Hayden Beverage and Columbia Distributing join forces
Columbia Distributing has agreed to buy a stake in Idaho-based Hayden Beverage Company to strengthen its Pacific Northwest presence.
Columbia Distributing has entered into a letter of intent (LOI) to acquire a stake in family-owned distributor Hayden Beverage Company.
The proposed deal would bring together two distributors with ‘aligned supplier relationships, complementary portfolios, and a shared focus on execution, customers, and local markets’.
Previously, Columbia Distributing owned a stake in Idaho’s Scout Beverage distributor, which it sold to Hayden Beverage in summer 2025.
As part of the transaction, Hayden Beverage’s ownership group will also take an indirect ownership interest in Columbia to support continued regional growth.
In addition to buying three wine distributors over the past two years, Hayden completed the purchase of Republic National Distributing Company’s (RNDC) equity interest in their Idaho joint venture on 8 May.
Separately, Columbia Distributing recently agreed to acquire certain RNDC wine and spirits supplier rights in Oregon, Washington and Alaska. RNDC is planning to lay off more than 400 workers in Washington and Oregon as it seeks to close facilities in both markets.
Founded in 1935, Columbia Distributing serves more than 24,000 retail customers across Oregon and Washington and operates 15 facilities.
With the planned expansion into Alaska, Columbia will add approximately 1,125 accounts and extend its reach to more than 835,000 square miles across three states.
These recent deals will help Columbia Distributing and Hayden to ‘build a scaled, leading total beverage platform across the Pacific Northwest’.
Chris Steffanci, president and CEO of Columbia Distributing, said: “This is an exciting step for Columbia, Hayden, and our shared vision for total beverage distribution in the Pacific Northwest.
“Hayden has built an exceptional business in Idaho with strong supplier relationships, a talented team, and a proven commitment to execution. Together, we are strengthening a true regional platform while maintaining the local relationships that drive long-term success.”
The collaboration between the two firms will not result in any changes to their number of employees or day-to-day operations.
Hayden Beverage was founded by John Hayden in 1970 and purchased by his son, Dodds Hayden, in 2006.
Dodds Hayden, who is also chairman, commented: “It feels like we are finally making an informal partnership a formal one.
“Our mission is to be the best executing distributor in the Northwest, and Columbia has always been our benchmark. This partnership combines a ton of expertise, capability, and strong cultures.”
Last summer, Brown-Forman partnered with Columbia Distributing in Washington as part of its first major change to US distribution in more than 60 years.
Hayden looks after distribution for companies such as Brown-Forman and Proximo Spirits in Idaho, alongside ready-to-drink brands like Dirty Shirley, Surfside and The Finnish Long Drink.
In other distribution news, RNDC recently completed the sale of its assets in 11 US states to Reyes Beverage Group.
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