The story of Tricia Wallwork and her family's tea empire is one for the ages. What began as a small restaurant in North Birmingham, Alabama serving burgers, pies, and sweet tea has grown into a $1.7 billion dollar industry, making it America's most popular refrigerated iced tea brand.
Tricia Wallwork took over as CEO of the company at the age of 29 after initially joining as general counsel and vice president. Her move was a bold one, taking her away from a law firm job to lead a beverage industry giant. Under her leadership, the company has experienced explosive growth, with case volume increasing tenfold and revenue reaching $500 million in 2025.
Despite the company's success, Wallwork remains committed to its core values, including zero-waste certification and donating 1% of all profits to local education and environmental charities. Her approach is focused on building a world-class company, not just maximizing profits.
One of the key factors behind Wallwork's success has been her ability to innovate and adapt to changing market trends. The company has expanded its distribution channels, landed new deals with major retailers, and launched new products such as lemonade. Its flagship product, sweet tea, remains a staple in American culture, selling over 2 billion servings last year.
Wallwork's leadership style is also noteworthy, earning her praise from colleagues and industry experts alike. She is described by Walmart's senior vice president of pantry as "smart, innovative, and committed to excellence," while also leading with kindness and humility.
As the company continues to grow, Wallwork remains focused on driving results, investing in new products, and expanding its distribution channels. With a growth rate that shows no signs of slowing down, it's clear that Milo's is here to stay as America's favorite iced tea brand.
The company's success story also serves as a testament to the power of family-owned businesses. Wallwork's grandfather, Milo Carlton, started serving sweet tea at his hamburger shop in Birmingham over seven decades ago. Today, Tricia Wallwork leads a company that produces nearly 62 million cases of tea and lemonade annually, with a presence in 60,000 retail locations across the United States.
As the beverage industry continues to evolve, companies like Milo's must adapt to changing consumer preferences and trends. With its commitment to quality, innovation, and community involvement, it's clear that Wallwork is on the right track to maintaining her company's position as a leader in the industry.
Tricia Wallwork took over as CEO of the company at the age of 29 after initially joining as general counsel and vice president. Her move was a bold one, taking her away from a law firm job to lead a beverage industry giant. Under her leadership, the company has experienced explosive growth, with case volume increasing tenfold and revenue reaching $500 million in 2025.
Despite the company's success, Wallwork remains committed to its core values, including zero-waste certification and donating 1% of all profits to local education and environmental charities. Her approach is focused on building a world-class company, not just maximizing profits.
One of the key factors behind Wallwork's success has been her ability to innovate and adapt to changing market trends. The company has expanded its distribution channels, landed new deals with major retailers, and launched new products such as lemonade. Its flagship product, sweet tea, remains a staple in American culture, selling over 2 billion servings last year.
Wallwork's leadership style is also noteworthy, earning her praise from colleagues and industry experts alike. She is described by Walmart's senior vice president of pantry as "smart, innovative, and committed to excellence," while also leading with kindness and humility.
As the company continues to grow, Wallwork remains focused on driving results, investing in new products, and expanding its distribution channels. With a growth rate that shows no signs of slowing down, it's clear that Milo's is here to stay as America's favorite iced tea brand.
The company's success story also serves as a testament to the power of family-owned businesses. Wallwork's grandfather, Milo Carlton, started serving sweet tea at his hamburger shop in Birmingham over seven decades ago. Today, Tricia Wallwork leads a company that produces nearly 62 million cases of tea and lemonade annually, with a presence in 60,000 retail locations across the United States.
As the beverage industry continues to evolve, companies like Milo's must adapt to changing consumer preferences and trends. With its commitment to quality, innovation, and community involvement, it's clear that Wallwork is on the right track to maintaining her company's position as a leader in the industry.