A Kentucky company that’s brewing iced tea inspired by “Duck Dynasty’s” Uncle Si on the hit A&E reality TV show has filed for bankruptcy, accusing the show’s stars of breaking their promises to promote the beverage, the Wall Street Journal reported today. The beverage maker’s federal lawsuit against Duck Commander Inc. — the Robertson clan’s duck-call business in Louisiana — portrays the “Duck Dynasty” brand as growing too big, too soon. In the glow of the spotlight, Duck Commander has made dozens of licensing agreements to grow its brand. That includes a deal with Chinook USA LLC to make and distribute a beverage named for Uncle Si, who drinks from a bottomless cup of iced tea on the show. At least one branding expert said the Duck Commander family has too many products and trinkets, telling officials at the beverage maker that it’s “sad to walk through their retail store in Monroe and see all the junk they’ve licensed,” according to the suit. The over-scheduled Duck Commander family allegedly broke its contract to promote Uncle Si’s Iced Tea in media interviews and special appearances, according to the lawsuit. Si Robertson also failed to promote the tea on nationally televised morning shows, the lawsuit said.
