Arizona Beverage Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Beverage |
| Founded | 1992 |
| Founder | John Ferolito, Don Vultaggio |
| Headquarters | Woodbury, New York , United States |
| Products | Iced tea, juice cocktails, energy drinks, alcoholic drinks, mixers, snacks |
Arizona Beverages USA (marketed as AriZona) manufactures a wide range of iced tea, juice cocktail, and energy drink varieties from its base in Woodbury, New York. The company's inaugural product was introduced in 1992 as a competitor to Snapple, another beverage brand headquartered in New York.
AriZona is best known for its "Big Can" lineup, offering of iced teas, juice beverages, and other drinks, typically priced at US$0.99 in the United States and C$1.50 in Canada.
Since the 1990s, the commercially available "Arnold Palmer blend"—a mixture of iced tea and lemonade—has been a flagship product for AriZona, which emerged as the top distributor of this drink, achieving sales exceeding $100 million in 2010.
History
The company traces its beginnings back to 1971 when partners John Ferolito and Don Vultaggio founded a beverage distribution enterprise called Ferolito, Vultaggio & Sons in Brooklyn, New York. Initially delivering discounted beer and soda via a Volkswagen bus, they later expanded their fleet with small trucks. Their operations shifted from distribution toward producing malt liquors, maintaining a focus on low-cost offerings.
Motivated by the success of Long Island’s Snapple in 1990, they ventured into producing bottled teas and juices. To stand out in the market, they introduced eye-catching pastel-colored packaging housed in large "Big Can" tin containers. The first AriZona teas hit the market in 1992. Although Vultaggio had never visited Arizona, the brand name was selected to evoke a distinctive identity. The unique can artwork was designed by Vultaggio’s wife Eileen along with graphic designer Jean Pettine, who drew inspiration from everyday objects such as water coolers and perfume bottles.
By mid-1993, four different AriZona tea flavors were offered in 7.7-ounce, 16-ounce, and large can formats across more than 30 states. Key markets included New York, New Jersey, Detroit, and Miami. By 1994, AriZona had expanded nationwide with estimated yearly revenues reaching $300 million—a significant rise from $10–20 million in 1992 and $130 million in 1993. That same year saw the relocation of the company’s headquarters from Brooklyn to Woodbury, New York.
The "Tall Boy" bottle made its debut in 1993. Expansion into soft drinks and root beer occurred in 1995, followed by the introduction of a new beer product in 1996. Despite these efforts, both sales and iced tea market share decreased by 1996. In 1997, AriZona entered major national retail chains but discontinued its carbonated beverage line.
In 2020, AriZona broadened its product portfolio to include fruit snacks featuring mixed fruit flavors as well as Arnold Palmer and green tea variants.
Prices
The suggested retail price printed on AriZona cans has consistently remained at 99 cents despite inflationary pressures and increasing production costs. Retailers retain discretion over pricing and can purchase cans without the fixed 99¢ label for pricing flexibility.
In 2025, founder Don Vultaggio contemplated raising prices on items such as AriZona "tallboys" due to tariffs imposed during the second Trump administration affecting imported fruit and aluminum. He noted that tariffs on Canadian aluminum imports combined with expected price increases from domestic suppliers would significantly raise costs after maintaining stable pricing for over three decades.
Nonetheless, within a week, Vultaggio announced that price increases would not proceed, reaffirming the company’s commitment to "hold the line" against inflation. He underscored his dedication to affordability by stating that as long as he can provide a refreshing beverage at a low cost, he intends to continue doing so.
Products
AriZona’s assortment encompasses both merchandise and beverage mixes, including items such as rollerblades, skateboard wheels, bags, and various accessories.
Drinks
The brand presents an extensive selection of drinks, featuring iced teas, juice blends, energy beverages, diet-friendly options, and cold brew teas. These are offered in multiple container sizes:
- 22 US fl oz large cans known as "Big Cans"
- 20 US fl oz tall cans referred to as "Tallboys"
- 128 US fl oz gallon containers
- 16.9 US fl oz bottled drinks
- Variety packs containing 12 cans
- 16 US fl oz cold brew tea bottles
Alcoholic drinks
Within their alcoholic lineup, AriZona includes:
- "AriZona Hard" canned hard teas, juices, and lemonades in 12 US fl oz portions
- "Arnold Palmer Spiked" iced teas available in both 12 and 24 US fl oz cans
- "Velero" branded beer
Mixers
AriZona’s mixer products are available in three distinct formats:
- Powder mixer canisters sized at 20.4 US fl oz
- Boxes containing 10 individual powder packets
- Liquid bottles measuring 1.62 US fl oz
Snacks
- Fruit snacks offered in four different flavors
- Nachos accompanied by cheese dip
- Salsa paired with chips dip
- Frozen ice pops