Grillido

Grillido GmbH is a German food company that develops, produces, and markets a range of meat, vegetarian, and vegan barbecue and snack products. The company was founded in 2015 by childhood friends Manuel Stöffler and Michael Ziegler. Both founders come from butcher families and, as sports and nutrition enthusiasts, they identified a gap in the market for a healthier, high-protein, low-fat sausage. The initial idea emerged during a barbecue in the summer of 2014, leading them to experiment with recipes in a garage, aiming to create a sausage that was both healthy and flavorful without high-fat content.

Grillido's business model is multi-channel, encompassing e-commerce, retail, and foodservice. Their products are sold through their own online shop, in over 500 REWE and EDEKA supermarkets, and in fitness studios. This direct-to-consumer approach via their e-commerce platform provides them with valuable consumer insights, which helps in rapid product development and innovation. The company's product line features sausages with reduced fat content, achieved by replacing fat with ingredients like vegetables, herbs, and cheese. The portfolio has expanded from meat-based bratwursts and protein-rich snacks to include a wide array of vegetarian and vegan alternatives, such as plant-based burgers, to cater to a broader, health-conscious audience.

The company gained significant public attention after appearing on the German television show "Die Höhle der Löwen" ("The Lion's Den") in 2016. Although they turned down an investment offer on the show, they subsequently secured half a million euros from prominent business angels, including the founders of Flixbus and MyMuesli. This event was a catalyst for their growth. A major milestone was winning the German Founders' Award in the 'Startup' category in 2017, which further boosted their profile. In January 2023, functional ingredient manufacturer BENEO acquired a 14% stake in Grillido to gain better insights into the plant-based market, although this partnership was later dissolved in August 2023. Grillido's vision is to transition from a food startup to a sustainable food company, encouraging a reduction in meat consumption without sacrificing taste.

Keywords: healthy sausage, protein snacks, plant-based alternatives, food technology, direct-to-consumer food, barbecue products, meat alternatives, German food startup, e-commerce food, retail food products, foodservice supplier, low-fat meat, vegan barbecue, vegetarian sausage, Manuel Stöffler, Michael Ziegler, Die Höhle der Löwen, German Founders' Award, sustainable food, nutrition-focused