GRIL Ventures is a private investment firm focusing on backing high growth and high impact technology companies. It is on a mission to align disruptive technologies and game-changing entrepreneurs to advance dignity. It has a portfolio of 45 investments across energy, transportation, health and mental wellness, education, food and agriculture, consumer, internet, and big data for enterprise.

GRIL Ventures

GroundForce Capital is an investment management organization that invests in high-potential firms that aim to promote human and environmental health and longevity.

GroundForce Capital

Alumni Ventures Group provides high-quality, diversified venture portfolios to individual investors who previously haven't had access to VC. It helps accredited alums from top entrepreneurial schools invest together in the ventures of fellow alums. The firm backs companies with an alumni connection and an institutional lead investor with expertise in the space. AVG also offers focused funds that allow any accredited investor access to a venture portfolio, diversified by type, sector, stage, and geography. Beth Obermiller, Michael Madden, and Mike Collins co-founded the firm in Manchester, New Hampshire in 2013.

Alumni Ventures

Rich Products Ventures is a venture capital arm of Rich Products Corporation.

Rich Products Ventures

Siddhi Capital is the venture partner for convention-crushing food and beverage companies. It blends deep operating knowledge and expertise through its strategic partnership with Siddhi Ops, and smart capital to propel brands forward in the food and beverage marketplace.

Siddhi Capital

Studio Management is a data-driven asset manager investing across public equities and venture capital.

Studio Management

Thistle

Thistle is a healthy food and juice company that delivers fully-prepared, plant-forward meals to the doorsteps of its customers. It makes eating nutritious, organic, and local foods incredibly convenient and accessible. They believe that by removing the major existing hurdles to consumers (no time to make a meal; too expensive to eat healthy; bad local options), they can empower our customers to make great choices for themselves, their family, and the environment. It was founded in 2013 and is based in San Francisco, California.

Thistle is a prepared meal delivery startup that offers customized meal plans starting from USD 11.50 and averaging USD 14 per meal. The startup initially began as an on-demand, cold-pressed juice delivery service in 2013, later pivoting to add healthy prepared meals and shifting its business model to batch delivery.

From fast food to fine dining, everything but the kitchen sink is suddenly just a tap away.

Online Food Delivery

Thistle is a meal delivery service founded in 2013 and headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area. The company focuses on providing plant-forward, nutrient-dense meals that are gluten-free, dairy-free, and free from refined sugars, artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and additives. Thistle's meals are designed by nutritionists and chefs to offer a balance of protein, fiber, and healthy fats. The company delivers fully prepared, ready-to-eat or heat-and-eat meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as snacks, sides, and cold-pressed juices.

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Convenience Foods

Aruma now hunting gold at Rose and Thistle

Thistle is a prepared meal delivery startup that offers customized meal plans starting from USD 11.50 and averaging USD 14 per meal. The startup initially began as an on-demand, cold-pressed juice delivery service in 2013, later pivoting to add healthy prepared meals and shifting its business model to batch delivery.Breakfast, lunch and dinner menus are available in meat or plant-based diets, accompanied by snacks, sides and juices. Meals provided by the startup are gluten-free and dairy-free. Thistle looks to keep its costs down by delivering only thrice weekly, by batching deliveries during morning hours which are less congested and by optimizing routes to its subscribers. The company also utilizes mailing to send boxes beyond the geographic confines in which it currently operates. Meals are delivered to the San Francisco Bay Area, North Bay, Sacramento, Davis, Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County and Las Vegas and are delivered by its delivery partner, onTrac.

DoorDash operates an online food delivery platform, connecting restaurants with customers, across the US, Australia, Canada and Japan. As of February 2022, the company was the market leader in the US among OFD players, with an estimated 58% market share according to Bloomberg Second Measure. Its US operations span over 4,000 cities, with more than 400,000 restaurant partners servicing over 18 million customers, as of April 2021. DoorDash is one of the first startups (along with Postmates) to offer a delivery facility through an aggregator platform, which competitor GrubHub only started in 2015. The company has also expanded into grocery and convenience store delivery over the last 2-3 years, with a hybrid business model consisting of a mix of supermarket partnerships and its own network of dark stores. As of June 2022, the company operated in 27 countries including the US, Canada, Japan, Germany, Australia, Israel, and New Zealand as well as countries in the Nordics, Baltics, Eastern and Central Europe, and the Caucasus.Prior to the pandemic, DoorDash charged restaurants a commission of up to 30% of order value, and a service or delivery fee from customers, depending on the type of service (takeout or delivery). However, during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, third-party delivery platforms were criticized for their heavy commission fees, with several cities across the US imposing a temporary 15% delivery commission cap to support restaurants, given their higher dependency on third party food delivery providers. In response, DoorDash introduced a new three tiered commission structure for US restaurants (with less than 75 locations) in April 2021, ranging between 15%-30% delivery commission (+6% pickup commission), with limits on 1) delivery area; 2) app visibility; and 3) access to high-value DashPass customers, for the lower commission range. Under the new commission structure, consumers bear a higher share of delivery costs. Consumers who subscribe (USD 9.99 per month) to DashPass, however, are eligible for zero delivery fees on orders over USD 12.00. The company classifies DashPass subscribers as “high-value”, likely due to their frequency of ordering food delivery. In April 2022, the company launched <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/9779">“DashPass for Students,” </a>a discounted subscription plan for college students. The new program builds on its existing DashPass (launched in 2018), allowing DoorDash to make its services more accessible to students across the US.&nbsp;DoorDash also operates other business models such as 1) DoorDash Self-Delivery: a platform that allows restaurants and food businesses to have a listing on the DoorDash platform, while using their own delivery people and setting their own delivery zone and fees (lower commission vs. restaurants that use DoorDash’s drivers); and 2) DoorDash Drive (Drive): a white-label product, which allows participating restaurants to offer delivery through their own apps or websites (instead of the DoorDash app) with delivery being carried out by DoorDash drivers. In March 2022, the company conducted a beta launch of its new feature “Return a Package,” allowing customers to return packages to the closest post office, UPS, or FedEx location. In <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/19802">June 2023 </a>, DoorDash launched a new Earn by Time feature that enables drivers to choose between getting compensated for each delivery or being paid an hourly flat rate. DoorDash also launched a safety feature that allows drivers to share their location with up to five contacts. In <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/20692">July 2023 </a>, DoorDash tested Dash AI, an AI-powered chatbot, in select markets. DoorDash expects the technology to expedite the ordering process and enable customers to receive personalized restaurant recommendations by using simple text prompts. In&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/34376">September 2024</a>, the company launched DoorDash Commerce Platform, a suite of products designed to help merchants manage and grow their businesses through their own channels. The platform offers phone ordering with an AI-powered call-in systems and allows merchants to create their own branded mobile apps. It also launched&nbsp; “Ads Manager for Enterprise Restaurants,” a self-serve advertising platform that helps businesses manage marketing campaigns in&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/35652">October 2024</a>.&nbsp;In contrast to competitor UberEats - which has expanded aggressively through a series of acquisitions - DoorDash has predominantly grown organically, with the support of a few strategic acquisitions. DoorDash’s most recent acquisition was in March 2022, when it entered into a definitive agreement to <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/8851">acquire Bbot, </a>a contactless ordering and payment solution provider. The purchase allowed the company to expand its in-store operations product suite for merchants, including in-store digital ordering and payments. Previously, the company acquired Chowbotics, the developer of a stationary salad-making robot, “Sally,” in February 2021. In July 2022, DoorDash announced plans to shut down Chowbotics. &nbsp;In August 2019, the company bought rival online food delivery platform Caviar for USD 410 million. The acquisition strengthened Doordash’s market share in Pennsylvania and Oregon, where Caviar had more than 10% market share.In June 2022, DoorDash completed its acquisition of Wolt, a Finland-based online food delivery platform. The acquisition expanded DoorDash’s global presence from four countries to 27. The deal was closed at a value close to USD 3.5 billion, although it was initially valued at USD 8.1 billion when announced in November 2021. This is a result of DoorDash's share price falling by more than 55% since November. DoorDash issued over 46 million shares to Wolt shareholders in the transaction. Wolt CEO Miki Kuusi was to head the company's operations outside the US, including Wolt’s 23 markets as well as Australia, Canada, and Japan. In less than two weeks following the acquisition, Wolt launched its new subscription service <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/11037">Wolt+ </a>in Prague and scaled its operations in Israel by launching operations in Israel’s northern region.&nbsp;Key customers and partnershipsDoorDash has restaurant partnerships with Chipotle, Denny’s, Wingstop and Little Caesars. In February 2022, DoorDash launched <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/8416">DoorDash Capital </a>in partnership with Parafin, a financial services technology company, to provide revenue-based financing to eligible restaurants and DoorDash merchants. It would support investments in growth including purchasing equipment, hiring, marketing costs, rent, and payroll. That same month, DoorDash Storefront (launched in 2020) integrated with Google to offer commission-free online orders to restaurant partners in the US. In March 2021 Doordash partnered with Missouri-based family-owned supermarket retailer Schnuck Markets to deliver prepared meals from five store locations in St. Louis, Missouri, to addresses within a six-mile radius of the stores. In July 2022 the two companies expanded the partnership to include 25 locations across Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana. In January 2023 expanded its delivery <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2022/09/13/starbucks-and-doordash-to-launch-delivery-partnership-in-atlanta-expand-nationwide-in-2023/">partnership </a>with Starbucks to include the delivery of&nbsp; Starbucks products across all 50 US states by March 2023. In <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/19802">June 2023 </a>, the company partnered with Amazon Canada to offer a free one-year membership of the company's subscription service, DashPass, to Amazon Prime members. The company also has a partnerships with AMC Theatres to deliver dine-in menu items from select US theaters (<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/34378">September 2024</a>).DoorDash generated a revenue of USD 8,635 million and incurred an operating loss of USD 579 million during the year ended December 2023.

DoorDash

Gousto is a subscription-based recipe kit startup based in the UK, with operations in the UK and <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/31074">Northern Ireland</a>. Customers have the option to select from two-person or family box options, with a choice between two and four recipes that may price a serving between USD 3.80 to USD 7.90. Gousto has a range of recipes catering to different customer preferences such as vegetarian, plant-based, gluten-free, dairy-free, DIY pizza bases, lean in 15, healthy choice, 10-minute meals as well as oven-ready options.Gousto <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/8713">raised USD 230 million </a>in February 2022. The round followed an infusion of <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/7648">USD 150 million </a>in January 2022. Both rounds were led by Softbank’s Vision Fund 2. The company intended to use the funds to double its tech team by the end of 2022.The company reported revenue growth of 67% YoY to GBP 315 million (~USD 393.8 million) in <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/10005">FY2021. </a>Gousto reported that it had sold 90 million+ meals in 2021 compared to 53 million meals the previous year. EBITDA was up 10% YoY to GBP 20 million (~USD 25 million) in FY2021, while net cash from operations reported growth of 136% YoY to GBP 37 million (~USD 46.3 million).

Gousto

Mindful Chef, founded in the UK, provides health-focused meal kits with pre-portioned fresh ingredients, free-range chicken, 100% grass-fed beef and UK-landed fresh fish. A weekly box contains between two to five recipes and customers are able to choose from 16 recipes which are changed weekly, with vegan options as well as gluten-free and dairy-free options. The company caters to flexitarians, vegetarians and pescatarians, too. Additionally, the company donates a meal to a child in poverty for each meal purchased. Customers are able to skip, pause, cancel or schedule one-off deliveries at any time. The company also offers frozen meals and smoothies. As of September 2020, the company states that more than 5 million meals have been sold to more than 100,000 customers. In <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/31072">June 2024</a>, Mindful Chef launched its services in Northern Ireland.Key customers and partnershipsIn December 2021, the company partnered with the British supermarket brand <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/kevinrozario/2021/12/28/waitrose-pioneers-recipe-box-service-with-mindful-chef/?sh=214ea7df40d5">Waitrose </a>to offer a co-branded recipe box that featured a Waitrose Cooks’ Ingredient product. In April 2022, the company expanded its partnership with Waitrose by launching a quartet of chilled ready meals available via Waitrose stores. In August 2022, the company partnered with Diabetes UK to launch a new meal range for customers with type 2 diabetes. The menus came with extensive nutritional labeling and include gluten-free, dairy-free, and plant-based options. In September 2023, Mindful Chef partnered with the fast food brand LEON to launch four healthy fast food recipes. In&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/35654">October 2024</a>, the company partnered with Zoe, a company offering programs focusing on gut heath to launch a gut-friendly recipe range.

Mindful Chef

HelloFresh delivers weekly meal kits, containing pre-portioned fresh ingredients and step-by-step recipes, to its subscribers in 18 countries (as of October 2022) across Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand, with a global base of 8.0 million active customers as of Q2 2022. Its meal kits are priced between USD 7.49–10.99 per meal, in-line with competitors Blue Apron and Marley Spoon, with consumers subscribing to a weekly (rather than monthly) service, which enables more flexibility to skip weeks. HelloFresh launched its own delivery fleets in the <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/24686">US </a>and the <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18306">UK </a>in 2023.HelloFresh has grown its US presence and product offerings through a combination of acquisitions and organic growth, aligned to its multi-tier brand strategy. The company acquired premium brand Green Chef in March 2018, and subsequently, extended its menu offerings to include organic meals for US customers, including special diets such as ketogenic and paleo. In <a href="https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/online/hellofresh-launches-specialist-diet-meal-kit-brand-green-chef-in-uk/655593.article">April 2021 </a>, following its success in the US market, Green Chef was expanded to the UK. In August 2022, Green Chef was also launched in the Netherlands. The company’s acquisition of Factor (a ready-to-eat meal company) in December 2020 was aimed at expanding into the convenience-focused customer segment. In terms of organic growth, the company launched its value brand, EveryPlate, in 2018 for budget-conscious consumers, featuring meal kits that average around USD 4.99 per serving.Overseas, HelloFresh acquired a ~10% stake in Russia’s largest meal-kit provider Chefmarket, in September 2021, through a cash capital increase. HelloFresh has also announced plans to acquire Australia-based ready-meals firm Youfoodz (announced in July 2021), which would expand its customer base in Australia as well as its presence in the ready-to-heat category.&nbsp;Key customers and partnershipsIn&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/34379">September 2024</a>, HelloFresh partnered with the online food delivery platform Just Eat Takeaway (JET) to launch a twelve-week delivery trial of HelloFresh meals in&nbsp;Newcastle and London's Hackney. Under the&nbsp;partnership JET’s customers can order from eight HelloFresh recipes using&nbsp;JET’s online ordering platform.

HelloFresh

Territory Foods offers more than 35 different meals that are updated weekly and are either cooked prior to delivery or delivered as meal kits containing produce. Customers can choose to select delivery of weekly meal plans, individually customize a plan, or market boxes with fresh products to cook at home. Meals are free of refined sugars, gluten, and dairy, however, the company is not certified dairy-free, gluten-free or other allergen-free.In April 2021, the company raised USD 22 million in a venture round led by US Venture Partners and celebrity athletes Abby Wambach and Vernon Davis. The company intends to divert the fresh funds for its expansion into new cities. The investment round brings the total funds raised to date to USD 44 million.

Territory Foods

Platforms that offer ready-to-cook meal kits to individuals who are interested in cooking, but have limited time or skills. Meal kits usually include recipes with step-by-step instructions along with pre-portioned ingredients. Food delivery is often carried out by independent contract workers who are either registered with the platform or employed directly by the platform.

Platforms that prepare and deliver meals based on rotating menus that allow the customer to choose a meal plan of up to multiple dishes for a week with a low level of consumer involvement in cooking and plating. Food delivery is often carried out by independent contract workers who are either registered with the platform or employed directly by the platform.

On-demand delivery platforms that offer a wide range of items (such as various cuisines, groceries, etc)

On-demand delivery platforms that offer specific types of food or cuisine

Infrastructure providers that offer delivery or dispatch management systems

Infrastructure providers that offer white label online ordering websites and apps for restaurants to build their own in-house solutions

Infrastructure providers that offer solutions to help restaurants integrate and centralize online ordering and delivery systems from multiple third party vendors

Solutions in the "in-house ordering solutions" segment allow restaurants to build custom websites, menus, etc.

Most solutions available in "in-house ordering solutions" provide B2B SaaS solutions

Some OFD players such as Uber and Grubhub provide autonomous food delivery services

Thistle is a meal delivery service founded in 2013 and headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area. The company focuses on providing plant-forward, nutrient-dense meals that are gluten-free, dairy-free, and free from refined sugars, artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and additives. Thistle's meals are designed by nutritionists and chefs to offer a balance of protein, fiber, and healthy fats. The company delivers fully prepared, ready-to-eat or heat-and-eat meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as snacks, sides, and cold-pressed juices.
Thistle's menu rotates weekly and features globally-inspired dishes with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients. While primarily plant-based, Thistle offers the option to add sustainably sourced meat proteins to lunch and dinner meals for an additional cost. The company aims to make nutritious eating convenient and accessible, with meals starting at around USD 11.50 per serving, depending on the plan selected. Thistle currently delivers to select areas on the West Coast, including California, Oregon, and Washington, as well as parts of the Northeast, from Connecticut to Washington D.C.
Key customers and partnerships
Thistle partners with local farmers and producers to source ingredients sustainably. The company has focused on expanding its customer base, growing by 50% between 2019 and 2021. Thistle has also formed partnerships to support its growth, securing USD 5.7 million in Series A funding in 2020 and USD 10.3 million in Series B funding in 2021, both led by PowerPlant Ventures. The company works with local hunger organizations, donating hundreds of meals each week. Thistle has also implemented initiatives to reduce its environmental impact, including purchasing carbon offsets for customer deliveries and using recyclable packaging materials.

Wholly Veggie is a Canadian plant-based food company founded in 2017 by John Bonnell and David Gaucher, two former executives from the organic meat industry. The company specializes in producing vegetable-forward frozen foods, including appetizers, snacks, and entrees. Wholly Veggie's product line features items such as cauliflower wings, mozzarella-style sticks, sweet potato popcorn, and various plant-based meals. The brand aims to make vegetables fun, delicious, and accessible while promoting healthier and more sustainable eating habits.
Wholly Veggie's products are made with simple, whole food ingredients and are free from additives, preservatives, gluten, and soy. The company uses vegetables as the main ingredients in its products, focusing on cauliflower, sweet potatoes, and other nutrient-rich vegetables. In 2021, Wholly Veggie partnered with Outcast Foods to incorporate upcycled cauliflower powder sourced from imperfect produce into their product line, demonstrating a commitment to reducing food waste.
The brand has experienced significant growth since its inception. As of 2023, Wholly Veggie products were available in over 6,000 retail outlets across North America, including major chains such as Target, Whole Foods Market, Sprouts Farmers Market, Walmart, and Loblaws. In 2021, the company saw a surge in popularity following the launch of its cauliflower wings and expansion into 1,200 Target locations in the US.
Key customers and partnerships
Wholly Veggie has successfully expanded its presence in major retail chains across North America. As of 2023, the company's products were available in over 6,000 stores, including Target, Whole Foods Market, Sprouts Farmers Market, Walmart, and Loblaws. In October 2022, Wholly Veggie announced the distribution of its award-winning Mozzarella Style Cheese Sticks at 705 Target locations, further expanding its reach in the US market.
In 2021, Wholly Veggie partnered with Outcast Foods, a sustainable food tech innovator, to launch mozzarella and jalapeno cheddar sticks featuring a patented upcycled cauliflower crust. This collaboration demonstrates the company's commitment to sustainability and reducing food waste in its production processes.

Wholly Veggie

Gardein is a plant-based food company that specializes in creating meat alternatives. Founded in 2003 by Canadian chef Yves Potvin, Gardein offers a diverse range of products designed to mimic the taste and texture of various meats. The company's product line includes plant-based versions of chicken, beef, pork, fish, and more. Gardein's products are made from a blend of non-GMO soy, wheat, pea proteins, and other plant-based ingredients. The brand aims to provide sustainable and compassionate food choices without sacrificing taste.
Gardein's product offerings are extensive, ranging from crispy tenders and mandarin orange crispy chick'n to fishless filets and plant-based jerky. The company also produces breakfast sausages, meatballs, and even canned soups and chilis. Many of Gardein's products are frozen for convenience, but they also offer refrigerated and shelf-stable options. In 2019, Gardein expanded its line with 11 new frozen meals, including spicy and maple patties and breakfast bowls.
The company has positioned itself as a leader in the plant-based protein market, with its products available in major retailers across North America. In 2018, Conagra Brands acquired Gardein as part of its USD 10.9 billion purchase of Pinnacle Foods. Following this acquisition, Conagra saw potential for significant growth in the plant-based sector, with CEO Sean Connolly estimating a USD 30 billion opportunity for Gardein in the US alone.
Gardein has continued to innovate, launching new products to compete in the evolving plant-based market. In January 2020, the company introduced its Ultimate Plant-Based Burger, made from pea protein, to compete with other popular plant-based burgers. Gardein has also developed products in the plant-based hot dog and sausage categories.

Gardein

Strong Roots is a plant-based frozen food company founded in 2015 by Samuel Dennigan in Ireland. The company offers a range of vegetable-forward products including cauliflower hash browns, mixed root vegetable fries, veggie burgers, and bites. Strong Roots has positioned itself as a challenger brand aiming to "fix the freezer aisle" by providing convenient, healthy, and sustainable plant-based options. The company's products are made with simple, whole plant ingredients and are free from artificial additives. Strong Roots has expanded rapidly since its founding, with its products now available in over 10,000 stores across multiple countries including Ireland, the UK, US, Australia, and parts of Europe and Asia. In 2020, Strong Roots became a certified B Corporation, demonstrating its commitment to environmental and social responsibility. The company introduced carbon footprint labeling on its packaging in 2022, allowing consumers to easily understand the climate impact of its products. In December 2022, Strong Roots expanded into the single-serve frozen entree category with a new line of 14 plant-based meals. In April 2024, Canadian frozen food giant McCain Foods acquired Strong Roots for an undisclosed sum, building on its initial USD 55 million investment for a minority stake in 2021. Following the acquisition, Strong Roots continues to operate as a distinct business unit within McCain, with plans to scale the brand globally and expand into more regions.

Strong Roots

Happi Foodi is a frozen food company based in Nutley, New Jersey, that specializes in developing and commercializing a diverse portfolio of chef-inspired frozen meals and products. Founded in 2018, the company offers a range of breakfasts, appetizers, entrees, pizzas, and veggie side dishes available nationwide. Happi Foodi's product line includes ready-to-heat meals, keto bowls, and veggie sides, focusing on providing convenient, flavorful, and nutrient-rich meal solutions. The company's mission is to make chef-inspired eating accessible and convenient for consumers to enjoy from home or on-the-go.
Happi Foodi's products are designed to support a health-forward lifestyle while delivering on the brand's promise of "Indulgence Without Compromise." The company aims to offer high-quality, affordable meal options that cater to various dietary preferences. In addition to its proprietary Happi Foodi label, the company has expanded its portfolio through partnerships and brand-building initiatives. For example, Happi Foodi has a partnership with Barstool Sports' One Bite Pizza, further diversifying its product offerings.
Happi Foodi's products are available in retail stores, with the company mentioning that its items can be found at Walmart. The company's focus on convenience, affordability, and health-conscious options suggests that it caters to a broad range of consumers looking for quick and nutritious meal solutions.
Key customers and partnerships
Happi Foodi has established partnerships with various organizations to support its mission and expand its reach. In December 2020, the company announced a year-long partnership with professional golfer Danielle Kang, pledging to donate USD 100,000 worth of meals to local food banks of Kang's choosing. The first donation benefited Three Square Food Bank in Southern Nevada.
In March 2022, Maruha Nichiro Corporation, a major Japanese seafood producer and distributor, invested in Happi Foodi. This investment was based on Maruha Nichiro's strategy to form a capital and business alliance with an experienced partner in frozen food manufacturing and sales in North America.

Happi Foodi

Saffron Road is a leading American food company specializing in world cuisine frozen entrees, shelf-stable meals, simmer sauces, and snacks. Founded in 2009 in Stamford, Connecticut, the company has positioned itself as a provider of premium, better-for-you halal food products. Saffron Road's offerings are inspired by global cuisines, including Indian, Thai, Mexican, and Middle Eastern flavors. The company's products are available in over 25,000 stores across the US, including major retailers such as Walmart, Kroger, Whole Foods Market, Target, Publix, and Wegmans.
Saffron Road prides itself on using high-quality, ethically sourced ingredients in its products. All of its offerings are halal-certified, and most are also gluten-free and Non-GMO Project Verified. The company never uses antibiotics, artificial ingredients, GMOs, or protein isolates in its products. Saffron Road's commitment to quality extends to its meat sourcing, using only 100% vegetarian-fed and humanely raised animals.
The company has experienced significant growth since its inception. As of July 2023, Saffron Road's annual sales were approaching USD 65 million. Its product line has expanded to include over 50 items, ranging from frozen entrees and shelf-stable meal pouches to simmer sauces and organic crunchy chickpea snacks. Some of Saffron Road's most popular frozen entrees include Chicken Tikka Masala, Chicken Pad Thai, and Chicken Biryani.
Saffron Road has also been innovative in its approach to sustainability. The company uses pouches instead of glass containers for its simmer sauces, reducing energy use in transportation by over 30% and decreasing its overall carbon footprint by 70%.
Key customers and partnerships
Saffron Road has established strong partnerships with major retailers across the US. The company's products are sold in over 25,000 stores nationwide, including Walmart, Kroger, Whole Foods Market, Target, Publix, Wegmans, and Costco.
Whole Foods Market played a crucial role in Saffron Road's early success, being the first national retailer to carry the brand in 2010. This partnership helped Saffron Road reach a broader audience beyond the Muslim community, appealing to health-conscious consumers and those interested in global cuisines.
In June 2023, Saffron Road expanded its retail presence by launching its products in 2,700 Walmart stores, further solidifying its position in the mainstream market. The company has also partnered with Amazon to offer direct-to-consumer sales through its website.

Saffron Road

Creating snack products optimized for air fryers, ensuring even cooking and maintaining taste and texture when air-fried

Enhancing snack texture to achieve a satisfying, crunchy bite, elevating the sensory appeal of snacking experiences

Frozen meals that preserve fresh-like quality, maintaining taste and texture as if freshly made

Fully cooked meals or meal kits that are quick and easy to prepare, reducing preparation time and effort

Fully cooked meals that require no refrigeration and can be easily prepared by microwaving

Companies in this hub deals with providing meals that align with specific dietary requirements/preferences of customers

Thistle

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