• Upton’s Natural, a Chicago-based producer of plant-based meats, has partnered with the American restaurant group The Buona Companies to introduce a plant-based Chicago Italian beef and gravy at Midwest region Whole Foods, Fresh Thyme, and Jewel-Osco stores.

• The new heat-and-eat-style product is made by combining Buona’s signature family recipe and Upton’s thinly sliced and seasoned seitan soaked in a savory vegetable-broth-based gravy. The company claims the product will have 36 grams of protein per serving while offering flavors associated with Buona’s traditional Italian beef such as oregano, garlic, and pepper.

<ul><li> AnalystQuickTake: The two companies first collaborated back in April 2021, when it initially introduced the Beefless Italian Sandwich as a limited-time special, which sold out in less than 24 hours in most locations. Following the overwhelming demand, the product was added to its permanent menu at 26 locations. Upton’s Natural’s other partnerships include Dot Foods, which it collaborated with in April 2021 , in order to increase the nationwide distribution of its plant-based meat products.