# R&D RADIO: How Startup CPG's Product Developer Database Helped This Founder Reformulate

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2026-09-14
- Length: 25m
- Episode: 369
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-09-14-r-d-radio-how-startup-cpgs-product-developer-database-helped-this-founder-reform
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/b8baec7c

## Summary

Drake Nickell, founder of Dimitri's Greek Kitchen, explains how he used Startup CPG's Product Developer Database to find a partner for reformulating his pita chips after achieving distribution in over 300 stores. He details the process of vetting eight developers, emphasizing the importance of a clear scope of work and using widely available brands like Stacy's and Lay's as 'gold standards' to communicate specific texture and flavor attributes. Nickell highlights that quick follow-up and pricing transparency were key indicators of a good fit, leading to a successful partnership for new flavors like feta fry.

## Outline

1. Introduction: Drake Nickell and Dimitri's Greek Kitchen
2. From Whipped Feta to Pita Chips: Brand Origins
3. Using the Product Developer Database to Find Help
4. Vetting Developers: Scope of Work and Communication
5. Communicating Sensory Details: Mouthfeel and Flavor
6. Future Plans: New Flavors and Whipped Feta Relaunch

## Topics

- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Dimitri's Greek Kitchen (company)
- Startup CPG (company)
- Stacy's (product)
- Lay's (product)
- Jewel-Osco (company)
- McDonald's (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Advice Line with Stacy Madison of Stacy’s Pita Chips](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-10-16-advice-line-with-stacy-madison-of-stacys-pita-chips) (How I Built This)
- [Stacy's Pita Chips: Stacy Madison (2019)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-08-09-stacys-pita-chips-stacy-madison-2019) (How I Built This)
- [Advice Line with Tony Xu of Doordash](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-10-02-advice-line-with-tony-xu-of-doordash) (How I Built This)
- [Perfect Snacks: Bill and Leigh Keith](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-06-09-perfect-snacks-bill-and-leigh-keith) (How I Built This)
- [360 - Beyond the Die Line - The pitch was awful. They liked the bar! Tom Seymour and Ree Dolnick](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-10-08-360-beyond-the-die-line-the-pitch-was-awful-they-liked-the-bar-tom-seymour-and-r) (People of Packaging)

## Citing this page

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