Pistachio spread startup raises $2.35 million

IRVINE, CALIF. — A $2.35 million bridge funding round, led by Santatera Capital with participation from Lever VC, is supporting Peppertux’s continued national retail expansion.

Peppertux, which has been bootstrapped since its founding by Malia and Ahat Caskurlu, is a startup offering pistachio butters, Pistachio Creams, Pistachio Drizzle and its Pistachio Squares that launched at Natural Products Expo West this year, said Malia Caskurlu.

“We started Peppertux as we believed pistachios were underrated and underrepresented in American grocery stores,” Caskurlu said. “This investment enables us to continue expanding our retail footprint and introduce more consumers to everything pistachios have to offer.”

The company’s continued retail expansion includes expanding from 222 Target stores to more than 1,140 Target stores, line extensions within Wegmans, launching in H-E-B and Kroger as well as launching into Albertsons this month, Caskurlu said.

Before going to larger retailers, Caskurlu said the company’s go-to-market strategy was focused on independent retailers and regional grocery chains using strong consumer demand and retail performance to expand into larger national accounts.

“As we continue our retail footprint, we’re also expanding into foodservice and introducing new pistachio products that help bring the category into even more everyday occasions,” she said.

While Caskurlu believes most brands see pistachios as an ingredient, the co-founders see them as a platform.

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