Clean Simple Eats (CSE) has secured shelf space in 100 Costco warehouse locations across the Southwest region for its Frosted Lemonade Clear Protein Soda, with the product also available on costco.com. The rollout, which began May 13, places the item in Costco's dedicated Protein Department — a section that has become a proving ground for functional beverage brands eyeing mass-market adoption.

For operators and buyers tracking functional beverage trends, the placement is notable. Club-channel distribution signals that a product has achieved sufficient volume appeal and price-value alignment to satisfy Costco's demanding buyer standards. CSE has positioned the launch around what it describes as a clean-ingredient profile and a flavor profile — Frosted Lemonade — that bridges the gap between indulgence and performance nutrition.

Clear protein sodas occupy a fast-growing niche within the broader better-for-you beverage segment, appealing to consumers who want functional protein intake without the heaviness of traditional shakes or bars. Placing that format inside a club store dramatically increases trial potential, given Costco's high foot traffic and its shoppers' tendency to purchase in bulk when a product resonates.

The Salt Lake City–based brand has built its reputation in the direct-to-consumer health and wellness space before expanding into retail. A Costco partnership represents a meaningful step up in distribution scale, and the Southwest launch suggests the company is testing regional velocity before pursuing a potential national rollout. Industry observers at Food & Beverage Magazine have noted that club-channel wins often accelerate subsequent grocery and foodservice conversations for emerging functional brands.

For restaurant and hospitality operators looking to diversify their grab-and-go or retail-facing beverage sets, the growing consumer appetite for clean-label protein drinks — now validated at the club level — is a signal worth watching as menu and retail strategy planning cycles ramp up for the back half of 2026.

Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.