Distribution: UNLIMEAT Brings Vegan Corn Dogs to Two Hands’ Menus; Immi Goes National with Whole Foods Market

UNLIMEAT Launches Vegan, Korean-style Corn Dog With Two Hands

Plant-based meat maker UNLIMEAT will soon be on the menu at Two Hands, a quick-service restaurant (QSR) that specializes in Korean-style corn dogs, as part of a new vegan option.

Founded in 2017, UNLIMEAT offers a line of alt-meat products including sausage, pepperoni, tuna, pulled pork and deli meats. The company is based in Korea but opened a Los Angeles base of operations for its U.S. business. According to a press release, UNLIMEAT has what it claims to be the largest plant-based meat factory in Asia. The company imports its cholesterol-free sausages to the U.S. for sale.

“While there are already several vegan sausages available in the United States, we are confident that none of them can match the taste and texture of real meat like our sausages can,” said UNLIMEAT co-CEO Ryan Chung in a press release. “With Two Hands now introducing our sausage corn dog option, we hope it will provide an opportunity for many people to experience the irresistible appeal of UNLIMEAT’s Vegan Sausage.”

Meanwhile, Two Hands has been gaining attention for its Korean-style corn dogs since its inception in 2019. Across its 40 plus locations, the restaurant offers a diverse range of fillings including sausage, spicy sausage, mozzarella cheese and cheddar cheese. Consumers can further customize their corn dog by selecting one of several batter options.

Immi Goes National with Whole Foods Market

Immi, a maker of better-for-you, plant-based ramen, has gone national with Whole Foods Market. Consumers can now find the brand’s Black Garlic “Chicken,” Spicy “Beef” and Tom Yum “Shrimp” flavors in all 500+ locations across the U.S.

Founded by Kevin Lee and Kevin Chanthasiriphan, immi launched direct-to-consumer in 2021. After experiencing rapid growth online, the brand entered retail in 2022 with placement in five Whole Foods Market regions.

Within the first few months of launch with the natural grocer, immi said, the company has outpaced other brands in its category, claiming it now turns at 70% above category averages.

“Whole Foods’ values align perfectly with immi’s ethos and commitment to making natural, delicious products with strict quality standards accessible to all,” the brand said in a press release. “After seeing the demand for truly healthy ramen from their customers while shopping in stores, retail has quickly become a core component of immi’s diversification strategy.”

The Whole Foods Market national launch comes just several months after the startup announced it raised $10 million in a funding round led by Touch Capital and featuring a slate of celebrity investors including tennis pro Naomi Osaka and R&B singer Usher. Immi plans to use the capital to quadruple its retail footprint this year and increase manufacturing rates.

Earlier this month, immi launched a new Roasted “Pork” Tonkotsu flavor that packs 21 grams of protein and has 6 grams of carbs per serving. The new offering is available via the brand’s website for $39 per 6-pack.

Zero Egg Named Exclusive Egg Partner of Plantega

Israeli food tech company Zero Egg has been named the exclusive plant-based egg of Plantega, a New York City-based startup that offers bodegas an easy way to add plant-based items to their menus and store shelves.

As part of the partnership, Zero Egg will be featured in 40 Plantega locations, with menu offerings including a Chopped Cheese and Bacon sandwich and an Egg and Cheese sandwich. The storefronts are located across Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and the Bronx and customers are also able to order the sandwiches via food delivery apps such as DoorDash, UberEats and Grubhub.

Launched in the food service channel in 2019, Zero Egg’s products are made using soy, potatoes, peas and chickpeas. The brand claims its egg substitutes use significantly less land, water and energy to create and emit fewer greenhouse gasses when compared to conventional eggs.

Just one month after making its U.S. debut in 2020, Zero Egg closed a $5 million funding round intended to help accelerate its growth. The round was led by Powerplant Ventures with additional participation from previous investor Unovis Asset Management’s New Crop Capital as well as The Kitchen Hub, an Israeli incubator and accelerator.

“Plantega’s breakfast items have long been a favorite amongst New Yorkers, so being able to offer our better-for-all eggs is truly a dream,” said Zero Egg co-founder and CEO Liron Nimrodi in a press release. “At Zero Egg, we’re committed to transforming the food system, something the team at Plantega is doing on a local level.”

Mina Enters Whole Foods Market with New Line of Soups and Stews

Mina has brought Morocco’s culinary heritage to Whole Foods Market’s Global Flavors Category with the launch of its newest product line of ready-to-eat Moroccan lentil, chickpea and white bean stews and soups.

Offered in four varieties – Hummus Morrocan Chickpea Stew, Addis Moroccan Lentil Stew, Loubia Moroccan White Bean Stew, and Harira Moroccan Chickpea & Lentil Soup – the heat & eat homestyle products will make their retail debut beginning June 1 across all WFM locations nationwide.

“Tradition runs deep in our family kitchen, and our mother Mina’s recipes are at the heart of it all. Warm, inviting aromas would fill the air as her pot simmered with rich blends of fresh ingredients, herbs and spices. Now, we transported this flavorful legacy of traditional stewed beans from Mina’s stove in Morocco to your table,” said Mina founder Fouad Kallamni in a press release.

Pipcorn Grows Retail Distribution to 25,000+ Doors

Better-for-you heirloom corn-snacking brand Picorn has rapidly expanded its retail footprint over the last quarter.

In total, the brand now has 25,000 points of distribution with its newest innovation, Twists, now available at retailers including Sprouts, Whole Foods, Wegmans and CVS.

“[The product] could not have been more well-received,” said Picorn co-founder Jeff Martin in a press release. “The excitement among retailers and consumers has been overwhelmingly positive and we anticipate continued expansion throughout the year.”

Additionally, Pipcorn has taken the skies with American Airlines, which will carry the brand’s Cheddar Cheese Balls for a limited time. The partnership comes after the product landed in several Ralph’s and Albertson’s divisions, including United, Shaws and Haggen.

More Notable Distribution Gains:

• Starting this month, Dress It Up’ssalad dressings are available nationally in Whole Foods Market, the brand’s first retail account. Whole Foods has accepted all six varieties of Dress It Up’s dressings including Champagne Vinaigrette, Apple Cider Vinaigrette, Blackberry Vinaigrette, Caesar, Red Wine Vinaigrette and Sesame Tahini.
• Protein-packed cereal brand Three Wishes, which has doubled its door count to 8,000 within the past year, announced its entrance in Target this month. The news comes on the heels of the brand’s recent rebrand as well as its latest flavor release, S’mores.
• Danish plant-based food brand Naturli has announced its U.S. debut through a new partnership with H-E-B. Beginning this month, the brand’s Plant Butter Spread and Plant Butter Block products will land on H-E-B shelves across Texas. Both products are formulated with almond butter, coconut oil and canola oil and were made to perform just like traditional butter.
• Mesa de Visa has expanded the reach of its Starter Sauces – available in Mediterranean, Latin, Creole and Caribbean varieties – with Whole Foods Market. The products, available for a SRP of $8.99 per bottle, can now be found at 200 WFM stores across the country.
• Indoor farming brand Gotham Greens has partnered with restaurant chain Just Salad. In most markets, the QSR will use Gotham’s Butterhead Lettuce as the base of its seasonal salad, The Gotham.
• Baked goods producer Mason Dixie has unveiled an 8-count box of its Cheddar Biscuit Sandwich, available exclusively at COSTCO. The new offering retails for $14.99 and is available at stores across the Midwest.