Flagstaff's own Mother Road Brewing Co. is tapping into the community spirit, opening the doors to potential investors through an equity crowdfunding campaign on StartEngine to fuel its expansion and development of new products. The craft beer producer, regarded as the third largest brewery in Arizona, initially set its sights on raising funds ranging from a modest $15,000 to an ambitious $2 million. As reported by ABC15, the investment drive has been extended until November 4, gathering over $666,500 from 574 investors thus far and achieving a company valuation of $40.04 million.
Breaking away from traditional investment routes, Mother Road's choice of using StartEngine aligns with its community-focused approach, allowing people from all walks to own a stake in the company, Mother Road founder and president Michael Marquess conveyed his appreciation for the inclusive platform, in a statement obtained by the Phoenix Business Journal, "Start Engine gave us a really nice method to allow everyday folk that wanted to be part of the story with us to come in and be involved."
Adapting to shifting consumer tastes, Mother Road plans to diversify its horizons beyond its acclaimed craft beer, with Marquess hinting at a rebrand to 'Mother Road Beverage Company'. This reflects an industry-wide trend where consumers are reaching for a variety of alcoholic options, in an interview, Marquess shared with the Phoenix Business Journal, “Long term, you're probably going to see it not be 'Mother Road Brewing Company' but rather 'Mother Road Beverage Company,' as we respond to the changing tastes of our guests and consumers.” The brewery's R&D team is currently exploring a range of drinks that could hit production lines soon.
Since its establishment in 2011, Mother Road has extended its reach from a local taproom to a production brewery with a distribution network that spans Arizona, New Mexico, and Southern Nevada, backed by partnerships with major distributors like Hensley Beverage Co., Premiere Distributing and Nevada Beverage its products are available across more than 5,300 distribution points including notable venues and retailers such as sports arenas and chains like Barro’s Pizza, Pita Jungle, and major grocery stores. In 2023, Mother Road witnessed a 19% sales increase, soaring to nearly $10 million despite ending the year with a $1.2 million loss, showcasing both the operational challenges and potential growth prospects within the brewery sector.
