Portland Syrups (Portland Soda Works LLC) Joins the Inc. 5000 List of Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America

Posted on
by

From a $5,000 bootstrapped startup to a multi-million-dollar beverage leader, Portland Syrups is celebrating four consecutive years of 70%+ annual growth and record profitability.
Portland Syrups joins the Inc. 5000, surpassing $10M in annual revenue with 70%+ growth for four consecutive years — all from a $5,000 bootstrapped start.

PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Syrups, the craft beverage brand operated by Portland Soda Works LLC, today announced it has been named to the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. The recognition caps a decade-plus journey from a $5,000 home-kitchen startup to a national beverage brand that has surpassed $10 million in annual revenue while remaining entirely self-funded and profitable since inception.

Growth & Financial Highlights at a Glance

  • Inc. 5000 Honoree: Recognized as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States.
  • Revenue Milestone: Officially surpassed the $10,000,000 annual revenue mark.
  • Consistent Hyper-Growth: Sustained an annual growth rate exceeding 70% for four consecutive years.
  • Elite Regional Ranking: Named one of the Top 20 fastest-growing companies in Oregon.
  • Industry Leader: Ranked in the Top 3 fastest-growing companies in the food and beverage sector in Oregon.
  • 100% Bootstrapped: Built entirely off an initial $5,000 investment, with zero subsequent outside funding or venture capital.
  • Uninterrupted Profitability: Profitable every single year since inception, with continuously expanding profit margins.

The Portland Syrups Story: Scaling Authentically from $5K to $10M+

Portland Soda Works began in the early 2010s with a simple mission: to create premium, whole-ingredient syrup concentrates for sodas, mocktails, and cocktails. The company was founded by two Portland neighbors — Dan McLaughlin and Chris Onstad — who started experimenting with recipes in their home kitchens before selling their first products to local restaurants and bars.

Armed with just a $5,000 initial investment and a passion for clean-label beverage mixers, the pair set out to redefine the craft beverage landscape. Early production ran on borrowed brewing kettles, and the founders hand-bottled, labeled, and shrink-wrapped every order themselves. The company’s break into wider retail came when New Seasons Market began carrying its products, introducing Portland Syrups to a broader Pacific Northwest audience.

Today, that foundational investment has yielded a national beverage brand generating over $10,000,000 in annual revenue. By focusing on quality ingredients, sustainable production, and strong consumer relationships, Portland Syrups has achieved a rare feat in the modern business landscape: hyper-growth without sacrificing profitability or independence.

“Making the Inc. 5000 list is a testament to our team’s dedication and our customers’ loyalty. To scale past $10 million in revenue while remaining entirely self-funded and profitable since day one proves that sustainable, independent business models can thrive in the food and beverage industry.” — Dan McLaughlin, Co-Founder, Portland Soda Works LLC

Why Portland Syrups Continues to Lead the Craft Beverage Industry

Portland Syrups’ trajectory is driven by key market trends and disciplined operational execution.

1. Rising Demand for Clean-Label and Low-Sugar Mixers

Modern consumers are seeking healthier, lower-sugar alternatives to traditional sodas and commercial cocktail mixers. Portland Syrups delivers on this demand by using whole botanicals, real fruit, and organic cane sugar, completely avoiding artificial preservatives and corn syrup. The brand’s syrups are formulated with roughly 40% sugar, compared to the 67% sugar content typical of conventional bar syrups — a meaningful difference for health-conscious buyers.

2. The Boom in Mocktails and Premium Home Bartending

With the rapid rise of the “sober curious” movement and premium at-home mixology, Portland Syrups provides a foundation for both alcoholic cocktails and sophisticated non-alcoholic beverages. The brand’s concentrates are designed to deliver stronger flavor per serving, making them equally suited to sparkling water, teas, kombuchas, desserts, and marinades.

3. Scalable, Capital-Efficient Operations

By optimizing supply chains and maximizing production efficiency, Portland Soda Works LLC has increased its profit margins even while scaling rapidly over the past four years — all without outside capital.

About Portland Syrups (Portland Soda Works LLC)

Portland Syrups is a manufacturer of small-batch, lower-sugar beverage syrups based in Portland, Oregon. The company produces a diverse line of flavor concentrates crafted from whole ingredients — fresh herbs, real fruit, and spices — with natural sweeteners and no preservatives. Signature products include the brand’s classic Grenadine, made with real pomegranate juice rather than corn syrup. Distributed nationwide, Portland Syrups is a trusted choice for specialty grocers, restaurants, bars, and home mixologists alike.

Corporate Fast Facts

  • Legal Name: Portland Soda Works LLC
  • Brand Name: Portland Syrups
  • Headquarters: Portland, Oregon, USA
  • Industry: Food and Beverage, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Craft Beverage Mixers
  • Founders: Dan McLaughlin and Chris Onstad

Media Contact

Dan McLaughlin Co-Founder, Portland Soda Works LLC Dan@portlandsoda.com portlandsoda.com (503) 853-5395

Media Contact
Company Name: Portland Syrups
Contact Person: Press
Email: Send Email
Phone: (503) 479-8132
Address:2025 SE 11th Ave
City: Portland
State: OR
Country: United States
Website: https://beveragemixers.com/collections/cocktails-mocktail-syrups