Lifeway Foods® Launches Kefir-Packed Power Play Shake for Barry's 'Find Your Strength' Challenge

Rhea-AI Summary

Lifeway Foods (Nasdaq: LWAY) partnered with Barry's to launch the kefir-packed Power Play shake for Barry's "Find Your Strength" challenge running Jan 26–Feb 25, 2026. The shake combines Organic Plain Whole Milk Kefir, blue spirulina, chia, almond milk, vanilla whey, granola, and blueberries.

Power Play will be sold at Barry's Fuel Bar locations nationwide during the challenge, with a kefir smoothie bowl bar planned at Barry's Hamptons studios this summer.

Key Figures

Challenge start date: January 26, 2026 Challenge end date: February 25, 2026 Lower class track: 12 classes in 30 days +1 more

4 metrics

Challenge start date January 26, 2026 Start of Barry's Find Your Strength challenge

Challenge end date February 25, 2026 End of Barry's Find Your Strength challenge

Lower class track 12 classes in 30 days Participant track option in Barry's challenge

Higher class track 20 classes in 30 days Participant track option in Barry's challenge

Market Reality Check

Price: $22.27 Vol: Volume 58,025 is roughly ...

normal vol

$22.27 Last Close

Volume Volume 58,025 is roughly in line with the 20-day average of 58,590 (relative volume 0.99). normal

Technical Price at $22.03 is trading below the 200-day MA of $25.23 and 35.58% below the 52-week high.

Peers on Argus

Peers show mixed moves, with WEST up 4.32%, SENEA up 2.71%, OTLY and USNA modest...

Peers show mixed moves, with WEST up 4.32%, SENEA up 2.71%, OTLY and USNA modestly positive, and MAMA slightly negative, indicating this news is more company-specific than sector-driven.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 13 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jan 13	Product launch	Positive	-1.0%	Introduced Probiotic Kefir Butter targeting the premium $6B butter category.
Jan 08	Outlook & conference	Positive	+0.4%	Guided 2025 net sales to $211.0–$212.5M and announced ICR Conference plans.
Jan 07	Regulatory tailwind	Positive	+2.8%	Federal Dietary Guidelines highlighted kefir and full-fat dairy as nutrient-dense.
Dec 19	Proxy dispute response	Negative	-1.2%	Response to ISS recommendation amid contested board situation and governance debate.
Dec 18	Proxy advisory support	Positive	-1.2%	ISS backed company nominees over dissident slate ahead of 2025 annual meeting.

Pattern Detected

News-driven moves have been mixed, with three aligned and two divergent reactions, including occasional selloffs on positive announcements.

Recent Company History

Over the past few months, Lifeway has focused on product innovation, growth, and governance. A new Probiotic Kefir Butter launch on Jan 13, 2026 and positive 2025 net sales expectations of over $211M both highlighted expansion efforts. Favorable federal dietary guidelines for kefir on Jan 7, 2026 provided a regulatory tailwind. At the same time, contested proxy activity and ISS recommendations in Dec 2025 underscored governance tensions. Today’s Barry’s partnership continues the theme of brand and product extensions into fitness and wellness channels.

Regulatory & Risk Context

Active S-3 Shelf

Shelf Active

Active S-3 Shelf Registration 2025-10-29

An effective resale shelf filed on Oct 29, 2025 covers up to 3,454,756 shares of common stock for sales by Danone North America PBC and its affiliates. Lifeway receives no proceeds from these sales and bears certain registration costs. The filing had 0 recorded usage events in the provided data.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights Lifeway’s push deeper into fitness and wellness by featuring a kefir-ba...

Analysis

This announcement highlights Lifeway’s push deeper into fitness and wellness by featuring a kefir-based Power Play shake in Barry’s nationwide Fuel Bars during a global challenge running from Jan 26 to Feb 25, 2026. It follows other product launches and favorable kefir-related dietary guidance in recent months. With an existing resale shelf covering 3,454,756 shares for Danone affiliates and past governance debates, investors may watch how such partnerships translate into measurable sales and brand reach.

Key Terms

kefir, probiotic, blue spirulina, whey protein

4 terms

kefir medical

"the leading U.S. supplier of kefir and fermented probiotic products, is partnering"

Kefir is a tangy, cultured beverage made by fermenting milk or plant-based liquids with a mix of bacteria and yeasts, producing a drink similar to yogurt or kombucha but usually thinner and fizzy. For investors, kefir matters because it represents a fast-growing consumer segment tied to health trends, product labeling and regulatory rules, shelf-life and supply-chain costs, and potential premium pricing or marketing risks if health claims are challenged.

probiotic medical

"supplier of kefir and fermented probiotic products, is partnering with Barry's"

Live microorganisms, most often bacteria or yeast, that are added to foods or supplements to support digestion and overall gut health — think of them as friendly tenants brought into a crowded apartment building to restore balance. Investors watch probiotics because consumer demand, scientific evidence, labeling rules and safety data directly affect product sales, regulatory risk and a company’s valuation, so study results or policy changes can move stock prices.

blue spirulina medical

"Whole Milk Kefir, blue spirulina, chia seeds, almond milk, vanilla whey protein"

A natural blue powder made from spirulina algae that contains the pigment phycocyanin; it’s used as a food and supplement colorant and sometimes marketed for its antioxidant properties. Investors care because it sits at the intersection of food trends, supplements and cosmetics—think of it as a natural alternative to synthetic dyes—so demand, regulatory approvals, supply stability and labeling claims can affect sales, margins and brand risk.

whey protein medical

"almond milk, vanilla whey protein, granola, and blueberries, providing a protein-"

Whey protein is the concentrated protein extracted from the liquid left over when milk is turned into cheese, sold as a powdered ingredient for shakes, bars and fortified foods. Investors care because it is a high-margin, fast-growing ingredient in sports nutrition and health products; demand, raw milk prices, production capacity and food-safety rules can all affect a maker’s sales and profit outlook — think of it as a durable ingredient that drives recurring consumer purchases.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

MORTON GROVE, Ill., Jan. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Lifeway Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: LWAY) ("Lifeway" or "the Company"), the leading U.S. supplier of kefir and fermented probiotic products, is partnering with Barry's, the global leader in boutique fitness, for its Find Your Strength challenge, fueling participants with the newly launched, kefir-packed Power Play shake available at Barry's Fuel Bar locations nationwide.

The Lifeway Power Play shake blends Organic Plain Whole Milk Kefir, blue spirulina, chia seeds, almond milk, vanilla whey protein, granola, and blueberries, providing a protein- and probiotic-packed boost to energize workouts and support recovery.

The Find Your Strength challenge runs from January 26 through February 25, 2026, with participants choosing their track: 12 classes in 30 days or 20 classes in 30 days. This global challenge spans Barry's Red Rooms worldwide, and all class modalities count toward the goal. Participants who complete the challenge will be recognized for their accomplishments, with rewards and incentives provided by Barry's.

"Our probiotic-rich kefir provides protein and essential, bioavailable nutrients to support gut health, recovery, and overall wellness," said Julie Smolyansky, CEO of Lifeway Foods. "It's a natural fit for Barry's Find Your Strength challenge, and we're excited to help participants fuel their workouts and recover with a shake that's both nourishing and delicious."

The Lifeway Power Play shake will be available at Barry's Fuel Bar locations nationwide throughout the challenge, providing a convenient and delicious way to boost performance and recovery after each class. Lifeway will also be setting up a kefir smoothie bowl bar at Barry's Hamptons studios this summer, allowing guests to fuel up with probiotic-rich creations after their workouts.

For more information about Lifeway or its products, visit lifewayfoods.com. For more information on Barry's and the Find Your Strength challenge, visit strength.barrys.com.

About Lifeway Foods, Inc.
Lifeway Foods, Inc., which has been recognized as one of America's Growth Leaders by TIME, as Dairy Foods' Processor of the Year 2025, one of Forbes' Best Small Companies, and named to Inc.'s 2025 Best in Business list in the Best Challenger Brands category, is America's leading supplier of the probiotic, fermented beverage known as kefir. In addition to its line of drinkable kefir, the Company also produces a variety of cheeses and a ProBugs® line for kids. Lifeway's tart and tangy fermented dairy products are now sold across the United States, Mexico, Ireland, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, and France. Learn how Lifeway is good for more than just you at lifewayfoods.com.

About Barry's
Barry's is the original high-energy cardio and strength interval training workout. Launched in 1998 in Los Angeles, it was the original pioneer in the global boutique fitness movement. Since then, it has grown from "The Best Workout in the World," to become not just a fitness leader, but a community and lifestyle brand with innovative in-studio and digital class modalities, Fuel Bars, retail offerings, and a competitive loyalty program. With 97 studios spanning 18 countries, plus its digital offering, Barry's X, Barry's now brings its global Fit Fam community with its signature Red Room workout experience both virtually and physically. Following the success of the original workout, Barry's expanded its class offerings to include: LIFT (a 50-minute class focusing on strength training) and RIDE (a 50-minute class offering high-intensity interval training style indoor cycling paired with lifting.) Now a worldwide phenomenon with a cult-like following, Barry's makes working hard and getting strong, fun. For more information, visit: https://www.barrys.com/. 

Media:
Derek Miller 
Vice President of Communications, Lifeway Foods
Email: derekm@lifeway.net 

Perceptual Advisors
Dan Tarman
Email: dtarman@perceptualadvisors.com

General inquiries:
Lifeway Foods, Inc.
Phone: 847-967-1010
Email: info@lifeway.net

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lifeway-foods-launches-kefir-packed-power-play-shake-for-barrys-find-your-strength-challenge-302675416.html

SOURCE Lifeway Foods, Inc.

FAQ

What is Lifeway Foods' (LWAY) Power Play shake and where is it available?

The Power Play shake is a kefir-based smoothie blending protein and probiotics for workout recovery. According to the company, it combines Organic Plain Whole Milk Kefir, blue spirulina, chia, almond milk, vanilla whey, granola, and blueberries and is sold at Barry's Fuel Bar locations nationwide.

When does Barry's Find Your Strength challenge run and what are the participation tracks for LWAY customers?

The challenge runs Jan 26 through Feb 25, 2026, with two participation options. According to the company, participants choose either 12 classes in 30 days or 20 classes in 30 days, and all class modalities count toward completion.

How does Lifeway (LWAY) position kefir in relation to fitness and recovery at Barry's events?

Lifeway positions kefir as a protein- and probiotic-rich option to support gut health and post-workout recovery. According to the company, the formulation provides bioavailable nutrients intended to energize workouts and aid recovery for Barry's participants.

Will Lifeway (LWAY) offer any additional in-person activations at Barry's beyond the Power Play shake?

Yes. According to the company, Lifeway will set up a kefir smoothie bowl bar at Barry's Hamptons studios this summer, allowing guests to access probiotic-rich smoothie bowls after workouts in addition to the Fuel Bar shake.

How can investors or customers learn more about Lifeway Foods (LWAY) products and the Barry's collaboration?

For more details, visit Lifeway Foods' website and Barry's challenge page. According to the company, product information is at lifewayfoods.com and challenge details are at strength.barrys.com for schedules, locations, and rewards.