Nestle USA to sell Jamba Juice: WSJ

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Nestle USA is planning to sell smoothie maker Jamba Inc's (JMBA.O) drinks at grocery stores in eight states in the western United States, the Wall Street Journal said in its online edition.

The deal is Jamba's first venture beyond its own retail stores where its drinks had been sold exclusively.

"We've always felt the Jamba Juice brand was highly extendable," Chief Executive Paul Clayton told the Journal.

"It was just a matter of us finding the right partner."

Two types of Jamba's fruit drinks will be sold in supermarkets in California, Utah, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Arizona and Colorado starting in the second-quarter next year, the Journal said.

Rob Case, president of Nestle USA's beverage division, told the Journal the deal will be expanded to other states and into new channels, like convenience stores.

Nestle USA, a unit of Nestle (NESN.VX), will manufacture and distribute the drinks, the Journal said, adding it may eventually sell Jamba Juice drinks in other countries.

Representatives of both companies could not immediately be reached for comment.

(Reporting by Justin Grant)