What Kofola CeskoSlovensko does

Kofola CeskoSlovensko a.s. is a family-owned regional beverage and consumer-products group headquartered in Ostrava–Poruba, Czech Republic, controlled by founder Jannis Samaras. The group manufactures and distributes a portfolio of more than 36 brands across non-alcoholic beverages, beer, fresh food, herbal products, and now cosmetics. Its flagship is the 66-year-old Kofola herbal cola, originally developed in 1959 and acquired by Samaras from IVAX in 2002 for 215 million CZK. Other brands include Vinea, Jupí, Royal Crown Cola, Semtex energy drinks, the mineral-water family (Rajec, Ondrášovka, Korunní, Klášterná Kalcia, Radenska, Studenac), the UGO Fresh Bar and Salad Bar chain, LEROS pharmaceutical-grade herbal teas, Pivovary Zubr (Zubr, Holba, Litovel, Hanušovice), and Prager's kombucha and cider. Underlying capabilities include spring-water sourcing and bottling (Rajecká dolina in Slovakia), traditional Moravian brewing, fresh juice and food production, herbal blending, and vertical integration into apple orchards (Pragerovy sady, ~1,000 tons/year). The most recent additions — Nobilis Tilia (100%, 2026) and a 49% stake in Alta Fermentación (2026) covering craft breweries, COLO Coffee and Pedro Mandinga rum in Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador — extend the group into natural cosmetics and Latin America.

The business operates a multi-channel go-to-market model. Revenue is generated through retail distribution via Czech and Slovak chains (Albert, Billa, Globus, Kaufland, Lidl); HORECA via restaurants, cafés, hotels and festivals, where draft Kofola is described as the highest-margin product; an in-house vending business (ASO VENDING in Slovakia with ~8,000 machines serving 152,000 customers daily, plus MIXA VENDING in Czech Republic); directly operated and franchised UGO Fresh Bars and Salad Bars; and export markets including the Adriatic (Radenska Adriatic subsidiary in Slovenia and Croatia) and Latin America via the Alta Fermentación JV. Marketing centers on emotional brand storytelling and large-scale festival activations ("Náměstí Lásky" at Beats for Love, Colours of Ostrava, Grape), supported by the Kofoláska dating app. End of the 30-year PepsiCo bottling and distribution contract in Slovenia and Croatia by December 31, 2026 will redirect Radenska Adriatic capacity toward own-brand development (Prager's Kombucha, Curiosa juices, Boccetta syrups).

The financial profile combines a 1.79 billion CZK EBITDA in 2025 (the second-best in the group's history, though down from initial targets due to Slovakia's January 2025 sugar tax and poor summer weather), with an estimated group revenue in the high-single-digit billions of CZK, supported by segment disclosures of UGO at ~1 billion CZK and LEROS exceeding 500 million CZK in 2025. Q1 2026 revenue grew approximately 13% off the 2025 base. The group is privately held, family-controlled, and has grown primarily through acquisition rather than external funding.

Name

Kofola CeskoSlovensko

Legal name

Kofola ČeskoSlovensko a.s.

Website

https://kofola.cz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Kofola CeskoSlovensko is a family-owned Czech-Slovak beverage and consumer-products group producing and distributing 36+ brands — including Kofola herbal cola, mineral waters, beer, fresh juices, and herbal teas — across Central Europe, the Adriatic, and Latin America via retail, HORECA, vending, and direct outlets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-alcoholic beverages

NAICS

Beverage Manufacturing (3121), Soft Drink Manufacturing (312111)

SIC

Beverages (2080), Bottled & Canned Soft Drinks & Carbonated Waters (2086)

akta.pro primary industry

Kombucha & Other Fermented Non-Alcoholic Beverages (AFAFABAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Packaging & Production Breweries (Limited/No On-site Service) (THAFALAB), Bulk Beverage & Keg Distribution (AFAIAGAK)

Keywords

• Non-alcoholic beverages
• Herbal cola
• Mineral water
• Functional beverages
• Beer brewing

Headquarters

HQ city

Poruba

HQ country

Czechia

HQ region

Europe

Offices14 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Beverage Product Sales (Retail): Core revenue from selling beverages (Kofola, Vinea, Jupí, Royal Crown Cola, mineral waters Rajec/Korunní/Ondrášovka/Kláštorná, energy drink Semtex, juices, ciders, kombucha, functional waters) through retail chains, supermarkets, and convenience stores across Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Adriatic markets.
2. Gastronomy/HORECA: Beverage sales to restaurants, cafes, hotels, and fast-food chains, including the iconic draft Kofola (čepovaná Kofola) which is described as the most profitable product in the portfolio. Includes keg and fountain distribution through gastro partners.
3. Vending Operations: Revenue from operating and servicing ~8,000 vending machines (coffee, food, beverage) across Slovakia via ASO VENDING, plus MIXA VENDING in Czech Republic. ASO VENDING serves 152,000 customers daily.
4. UGO Fresh Bars & Salad Bars: Fresh juice and food outlets operating under UGO brand across Czech Republic and Slovakia. UGO serves millions of customers annually, achieved ~1 billion CZK revenue in 2025. Includes Saladeria format and franchise operations.
5. Beer Sales (Pivovary Zubr): Beer revenue from Pivovary Zubr group (Zubr, Holba, Litovel, Hanušovice, Přerov breweries). Litovel underwent rebranding in 2026 with new portfolio (Úrodná 10, Vyzrálá 11, Bohatá 12, Moravan). 2025 beer revenues declined ~10% vs 2024 due to export weakness.
6. Licensing (Former PepsiCo Adriatic Operations): Revenue from bottling and distributing PepsiCo brands (Coca-Cola, etc.) in Slovenia and Croatia via Radenska Adriatic. This arrangement ends by December 31, 2026, after 30 years of cooperation. Described as 'low-margin business contributing only a few percent of group revenues.'
7. Herbal Products (LEROS & Nobilis Tilia): LEROS produces herbal blends, teas, Sri Lankan teas, and coffee, and is one of the largest herb processors in Czech food industry. LEROS achieved first-time revenue exceeding 500 million CZK in 2025. Nobilis Tilia (acquired 2026) adds botanical aromatherapy cosmetics. Both operate within the 'fragrant/botanical pillar' of the group.
8. Craft Beer, Coffee & Spirits (Latin America): Revenue from 49%-owned Alta Fermentación operating craft breweries (La Rana Dorada, Pola del Pub, Sinners), COLO Coffee (9 cafes, 26k kg/year), and Pedro Mandinga rum distillery in Panama/Colombia/Ecuador. Estimated ~20 million USD revenue, ~4 million USD EBITDA (2025).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion5 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Kofola ČeskoSlovensko is a Central European beverage manufacturer and marketer that produces and sells an extensive portfolio of soft drinks, mineral waters, functional waters, energy drinks, craft and mainstream beer, herbal teas, fresh juices, and aromatherapeutic cosmetics under 36+ brands including Kofola, Vinea, Rajec, Semtex, UGO, LEROS, Pivovary Zubr, Radenska, and Klášterná Kalcia. Products reach consumers through retail chains, HORECA partners, vending machines (~8,000 ASO VENDING units in Slovakia plus MIXA VENDING in Czech Republic), UGO Fresh Bars/Salad Bars, and festival activations. The group also distributes own and licensed beverage brands across the Adriatic region and, since 2026, holds a 49% stake in Latin American craft beverage operations (Panama, Colombia, Ecuador).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kofoláska: Dating application launched for festival attendees to meet and connect over a tap of Kofola
• Kofola Nulka
• Kofola Original
• Vinea
• Rajec
• Rajec 321
• Semtex
• Kláštorná Kalcia
• Korunní
• Ondrášovka
• UGO
• UGO Salaterie
• Láskyplná Kofola
• Radenska
• Studenac
• Curiosa
• Targa
• Dilmah Ice Tea
• Prager's Kombucha
• Pivovary Zubr
• La Rana Dorada
• COLO Coffee
• Pedro Mandinga
• Nobilis Tilia

Products and services

• Kofola Original
• Kofola Nulka
• Kofola MéněVíc Flavored Kofola variants with 30% less sugar than standard cola beverages, no artificial sweeteners. Flavors: višeň (cherry), citrus, meloun (melon), meruňka (apricot), malina (raspberry).
• Vinea Premium wine-based non-alcoholic beverage (grape-flavored soft drink). Positioned as an elegant, feminine non-alcoholic drink.
• Rajec 321 Three-variant functional still/sparkling water targeting three daily phases: Concentration (L-theanine + B3 + B9), Stimulation (L-tyrosine + B6 + D3), and Regeneration (rhodiola extract + B12 + B9). Low sugar (2.8g/100ml), no artificial preservatives, sourced from Rajec spring water, lightly carbonated. Available in 0.5L bottles.
• Rajec Spring Water Natural spring water sourced from the BIO-certified Rajecká dolina (Rajec Valley) in Slovakia. Includes flavored variants (Rajec Heřmánek chamomile, Rajec Bylinka herbal blends) and the iconic Rajec brand used in Kofola product formulations.
• Semtex Energy Drinks Energy drink brand with three product lines: HIGH (high caffeine), LONG (endurance), and FLOW. Launched 2019 with creative support from WMC/Grey agency.
• UGO Fresh Bars & Salad Bars Fresh juice and food outlets under UGO brand including UGO Fresh Bars (juices and smoothies), Salad Bars, and Salateria (fresh salad restaurant concept). Operates direct outlets and franchise locations across Czech Republic and Slovakia. 20 years of operation (first outlet 2006). Achieved ~1 billion CZK gross revenue in 2025.
• Pivovary Zubr Beer Portfolio Beer brewing group operating Zubr, Holba, Litovel, Hanušovice, and Přerov breweries with 150+ years of Moravian brewing heritage. Litovel 2026 rebrand introduced new portfolio names (Úrodná 10, Vyzrálá 11, Bohatá 12, Moravan) while maintaining original recipes. Zubr Grand won the main light lager category at Czech Beer 2025 and the Grand Prize at PIVEX 2026.
• LEROS Herbal Teas and Coffee Herbal blends, teas, Sri Lankan teas, and coffee products under the LEROS brand. LEROS holds pharmaceutical-grade (lékárenská kvalita) certification from SÚKL for herbal teas. Operates the Lerostery coffee roastery in Stráženice. Exceeded 500 million CZK revenue for the first time in 2025, more than doubling 2019 levels.
• Klášterná Kalcia Mineral Water Monastery calcium mineral water brand in the Kofola portfolio, acquired 2019 along with production facility. Includes rPET packaging from the ecomodulation sustainability programme.
• Korunní Mineral Water Mineral water brand marketed with the 'Korunní 365' campaign. Acquired by Kofola group in 2020 alongside Ondrášovka.
• Ondrášovka Mineral Water Mineral water brand from Moravia. Acquired by Kofola group in 2020. Ondrášovka served as general partner of the Czech 'Tree of the Year' (Strom roku) competition in 2024, doubling every donation toward tree care.
• Prager's Kombucha Kombucha fermented beverage brand under the Prager's craft beer umbrella. Part of the Adriatic market expansion plan following the end of PepsiCo distribution.
• Radenska Mineral Water Premium mineral water from Slovenia celebrating 150th anniversary (founded 1876). Leads the Slovenian non-alcoholic beverage market and achieved #2 position in carbonated mineral water in Croatia. Won Red Dot Design Award for Oraketa product redesign. Recent high-efficiency can filling line upgrade.
• Studenac Mineral Water Mineral water brand in Croatia, part of Radenska Adriatic (Kofola subsidiary). Targeted for own-brand growth following end of PepsiCo distribution agreement.
• Curiosa Fruit Juices Fruit juices and drinks brand launched after ending the Rauch partnership. Succeeded in key gastro segment in Adriatic markets.
• Targa Premium Soft Drinks Premium soft drinks and tonics brand including limonade with Maracuja e Mandarino flavor. Campaign 'Jezdi jako Fittipaldi' with outdoor and digital components.
• Café Reserva Premium Coffee Premium coffee brand distributed through Espresso (acquired 2019). Synergistic with ASO VENDING coffee machines.
• Dilmah Ice Tea Iced tea brand launched after ending Rauch partnership. Succeeded in key gastro segment in Adriatic markets.
• Nobilis Tilia Aromatherapeutic Cosmetics Natural aromatherapeutic cosmetics brand founded in 1994 in Czech Switzerland. Acquired 100% by Kofola group in January 2026. Strengthens the botanical/herbal pillar of the group alongside LEROS.
• La Rana Dorada Craft Beer Craft beer brand in Panama operating 11 pubs with 660,000 liters/year production. Part of Alta Fermentación (49% JV with Kofola). Brand present since 2010.
• COLO Coffee Coffee roasting brand and cafe chain in Panama, part of Alta Fermentación 49% JV. Operates 9 cafes and roasts 26,000 kg of coffee per year.
• Pedro Mandinga Rum Panamanian rum distillery brand producing 26,000 bottles per year. Operates 3 rum bars with 50,000 visitors/year. Part of Alta Fermentación 49% JV.

Quantifiable outcome

• Kofola achieved record EBITDA of 1.03 billion CZK in 2020 despite COVID-19 closures of HORECA — the best summer season in company history
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Atychuje (Street Artist)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2026Czech street artist ATYCHUJE created the visual identity for Nulka — Kofola's largest product innovation. His iconic lizard mascot 'Rišo' became the product's hero character, featured on packaging and campaign materials. The artist's motivational and often ironic style resonates with Gen Z, aligning with Nulka's 'nulkání' positioning.
• Martina SáblíkováminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 June 2026Olympic speed skater Martina Sáblíková is the brand ambassador for Rajec 321 functional water. Her performance and recovery philosophy aligns with Rajec 321's three daily-phase positioning (concentration, stimulation, regeneration). She contributed quotes and athlete perspective to Rajec 321 marketing materials.
• Markéta ŠetinováminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 June 2026Relationship therapist and podcast author collaborated with Kofola to develop the relationship quiz for the Kofoláska dating app. Her expertise in couples counseling and dating psychology informed the app's 'festival dating type' quiz, which helps users identify their dating style. She provided expert quotes supporting the app's approach.
• Marlenka (Collaboration)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 June 2026Kofola collaborated with Czech confectionery company Marlenka for 2024 Christmas limited editions: Kofola Marlenka (honey-nut flavor) and Marlenka Medové kofo kuličky (honey-almond confection using Kofo syrup base). 9-month product development in Kofola's lab. Marlenka approached Kofola over a year earlier with the collaboration idea.
• PepsiCo (Adriatic Distribution Partnership — Ending)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 17 June 2026Radenska Adriatic (Kofola subsidiary) is ending its 30-year bottling and distribution agreement with PepsiCo in Slovenia and Croatia by December 31, 2026. The contract contributed only 'a few percent' of group revenues at low margins. Kofola will redirect freed production capacity to own-brand growth (Radenska, Studenac, Prager's Kombucha, Curiosa, Boccetta) and other licensed brands.
• Alta Fermentación (49% JV)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 January 2026Kofola acquired 49% stake in Alta Fermentación (Panama, Colombia, Ecuador), which operates craft breweries (La Rana Dorada, Pola del Pub, Sinners), COLO Coffee (9 cafes), and Pedro Mandinga rum distillery. Revenue ~20 million USD, EBITDA ~4 million USD, 400+ employees. Joint venture expands Kofola's Latin American presence and enables import of Czech/Slovak brands to the region. Founders Berny Silberwasser and Tomas Delfino continue leading operations.
• Nobilis Tilia (100% Acquisition)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 January 2026Kofola acquired 100% of Nobilis Tilia, a pioneer of natural aromatherapeutic cosmetics in the Czech Republic since 1994. Located at Vlčí Hora/Krásná Lípa in Czech Switzerland. Strengthens Kofola's botanical/herbal pillar alongside LEROS. Founders Adéla Zrubecká and botanist Zbyněk Šedivý remain as advisors. Martin Růžička continues as managing director. Part of LEROS group.
• ASO VENDING (Acquisition)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 14 August 2025Kofola completed 100% acquisition of ASO VENDING, Slovakia's largest vending operator (~8,000 machines), after regulatory approval. ASO VENDING serves 152,000 customers daily across Slovakia with coffee, food, and beverage vending. Founded in 1992 by Miroslav and Soňa Korček. 180 employees + 600+ contractors. 2024 revenue ~18 million EUR, EBITDA ~2 million EUR. Rastislav Kráľ (former Kofola retail director) became CEO of the new group entity.
• Beats for Love FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 March 2025Kofola became official partner of Beats for Love (Czech/Slovakia's largest electronic music festival, 162,000 attendees 2024) from 2025. Partnership includes 'Náměstí Lásky' branded zone, festival and real wedding ceremonies, Kofoláska dating app activation, and limited-edition packaging. Festival held at Dolní Vítkovice (Ostrava), Kofola's home city. Unites two brands with 'love' as their core identity.
• MIXA VENDING (Acquisition)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 20 January 2025Kofola acquired Czech vending company MIXA VENDING (smaller than ASO VENDING) to build vending channel in Czech Republic. Combined with ASO VENDING in Slovakia, Kofola now has significant vending operations across both markets.
• WMC/Grey (Creative Agency)minorOthersPrimary creative agency handling Kofola campaigns including Semtex HIGH/LONG/FLOW launch (2019), Kofola MéněVíce campaign (2022), and Targa 'Jezdi jako Fittipaldi' campaign. Creative Director David Suda leads accounts.
• GREP AgencyminorOthersCreative agency handling UGO's 20th anniversary campaign 'Dřív než to bylo cool' with director Vladimír Skórka.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Red Bull: Global energy drink leader competing directly with Kofola's Semtex energy brand. Also relevant as a comparable family-owned Austrian beverage company with similar category expansion strategy into functional beverages.
• Coca-Cola HBC: One of the largest Coca-Cola bottlers globally, operating across Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, and other Central European markets. Directly competes with Kofola Original in the cola segment and in HORECA/retail channels — Kofola's primary global competitor in its home markets.
• Heineken Czech Republic: Czech operations of global brewer Heineken (Starobrno, Krušovice, Velké Březno, Zlatopramen brands). Direct competitor in Czech beer market alongside Pivovary Zubr and broad incumbent in Central European brewing where Kofola competes.

Others

• Grupo Modelo / Constellation Brands: Owns Corona and Modelo beer brands with LATAM presence. Comparable to Kofola's Alta Fermentación LATAM craft beer play (La Rana Dorada, Pola del Pub, Sinners) — both companies pursue craft beer and adjacent beverage categories in Latin American markets.

Direct peers

• Rauch (Rauch Fruchtsäfte): Austrian family-owned fruit juice and beverage company (private label and brands like Bravo, Pfanner). Kofola recently ended Rauch distribution partnership for Curiosa/Dilmah Ice Tea, making them both competitor and former partner in Central European fruit juice/beverage market.
• Mattoni 1873: Major Czech mineral water and beverage group (Mattoni, Aquila, Dobrá voda) owned by KKCG. Direct competitor in Czech/Slovak non-alcoholic beverage market with overlapping portfolio of mineral waters, soft drinks, and distribution — directly comparable to Kofola's Rajec/Korunní/Ondrášovka/Kláštorná mineral water family.
• Plzeňský Prazdroj (Asahi): Czech Republic's largest brewery group (Pilsner Urquell, Gambrinus, Kozel, Radegast) owned by Asahi. Direct competitor to Pivovary Zubr group in Czech beer market and shares HORECA channel dynamics with Kofola's gastro partnerships.
• Staropramen (Molson Coors): Czech beer brand owned by Molson Coors, with breweries in Prague and other locations. Direct competitor in Czech beer market against Pivovary Zubr (Zubr, Holba, Litovel, Hanušovice, Přerov).
• Karlovarské minerální vody (Poděbradka): Czech mineral water group producing Poděbradka, Magnesia, and other mineral/spring waters. Direct competitor to Kofola's Rajec/Korunní/Ondrášovka/Kláštorná portfolio in Czech mineral water category and overlapping soft drink brands.
• Granini / Eckes-Granini: European fruit juice leader operating across multiple European markets including Central Europe. Direct competitor to Kofola's UGO fresh juice and Jupí brands in juice category with comparable multi-country distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC
• Facebookfacebook.com/kofola
• LinkedIncz.linkedin.com/company/kofola
• Xx.com/kofola

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kofola CeskoSlovensko