Brand Central Adds Flavor to Portfolio with Mizkan’s RAGÚ and Bertolli
Los Angeles, CA – July 14th, 2026 Brand Central, a top 10 leading global licensing agency announced today that Mizkan America Inc., the US operating company of the Mizkan Group, has named Brand Central exclusive licensing agency for its brands including Ragu and Bertolli.
Under the partnership, Brand Central will develop strategic lifestyle, food, and beverage licensing programs designed to extend the cultural relevance of each of Mizkan’s brands while driving incremental revenue and reinforcing core equities beyond each brand’s primary category. The agency will be representing the portfolio for both brand extensions and licensing acqusitions. Mizkan has innovated new taste experiences for more than 200 years, meeting consumer demand for authenticity and real ingredients.
Among Mizkan’s brands are these four that each brings its own unique personality to the table:
Ragu: America’s iconic pasta sauce brand that has been a family dinner staple for generations
Bertolli: A premium Italian brand renowned for authentic olive oil and Mediterranean sauces since 1867
Mizkan: A 200-year-old Japanese heritage brand specializing in rice vinegar and authentic Asian seasonings
Zing Zang: The leading brand of non-alcoholic cocktail mixes in the U.S., best known for its bold, spicy, and savory Bloody Mary Mix (inbound only).
“We’re excited to be a center of excellence for Mizkan in accelerating their licensing efforts for both outbound and inbound licensing” said Ross Misher, CEO of Brand Central. “This partnership brings together beloved brands with deep cultural roots and incredible licensing potential. We look forward to extending their reach into new categories and delivering innovative products that resonate with today’s consumers”
“When we decided to make licensing a strategic priority, there was one clear imperative: find a partner with decades of experience and relationships across product categories to accelerate the growth of our iconic brands,” said Rob Johnson, Mizkan’s VP of Enterprise Growth & New Platforms. “We knew there was no better partner to meet that challenge than Brand Central and we’re excited for great things to come from our work together.”
For licensees ready to bring authentic flavor into their portfolio, please contact Lexi Chapman at lexi@brandcentral.com. For brand owners interested in working with Mizkan, please contact Molly Jacobson at molly@brandcentral.com
About Brand Central LLC
Brand Central LLC is an award-winning, top 10 globally ranked brand consultancy and licensing agency headquartered in Los Angeles, with eight offices across the United States. We deliver comprehensive, end-to-end solutions spanning brand extensions, manufacturer representation, and creative services. Brand Central proudly represents many of the world’s most iconic and recognizable brands, including Mars Wrigley, Kraft Heinz, The J.M. Smucker Co., Pernod Ricard, and more. Our team of industry-leading experts brings deep experience in licensing, retail, manufacturing, and brand strategy, uniquely positioning us to drive innovation, unlock brand potential, and generate substantial revenue for our clients.
About Mizkan Based in Schaumburg, IL, Mizkan America, Inc., is the US operating company of the Mizkan Group, a global, family-owned company that has been Bringing Flavor To Life™ for more than 220 years, always guided by the company's Two Principles (Offer customers only the finest products; and Continuously challenge the status quo). As one of the leading makers of condiments and sauces in the United States, Mizkan America maintains 12 manufacturing facilities that serve the retail, foodservice, specialty Asian and food-ingredient trade channels. Since their U.S. debut in 1977, Mizkan America has experienced dramatic growth and their portfolio now includes a wide variety of vinegars, Italian and Asian sauces, cooking wines, wine reductions and sushi seasoning. Mizkan America brands include: RAGÚ®, Bertolli®, Holland House®, Nakano®, Mizkan® Zing Zang® and Born Simple®. Mizkan America is also the exclusive distributor/sales agent for Angostura® bitters in North America. For more information, go to: www.mizkan.com and www.mizkanholdings.com/en/.
Explore clients, capabilities, and success stories at www.brandcentral.com and follow us at LinkedIn @brandcentral.