Podcast Summary: Bloomberg Businessweek – Lifeway Foods Expands Reach With Walmart Pact

Date: December 11, 2025
Hosts: Carol Massar & Tim Stenovec
Guest: Julie Smolensky, CEO of Lifeway Foods

Overview

This episode of Bloomberg Businessweek spotlights Lifeway Foods, best known for its kefir (a probiotic-rich fermented dairy drink) and now expanding its reach through a major Walmart partnership. Host Tim Stenovec and Carol Massar speak with Julie Smolensky, Lifeway’s dynamic CEO, about the company's record-breaking growth, evolving consumer trends (including the GLP-1 medication boom), product diversification, and recent corporate developments involving French food giant Danone.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Lifeway’s Growth & Product Focus

• Record Performance:
  • Lifeway Foods is experiencing the “highest historic year of success ever,” with surging demand for “functional, nutritious, gut-healthy foods, high protein, and not just protein, but high quality bioavailable protein.” (Julie Smolensky, 03:27)
  • Lifeway’s farmer cheese and kefir are leading the portfolio, with plain kefir remaining the top seller.
• Innovation & Tradition:
  • Farmer cheese (“Dvorog” in Eastern Europe) is highlighted as a versatile, high-protein product with deep roots in Slavic culinary traditions.
    • Quote (Julie Smolensky, 05:17):
      “Farmer cheese has been one of our early... product number two. My father made this in Slavic communities, Russia and Ukraine, Eastern Europe... It’s like a soft unripened cheese, I would say the sexier version of cottage cheese.”
  • Lifeway leverages both health trends and cultural nostalgia to increase relevance and reach.

Impact of GLP-1 Medications (e.g., Ozempic, Wegovy)

• Consumer Shift:
  • Rising use of GLP-1 medications (for diabetes and weight loss) is driving demand for high-quality protein products to “prevent muscle loss.”
  • Quote (Julie Smolensky, 04:23):
    “Roughly 15% of Americans are using a GLP-1 right now. And one out of three are curious and considering it next year... consuming high quality bioavailable protein [is] critical.”
  • The trend intersects with a broader uptick in women pursuing strength training.

Walmart Deal & Distribution Growth

• Major Retail Expansion:
  • Lifeway’s products are now available in 2,000 Walmart stores (nationwide) and all Albertsons locations, driving double-digit year-over-year growth for farmer cheese.
  • Quote (Carol Massar, 06:23):
    “You guys are available in what, 2,000 Walmart stores nationwide. That's pretty huge.”
  • Lifeway boasts 24 consecutive quarters (six years) of growth, with 2025 sales at $157 million (up 123% from six years ago).
  • Quote (Julie Smolensky, 06:43):
    “We have year to date from just for 2025. We're at 157 million. That's compared to six years ago. We're up 123%... Our shareholder return is 860%.”

Danone’s Stake & Strategic Directions

• Danone’s Exit:
  • In September, Danone announced it would not pursue the acquisition of Lifeway and began “reviewing alternatives” for its 22.7% stake.
  • Lifeway has set up a strategic review committee to explore “value enhancing opportunities.”
  • Quote (Julie Smolensky, 08:15):
    “We will be looking for alternatives... We’re really focused on our growth right now... number one brand in Mexico.”
• Corporate Governance Changes:
  • As part of the arrangement with Danone, Julie Smolensky continues as CEO but is no longer Chair—a shift designed to enhance governance.

Leadership & Vision

• Long-Term Commitment:

  • Smolensky, CEO for 23 years and daughter of the company’s founder, expresses profound pride and drive, characterizing Lifeway’s current energy as “startup energy, founder energy every single day.”
    • Quote (Julie Smolensky, 09:22):
      “I am very much committed and dedicated to Lifeway... it is my pride and joy. And we have done a tremendous, remarkable job in our growth and I feel like we’re just getting started.”

• Cultural Virality:

  • Lifeway is increasingly entering the “zeitgeist of culture”—for example, becoming a "wordle" answer, sponsoring NASCAR, and launching a “Kefir drone show” in Chicago.
  • Quote (Julie Smolensky, 10:01):
    "We had our very first NASCAR. We had the first ever Kefir drone show in Chicago, which we're going to be making bigger next year... National Kefir Day. So much more to come."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:27 | Julie Smolensky | “We’re seeing... record demand for functional, nutritious, gut healthy foods, high protein, and not just protein, but high quality bioavailable protein.” | | 05:17 | Julie Smolensky | “[Farmer cheese is] the sexier version of cottage cheese. It’s already blended, it’s spreadable.” | | 04:23 | Julie Smolensky | “Roughly 15% of Americans are using a GLP1 right now. And one out of three are curious and considering it next year...” | | 06:43 | Julie Smolensky | “We have year to date from just for 2025. We’re at 157 million.... Our shareholder return is 860%.” | | 09:22 | Julie Smolensky | “I am very much committed and dedicated to Lifeway... it’s my pride and joy... it really feels like that startup energy, founder energy every single day.” | | 10:01 | Julie Smolensky | "We were a wordle... had the first ever Kefir drone show in Chicago... National Kefir Day. So much more to come." |

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:10] – Show Intro, Lifeway overview
• [03:27] – Lifeway’s record growth & consumer health trends
• [04:23] – GLP-1 drugs driving interest in protein, company’s response
• [05:17] – Spotlight: Farmer cheese, product innovation rooted in family heritage
• [06:23] – Walmart and Albertsons expansion, historic growth rates
• [07:48] – Discussion on Danone’s stake and future direction
• [09:22] – Leadership commitment, cultural impact, and continued momentum

Summary

Lifeway Foods is thriving, riding intersecting waves of health-conscious consumer growth, new dietary trends (like GLP-1 usage), and sophisticated distribution partnerships—including a landmark expansion in Walmart stores. CEO Julie Smolensky credits cultural resonance, innovation, and disciplined growth for propelling Lifeway to new heights, while also deftly navigating corporate complexities stemming from Danone’s strategic withdrawal. Smolensky's passion for both her company and the probiotic dairy movement shines throughout, promising “so much more to come.”

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