught chef and restaurateur behind Minneapolis spots like StepChld, Nashville Coop, and Parcelle. He grew up cooking in a household full of Ethiopian flavor and treats flavor like art—subjective, personal, and very much worth obsessing over. You can taste that pedigree here. These flavor combinations are the kind of thing a chef would actually put on a plate.
Elevated nostalgia. Something I really love about Gallant Tiger is how they take nostalgic concepts and give them a twist. It’s not just about adding protein, creatine, or other functional ingredients and packaging them in a ‘90s-style product with the same old flavors. They’re elevating the nostalgic format itself. And while it may not be for everyone, it’s definitely for me, and I think a lot of other people want that too. Most of the time, when I want something nostalgic from my childhood, I go seek out the exact same product, and I treat it as a treat. But when I want something nostalgic that isn’t just a treat, Gallant Tiger really scratches that itch for me.
Where to buy: Order online at gallanttiger.com, or find a spot near you on their locations page.
Jenna’s Pickups:
The THC bevs I’ve been sippin’ this summer
This week, we talked a lot about the world of hemp-derived THC bevs. In Monday’s newsletter, we broke down the current regulatory landscape (ft. an impending November ban) and how two THC brands are responding. We then interviewed Jake Bullock, co-founder and CEO of Cann—the category-creator of low-dose THC beverages—on The Curious Consumer podcast, and got the brand’s direct POV on where the category is headed.
We’re hopeful that this ban won’t go into effect. We’re hopeful that this category can keep kicking, perhaps with some more structured, federal regulation upholding it. In the meantime, I want to keep supporting the brands I love in this space. Obviously, one of those brands is Cann—but there are so many others out there offering different flavors, aesthetics, and experiences.
Here are three hemp-derived THC bevs you may not know about, but absolutely should:
Hyde’s Hail Mary: Shandy-style, 5mg THC beverages founded by former NFL player, Micah Hyde!
Occasion: For a hot summer day on the beach or by the pool.
Flavor: Absurdly refreshing, bright, citrusy, and crisp flavors with light carbonation and absolutely zero weird aftertaste. The Apple is my current favorite, but you truly can’t go wrong—try the Ginger if you want something a little more unique and layered.
Vibe: A little more masculine than the typical low-dose THC bev. It almost feels like a classic, trusted beer—something you could easily have in-hand at the barbecue and nobody would second-guess it. And at just 5mg, they give more of a pleasant buzz than a full high (side note: 5mg would destroy me in edible form, but it hits differently in a bev).
Cali Sober: THC “mocktails” in classic cocktail flavors. Comes in both 5mg and “Double” 10mg SKUs.
Occasion: A low-key house party or game night.
Flavor: I would drink these even if they had 0mg in them… they’re that good. The Dirty Shirley (one of the two Double flavors) has my heart—flavored with real dark sweet cherry juice and cane sugar—but I also adore the Ranch Water and Berry Ginger Fizz. You can’t taste even a hint of weediness.
Vibe: Rebellious and bold. These are bevs that command attention, with their bright colors and retro branding. It’s impossible to hold one of these and not have someone ask what you’re drinking—but that also makes them a social lubricant by mere presence. If you’re down to feel actually high, the 10mg should do the trick for most. But if you’re looking for a happy, light buzz, the 5mg is a great option. I personally have been splitting the Doubles with a friend!
Highlandia Easy Escape: Premium THC drinks in bold, inventive flavors with 5mg THC, 2mg CBD for a relaxing high.
Occasion: A dinner party, date night, or solo creative endeavor.
Flavor: This brand leans fully into flavor, with the goal of transporting you with every sip. The three flavors—Cottondew Clouds (honeydew and cotton candy), Rocket Peak (cherry, lime, and blue raspberry, like a Rocket Pop), and Tangilime Grove (tangerine and lime)—are truly unique, painting a whole landscape worth savoring.
Vibe: This is the Chef’s Choice of weed bevs. It feels premium, culinary, and luxe—all while staying fun and inviting. The branding and palette is enticing and bold, with flavor copy that does the linguistic labor of reminding you to savor every sip. With the addition of CBD, it’s meant to be a calming high—great for a solo creative endeavor or a romantic at-home dinner date. (Warning: Highlandia also makes a Bold Escape line, which is 50mg… personally WAY too much for me to endorse in good faith).
Where to buy: Online! (Hyde’s Hail Mary, Cali Sober, Highlandia)
Check out our most recent episode of The Curious Consumer, featuring a fascinating full-episode interview with Jake Bullock, the Co-Founder and CEO of Cann—the pioneer of the microdosed THC beverage category.
Jake breaks down the whole hemp-derived THC beverage landscape, from how it came to be (and Cann’s role in that) to the regulatory threat it now faces with the impending November ban. Plus, he shares how Cann is responding with a new product launch that just came out this week: Cann 0mg. →
Thanks for reading! Anything you think we should try for an upcoming edition of Express Checkout? Email us at hello@expresscheckout.co
Interesting to watch this category open up. Uncrustables owns the habit, but this is a smart flip - taking a familiar format and making it for grown-up palates. Gallant Tiger’s flavors sound like something a chef would plate. Curious to see the repeat purchase rates, not just the trial buy.