Brad’s Raw Foods

Brad's Plant Based, formerly Brad's Raw Foods, produces air-dried, plant-based snacks. The company's product line includes Crunchy Kale, Veggie Chips, Veggie Keto Crisps, and Snackable Salads to Go, all of which are made from organic vegetables and are gluten-free. The snacks are dehydrated at low temperatures to preserve nutrients and enzymes.

The company was founded in 2009 by Brad Gruno, a serial entrepreneur from the telecommunications industry. After his fiber-optics business failed, Gruno adopted a raw food diet, which led to significant weight loss and improved health. Missing the crunch of traditional snacks, he began experimenting in his kitchen and created dehydrated kale chips. Gruno started selling his products at local farmers' markets before gaining distribution in health food stores and eventually securing a partnership with Whole Foods. By 2012, the company was a multi-million dollar business, and Gruno published a book, "Brad's Raw Made Easy," in 2013.

In February 2015, the company underwent a recapitalization and change of control, with an investor group led by Arthur J. Pergament of Pergament Advisors, LLC taking over. Gruno departed from his daily role but remained a minority shareholder. Arthur Pergament became CEO in 2016, driven by his own health journey after a liver failure diagnosis led him to discover the benefits of a plant-based diet. In March 2021, the company partnered with impact investment fund KEEN Growth Capital to accelerate growth and product development. However, in September 2024, Brad's Raw Chips, operating as Brad's Plant Based, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. As part of the proceedings, Snack Right Super Foods, a subsidiary of Mexico-based Deshitec, was positioned to acquire the company's assets.

Keywords: plant-based snacks, organic, gluten-free, dehydrated foods, kale chips, veggie chips, healthy snacks, raw foods, nutrient-dense, non-GMO, vegan snacks, low-calorie snacks, clean eating, whole foods, vegetable crackers, keto crisps, sustainable food, wellness products, food manufacturing, consumer packaged goods