Kevin Hart Weighs in on His Spirit Brand, Gran Coramino

CNBC Television
CNBC TelevisionApr 17, 2026

Why It Matters

The brand shows that authentic celebrity involvement, combined with solid operational fundamentals, can create a scalable, high‑margin consumer product, reshaping how entertainers monetize personal brands.

Key Takeaways

  • Gran Coramino tequila hits $200M sales, 80% YoY growth.
  • Hart partners with James Morrissey, leveraging Global Brand Equities expertise.
  • Success hinges on product quality, distribution, agile team, capital.
  • Hart stresses authentic brand alignment, not just celebrity endorsement.
  • $50‑100M invested; aims to become long‑term legacy brand.

Summary

Kevin Hart sat down with Global Brand Equities CEO James Morrissey to discuss Gran Coramino, the tequila brand he co‑founded. The label has already surpassed $200 million in revenue, posting an 80 percent year‑over‑year sales jump, positioning it as a fast‑growing player in a crowded spirits market.

The duo highlighted four pillars driving that growth: premium product quality, sophisticated distribution networks, an agile operating team, and deep capital backing. With Proximo and distributor Juan Domingo Beckmann handling U.S. channel complexity, the brand can scale while retaining independent decision‑making. Between $50 million and $100 million has been poured into the venture to cement its long‑term legacy.

Hart emphasized that his involvement goes beyond a name‑on‑the‑bottle, insisting on authentic alignment with the product he genuinely enjoys. “I only do things I can truly embrace,” he said, underscoring a shift from vanity endorsements to genuine partnership. Morrissey echoed this, noting that celebrity equity must be paired with rigorous quality and strategic execution.

For the broader industry, Gran Coramino illustrates how a high‑profile celebrity can successfully transition into a substantive brand owner when backed by seasoned partners, disciplined distribution, and sizable investment. The model may inspire other entertainers to pursue deeper, profit‑driven stakes in consumer goods rather than mere licensing deals.

Original Description

Actor and comedian Kevin Hart and Global Brand Equities’ James Morrissey join 'Power Lunch' to discuss Hart's spirit business, the mix of marketing and distribution and much more.

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