The Lucky Ox Launches at Whole Foods Market Across the Northeast Less Than One Year After Launching

New York, NY

The Lucky Ox, a New York-based Asian American craft soda brand, has launched across Whole Foods Market stores throughout the Northeast, reaching the retailer less than one year after the company's debut in 2025.

Founded by Kyle Nguyen and Fane He, The Lucky Ox began as a scrappy, founder-led operation. In its earliest days, He and Nguyen sold door-to-door, delivered cases by subway, and personally stocked shelves across New York City before securing distribution. At one point, the founders even drove to a Whole Foods Market grand opening in Doylestown, PA, hoping to meet a buyer. The buyer was not there that day, but the team connected a few weeks later, and the buyer became a believer from day one.

"We started with nothing but product we believed in," said Nguyen, co-founder of The Lucky Ox. "A lot of people see the wins, but they don't see the grind behind them. That is what our slogan, 'It Wasn't Just Luck,' really means. It's a tribute to our immigrant parents and the work ethic they passed down to us."

In spring 2025, The Lucky Ox partnered with Rainforest Distribution, where the brand quickly gained momentum and became one of the top new brand launches in the distributor's portfolio. The success helped accelerate retail expansion and ultimately led to authorization across Whole Foods Market's Northeast region.

The Whole Foods launch features The Lucky Ox's core lineup, including its Pandan Coconut Sparkler, bringing a beloved Southeast Asian ingredient to Whole Foods shelves through a modern, refreshing format. The rollout also includes a Whole Foods exclusive flavor, Thai Mango Toasted Rice, inspired by Thailand's iconic mango sticky rice dessert.

"Our mission has always been to bring heritage Asian flavors into everyday life in a modern, approachable way," said He, co-founder of The Lucky Ox. "Launching at Whole Foods with an exclusive flavor inspired by my favorite dessert is a milestone we are incredibly proud of."

The Lucky Ox craft sodas are now available at Whole Foods Market stores across the Northeast, with additional regional expansion planned for 2026.

About The Lucky Ox
Founded in New York in 2025, The Lucky Ox creates flavor-forward craft sodas inspired by Asian heritage, made for modern drinking occasions.

Founder grit, heritage, and flavor-forward execution proving that success is built, not handed out.