GT Dave

George Thomas Dave
Born	1977
Nationality	American
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, CEO
Years active	1995–present
Known for	Founder and CEO of GT's Living Foods
Spouse	Allan Fanucchi (m. 2019)

George Thomas Dave is an American entrepreneur and the founder and chief executive officer of the kombucha brand GT’s Living Foods. In the late 1990s, he was a pioneer in introducing kombucha to retail outlets, and today his company controls approximately 40% of the U.S. kombucha market share.

Early life and education

Born in 1977 to parents Laraine and Michael Dave as the youngest among three brothers, GT Dave's family began brewing kombucha at home in 1992 after receiving a SCOBY from a family acquaintance. Although initially doubtful, his mother Laraine consumed the beverage during her breast cancer treatment and attributed part of her healing process to it.

Dave obtained his GED ahead of schedule and enrolled in business courses at Santa Monica College while simultaneously brewing kombucha with the intention of launching it commercially.

Career

As a trailblazer in commercial kombucha distribution, Dave made his inaugural retail sale in 1995 to Erewhon Natural Foods. Starting operations from his bedroom, he personally handled sales outreach and marketing activities, growing production from his kitchen to a dedicated facility in Gardena, California by 1997. His mother played a key role in promotion by sharing her health journey at product tastings.

Now operating under the name GT's Living Foods, the business manufactures over one million bottles annually at its 100,000-square-foot campus located in Vernon. Dave remains the sole proprietor of this nearly billion-dollar company, which commands 40% of the national kombucha market. He has consistently declined numerous acquisition proposals.

In 2019, Dave contributed $1 million to Kombucha Brewers International to help develop a “standard of identity” aimed at safeguarding product authenticity.

Legal issues

In 2017, Dave’s company and Whole Foods Market reached an $8.25 million settlement requiring changes to kombucha labeling to eliminate misleading health claims. The lawsuit also raised concerns about packaging safety due to pressure buildup from gas-producing fermentation.

In 2023, the Los Angeles County Superior Court determined that Dave’s Vernon production facility subjected employees to harsh working conditions, including shifts lasting 12 to 14 hours without breaks or overtime compensation. Judge William Highberger questioned Dave’s credibility and mandated payment exceeding $450,000 in unpaid wages and restitution for labor violations affecting approximately 3,600 workers.

In 2024, a third lawsuit alleging employment discrimination was filed against Dave’s Vernon headquarters, accusing retaliation and failure to accommodate an employee who was terminated soon after requesting workplace accommodations. This case remains pending in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Personal life

Dave, who identifies as gay, married Allan Fanucchi in Hawaii in 2019. In 2023, he acquired a $14 million estate in Beverly Hills situated near two other residences he owns.

He reportedly drinks between eight and twelve bottles (about one to one and a half gallons) of his own kombucha daily and personally samples every batch produced.

His older brother Justin passed away from bone cancer in 1996, an event followed by their parents’ divorce. Dave maintains a close relationship with his mother Laraine, whose cancer recovery story features prominently in GT's Living Foods’ marketing efforts. His eldest brother Adam graduated from Louisiana State University’s medical school in 2008.

Sources

Fake Doctors, Real Friends. Episode 402