Constellation, Coca-Cola Vet Francis Named CEO At MGP
July 21, 2025MGP Ingredients has appointed Julie Francis as president and CEO, effective today. Brandon Gall, who had been serving as chief executive on an interim basis, will continue with the company as chief financial officer.
A three-decade food and beverage veteran, Francis was previously senior vice president of commercial and category development for Constellation Brands’ total beverage alcohol platform. Prior to that she held multiple leadership positions at The Coca-Cola Company and Coca-Cola Enterprises. Most recently she has been COO at frozen food producer Schwan’s.
“Julie is a proven leader with decades of experience driving growth and value creation across the food and beverage space,” said MGP chairman Martin Roper. “We are confident in her ability to advance our long-term vision of becoming a premier, branded spirits company, while building on the actions that Brandon and the MGP team have taken to better align our businesses with current consumer trends.”
MGP Ingredients saw sales in its branded spirits division decline 5% to $241 million last year, as increases in its premium portfolio including labels like Penelope, Yellowstone, Remus, Blood Oath, and others was offset by its move away from lower price tiers. In the first quarter of this year, the company’s consolidated sales decreased 29% to $122 million, as branded spirits sales sales dipped 4% to $48 million, despite a 7% increase for the premium-plus portfolio.-Daniel Marsteller
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