The Wirtz family has increased its stake in one of Missouri’s largest wholesalers, Major Brands, by taking over the McCollum family’s shares. Major Brands CEO and owner Sue McCollum will exit ownership of the business, but continue to stay on and run the day-to-day operations as CEO. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The Wirtz family, which is also a part of the Breakthru Beverage Group, initially invested in Major Brands in 2014, a few years after Sue took over running the business when her husband died. During her time as CEO, Sue faced a significant legal battle with Diageo North America over the state’s franchise laws. In the end, Diageo was able to move its brands, but it paid Major Brands a big settlement.
Source: St. Louis Business Journal, February 2020