West Sacramento Bottling Plant Reopens Under New Ownership

After an abrupt closure that left hundreds without jobs, the former Manna Beverages plant in West Sacramento is set to roar back to life. A new ownership group has successfully acquired the facility, promising a full-scale restart of operations and the potential restoration of much-needed local jobs.

The Abrupt Closure of Manna Beverages

Just a month and a half ago, the West Sacramento community was stunned when Manna Beverages abruptly ceased operations statewide, impacting 627 employees across its facilities, with nearly 400 in West Sacramento alone. Many learned of their termination via text message on October 2, 2025, just a day before official signs appeared on the plant doors confirming the closure on Stone Boulevard and Massie Court.

For employees like Sarah Fitzgerald, a single mother who had worked in payroll for seven years, the news was devastating. “I was thinking about my baby, you know, how am I going to provide for her for the holidays?” she shared, reflecting the widespread shock and concern among the local workforce.

Internal Struggles and Alleged Lack of Transparency

Fitzgerald revealed that internal financial struggles at Manna Beverages were apparent for some time, with instances of last-minute payroll processing and neglected equipment maintenance. Even more concerning, employees were allegedly misled just a week before the layoffs. They were asked to prepare final checks under the pretense that the system was down, only to be told everything was fine before the final, unexpected termination notice.

“They were planning on doing it a week prior,” Fitzgerald stated, expressing the deep sense of betrayal felt by long-term employees who believed they were denied proper notice. This alleged lack of transparency is now a central point in a federal class-action lawsuit, claiming Manna violated the WARN Act by not providing 60 days’ advance notice.

A New Beginning: Redwood Beverage Group Steps In

In a rapid turnaround, two prominent investment groups, Tricor Pacific Capital and 13th Floor Capital, have joined forces to create Redwood Beverage Group LLC. This new entity has successfully acquired all of Manna’s West Sacramento assets, signaling a hopeful future for the sprawling manufacturing plant that once bottled popular brands like Monster Energy, Alani Nu, BODYARMOR, and Minute Maid juices.

Lenny Davis of Harry Davis & Company, who brokered the sale, described the acquisition as “nothing short of a lot of stars aligning in a very short amount of time.” Redwood Beverage Group intends a “full-scale restart” of the plant, bringing renewed economic activity to the area.

Employee Reactions: Hopeful, Yet Cautious

A key promise from Redwood Beverage Group is the re-hiring of former Manna employees. Josh Young, a principal for 13th Floor Capital, expressed enthusiasm for the local talent: “We look forward to welcoming back as many of the former employees as possible… Our goal is to return to full-scale operations quickly and restore jobs as we ramp operations up.”

While this news offers a glimmer of hope, former employees like Sarah Fitzgerald remain “cautiously optimistic.” Concerns linger regarding potential changes to benefits, pay structures, position status, and the inherent fear of another sudden business failure. The memory of the previous abrupt layoff casts a long shadow over this new venture.

Legal Ramifications and the WARN Act

Despite the positive development of new ownership, Manna Beverages faces ongoing legal challenges. The federal class-action lawsuit alleges violations of the WARN Act, a federal and state law designed to protect employees from sudden mass layoffs by requiring 60 days’ advance notice. Manna Beverages filed its own WARN notice on October 3, 2025, claiming an exemption. They argued that providing earlier notice would have jeopardized their efforts to secure additional capital or a going-concern sale, believing potential acquirers would be deterred if the workforce sought other employment.

Importantly for employees, leaders from Redwood Beverage Group have explicitly confirmed they have “no relationship with the Manna ownership group,” and no former Manna owners, officers, or directors will be involved in the new company. Meanwhile, Harry Davis & Co. continues to seek a buyer for Manna’s Anaheim facility, with an auction scheduled for December 3 if a purchase does not materialize.

Comparison: Old vs. New at the Bottling Plant

Frequently Asked Questions

• What happened to the West Sacramento bottling plant?
  The plant, formerly owned by Manna Beverages, abruptly closed on October 7, 2025, laying off nearly 400 local employees and 627 statewide.
• Who is the new owner of the West Sacramento plant?
  The plant has been purchased by Redwood Beverage Group LLC, a new entity formed by two investment groups: Tricor Pacific Capital and 13th Floor Capital.
• Will former Manna employees get their jobs back?
  Yes, Redwood Beverage Group has stated their intention to re-hire as many former employees as possible and aims for a full-scale return to operations.
• Are the new owners connected to the previous Manna Beverages leadership?
  No, Redwood Beverage Group has confirmed that there is no relationship with the former Manna ownership group, and no previous owners or officers will be involved in the new company.
• What is the WARN Act?
  The WARN Act (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act) is a federal and California state law requiring employers to provide 60 days’ advance written notice of mass layoffs or plant closures to protect employees. Manna Beverages is currently facing a class-action lawsuit for alleged violations.

The reopening of the West Sacramento plant under new management brings a much-needed boost of optimism to the local economy and a second chance for many residents who faced unexpected job loss.

West Sacramento Bottling Plant Reopens Jobs Return