Elgin Beverage
Family-owned beverage distributor founded in 1927, serving approximately 1,400 retail customers across five Chicagoland counties from an 80,000 sq ft facility with a curated portfolio of domestic, import, and craft beers, RTD cocktails, and non-alcoholic brands.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1927
- HeadquartersBartlett, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Elgin Beverage does
Elgin Beverage is a family-owned beverage distribution company founded in 1927 and headquartered in Bartlett, Illinois. The company distributes a curated portfolio of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to approximately 1,400 retail customers across five counties in the Chicagoland area (Kane, Dupage, Dekalb, Kendall, and Cook). Operating from a state-of-the-art 80,000 sq ft temperature-controlled facility with over 4,000 sq ft of cooler space, the company runs a fleet of 14 fully-automatic trucks and 12 electric-powered forklifts, supported by 10 sales account representatives and 6 market and operations managers, plus drivers and warehouse staff bringing total headcount to 50+.
The product portfolio spans three categories: beer and malt beverages (domestic brands including Pabst Blue Ribbon, Old Style, Schlitz, Stroh's, and Colt 45; Mexican imports including Corona, Modelo Especial, Pacifico, and Victoria; and craft brands from Crystal Lake Brewing, Obscurity Brewing, Penrose Brewing, and Riggs Beer Company), ready-to-drink spirits cocktails (Bar Diver, Coastal Cocktails, Fresca Mixed, Mighty Swell Spirited), and non-alcoholic brands (Arizona Beverages, LaCroix, CG Roxane, Karma Water, Pinches Miches). Elgin Beverage purchases product from suppliers and earns margin on distribution to retailers, with commercial ordering handled through an online retailer portal and Fintech Autopay integration.
The company has no disclosed parent, no institutional or private equity ownership, and no fundraising activity. Its core technology is operational logistics infrastructure rather than software; the modern facility, fleet, and route density across five counties represent the primary operational assets. Revenue is not publicly disclosed, and the 2017 relocation to the current Bartlett facility is the most recent material capital event.
Elgin Beverage firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Elgin Beverage
- Legal name
- Elgin Beverage Company
- Website
- https://www.elginbeverage.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1927
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Family-owned beverage distributor founded in 1927, serving approximately 1,400 retail customers across five Chicagoland counties from an 80,000 sq ft facility with a curated portfolio of domestic, import, and craft beers, RTD cocktails, and non-alcoholic brands.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Elgin Beverage industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Beverage Distribution
- SIC
- Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)
- akta.pro primary industry
- DTC Beverage Delivery (Alcoholic & Non-Alcoholic) (AFAIANAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Alcoholic Beverages & Brands (Canned Cocktails, Hard Seltzer) (CRADAIAD), Functional Beverages (Vitamins, Probiotics, Nootropics, etc.) (CRADAHAL)
Keywords
Where Elgin Beverage is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bartlett
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Elgin Beverage business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Beverage Distribution: Elgin Beverage generates revenue by purchasing alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage products from suppliers and distributing them to retail customers (stores, restaurants, and other retailers) in the Chicagoland area, earning a margin on the products sold.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
Elgin Beverage product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Elgin Beverage is a beverage distribution company that purchases alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage products from suppliers and distributes them to retail customers (stores, restaurants, and other retailers) across five counties in the Chicagoland area. The company distributes a curated portfolio spanning domestic, import, and craft beers, ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages, delivering them via its own fleet of 14 fully-automatic trucks from an 80,000 sq ft temperature-controlled warehouse in Bartlett, Illinois.
Product overview
Elgin Beverage is a family-owned beverage distribution company that distributes a curated portfolio of premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage products throughout the Chicagoland Suburbs. The company offers three main product categories: (1) Beer & Malt Beverages including domestic brands (Pabst Blue Ribbon, Old Milwaukee, Schlitz, Old Style, Stroh's, Special Export, Colt 45), import Mexican beers (Corona Extra, Corona Light, Corona Premier, Corona Sunbrew, Modelo Especial, Modelo Negra, Modelo Oro, Pacifico, Victoria, El Jimador), and craft beers (Crystal Lake Brewing, Obscurity Brewing, Penrose Brewing Co, Riggs Beer Company), plus flavored malt beverages (Mighty Swell Spiked Seltzer, Jack Daniel's Country Cocktails, Modelo Aguas Frescas, Press Hard Seltzer); (2) Spirits in the form of Ready-To-Drink (RTD) Cocktails including Bar Diver Cocktails, Coastal Cocktails, Fresca Mixed, and Mighty Swell Spirited; and (3) Non-Alcoholic Brands including Arizona Beverages, CG Roxane, LaCroix, Pinches Miches, and Karma Water. Elgin Beverage operates from a state-of-the-art 80,000 square foot temperature-controlled facility in Bartlett, Illinois and serves approximately 1,400 retail customers across five counties (Kane, Dupage, Dekalb, Kendall, and Cook County).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Beer & Malt Beverage Distribution
Quantifiable outcome
- Serving 1,400 retail customers across five counties
Companies that use Elgin Beverage
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Elgin Beverage technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Elgin Beverage partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Elgin Beverage competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Reyes Beverage Group: One of the largest beer and beverage distributors in the U.S., distributing Modelo, Corona, and other premium brands nationally. Reyes operates at vastly greater scale than Elgin, including overlapping Illinois/Chicago territory presence, and is a direct comparable on the beer distribution side of Elgin's business.
- Breakthru Beverage Group: Major U.S. beer, wine, and spirits wholesaler with significant Midwest presence including Illinois. Comparable to Elgin as a multi-category beverage distributor operating similar supplier-retailer relationships, though at substantially greater scale and geographic breadth.
- Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits: Largest U.S. distributor of wine, spirits, and select beers with nationwide operations including Illinois. Comparable to Elgin on the wholesale distribution model and supplier-retailer channel structure, though with a much broader and more diversified portfolio.
- Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC): Top-tier U.S. beverage alcohol wholesaler operating across multiple states. Directly comparable to Elgin on the beer/spirits wholesale distribution business model, though at vastly greater scale and with deeper chain-account capabilities.
- Winebow Group: Large beverage wholesaler distributing wine, spirits, and beer across multiple U.S. regions. Comparable to Elgin on the multi-category wholesale distribution model, though focused on a different supplier mix and broader geography.
Direct peers
- Hand Family Companies: Family-owned Midwest beer and beverage distributor with operations overlapping Elgin's Illinois/Indiana footprint. Most structurally comparable to Elgin as a similarly-sized, family-operated regional wholesaler carrying premium and craft beer portfolios to local retailers.
- Horizon Beverage Company: Regional beer and beverage distributor operating in select U.S. markets with a similar portfolio of premium and craft brands to retailers. Most closely matches Elgin's business model as a regional multi-brand beverage wholesaler serving independent and chain retailers.
Regional players
- Standard Beverage Distributing: Mid-sized regional beverage distributor operating in select U.S. states. Comparable business model to Elgin as a regional wholesaler serving retail customers with a curated beverage portfolio, though typically focused on different geographic markets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Elgin Beverage social profiles
Digital presenceElgin Beverage financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Elgin Beverage leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Elgin Beverage funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Elgin Beverage M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Elgin Beverage
What does Elgin Beverage do?
Elgin Beverage is a beverage distribution company that purchases alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage products from suppliers and distributes them to retail customers (stores, restaurants, and other retailers) across five counties in the Chicagoland area. The company distributes a curated portfolio spanning domestic, import, and craft beers, ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages, delivering them via its own fleet of 14 fully-automatic trucks from an 80,000 sq ft temperature-controlled warehouse in Bartlett, Illinois.
Is Elgin Beverage a public or private company?
Elgin Beverage is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Elgin Beverage founded?
Elgin Beverage was founded in 1927. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Elgin Beverage based?
Elgin Beverage is headquartered in Bartlett, United States, in the North America region.
How does Elgin Beverage make money?
One revenue line is on record: beverage Distribution.
Who are Elgin Beverage's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Reyes Beverage Group, Breakthru Beverage Group, Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits, Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) and Winebow Group. Direct peers are Hand Family Companies and Horizon Beverage Company. Standard Beverage Distributing is listed as a regional player.
Does Elgin Beverage have an API?
No public API is recorded for Elgin Beverage.
What industry is Elgin Beverage in?
Elgin Beverage's product category is Beverage Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAIANAK, DTC Beverage Delivery (Alcoholic & Non-Alcoholic), with a secondary code of CRADAIAD, Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Alcoholic Beverages & Brands (Canned Cocktails, Hard Seltzer). Its SIC code is 5180.