"The Epic Breakup: The True Cause of the Sriracha Shortage Revealed"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Fortune
The iconic partnership between California farmer Craig Underwood and Huy Fong Foods' David Tran, the maker of sriracha, ended in a bitter dispute over payment, leading to a catastrophic shortage of the beloved hot sauce. Both businesses suffered financial losses and legal battles, with Huy Fong struggling to find a new chili supplier and Underwood facing financial ruin. The fallout led to scarcity of sriracha, allowing competitors like Tabasco to gain market share, marking an ignoble end to a once-thriving business relationship.