Key Takeaways
- • A US-based private equity group has agreed to acquire Licksy's proprietary alcohol-infused lollipop formula, including TTB-approved formulation, registered trademarks, and associated intellectual property rights from founder Zack Teperman.
- • Financial terms were not disclosed; the transaction remains pending final legal review and closing.
- • Rather than pursue Licksy as a direct-to-consumer brand, the PE group plans to license the formula to established alcohol and spirits brands for co-branded confectionery products, launching partnerships beginning in 2027.
- • The original Licksy formula supports three planned varieties: Watermelon Vodka, Apple Vodka, and Lemon Drop lollipops, developed after more than one year of R&D to maintain alcohol stability in hard-candy format.
Summary
A private equity investment group has reached an agreement to acquire the proprietary alcohol-infused lollipop formula and intellectual property developed by Licksy LLC, the adult confectionery concept founded by entrepreneur Zack Teperman. The transaction encompasses the TTB-approved formula, registered trademarks, and all associated rights, though the acquirer and specific financial terms have not been disclosed. The deal remains subject to final legal review before closing.
Licksy LLC was established earlier in 2026 following more than a year of intensive research, development, and testing to solve the technical challenge of infusing real alcohol into a hard-candy lollipop while maintaining alcohol stability in the finished product. The original concept centered on three flavored vodka varieties: Watermelon Vodka, Apple Vodka, and Lemon Drop, positioned as premium adult confectionery products.
The acquisition signals a strategic pivot from Licksy's original consumer-direct model toward a B2B licensing approach. Under the PE group's ownership, the formula will be introduced to established alcohol and spirits brand partners beginning in 2027, providing those brands with the opportunity to develop co-branded, alcohol-infused confectionery lines using the proprietary formulation. Teperman, the founder, expressed support for the transition, noting that the formula's evolution toward established brand partnerships represents an exciting development from the original Licksy concept. Additional details regarding the acquiring firm and specific brand partnerships are expected following completion of legal review and transaction closing.
Licksy LLC was established earlier in 2026 following more than a year of intensive research, development, and testing to solve the technical challenge of infusing real alcohol into a hard-candy lollipop while maintaining alcohol stability in the finished product. The original concept centered on three flavored vodka varieties: Watermelon Vodka, Apple Vodka, and Lemon Drop, positioned as premium adult confectionery products.
The acquisition signals a strategic pivot from Licksy's original consumer-direct model toward a B2B licensing approach. Under the PE group's ownership, the formula will be introduced to established alcohol and spirits brand partners beginning in 2027, providing those brands with the opportunity to develop co-branded, alcohol-infused confectionery lines using the proprietary formulation. Teperman, the founder, expressed support for the transition, noting that the formula's evolution toward established brand partnerships represents an exciting development from the original Licksy concept. Additional details regarding the acquiring firm and specific brand partnerships are expected following completion of legal review and transaction closing.
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