CORE Taproom
& Grill

Chris Claffey is a seasoned Food & Beverage and CPG executive with more than 20 years of experience driving sales, brand development, distribution, and operational growth. After earning a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts, Chris began his career in financial services, where he led high-performing sales teams and achieved a top-five ranking among more than 1,000 teams at a leading U.S. bank. In 2014, he founded an alcohol brand with limited startup capital and built it from a single-state operation into a nationally distributed business spanning more than 45 states, with international expansion and more than $25 million in lifetime revenue. His retail experience ranges from regional convenience stores to major national accounts, including Costco, while his expertise spans beer, wine, spirits, and broader CPG categories.

Chris specializes in taking products from concept to shelf, overseeing everything from product ideation, formulation, sourcing, packaging, manufacturing, licensing, and regulatory approvals to distribution, sales, marketing, and retail execution. He has managed multi-state and international distribution networks, developed relationships with wholesalers, retailers, brokers, and key accounts, and led teams across sales, marketing, logistics, operations, procurement, and manufacturing. His experience also includes private-label development, brand collaborations, licensing and trademark strategy, packaging and POS development, and navigating complex federal and state alcohol regulations. With a strong focus on measurable growth and ROI, Chris combines hands-on entrepreneurial experience with extensive industry relationships and a proven ability to build brands, develop teams, and create sustainable sales across national and international markets.