Outstanding Foods

Outstanding Foods is a Los Angeles-based company operating in the plant-based food sector, specifically focusing on the snack food market. Founded in 2017 by Bill Glaser, a serial entrepreneur with a background in finance and a long-time vegan, and Chef Dave Anderson, who was previously instrumental in product development at Beyond Meat and Eat Just. Glaser's extensive experience in finance, including raising significant capital for various ventures and leading two companies to nine-figure exits, is complemented by Anderson's culinary expertise in plant-based cuisine, having owned the acclaimed Madeleine Bistro. The partnership was born from Glaser’s desire to create impactful, healthy, and plant-based products, a vision he could only realize with a chef of Anderson's caliber.

The company's business model is a hybrid, utilizing both direct-to-consumer (DTC) online sales and a substantial retail footprint. Products are sold through its website, which offers subscription options, and are available in major retailers like Walmart, Kroger, and Whole Foods across nearly 22,000 stores. This dual-channel strategy allows the company to build brand awareness through digital marketing while capturing the mainstream consumer at physical retail locations. Outstanding Foods has successfully raised $21.4 million in funding, including a significant Series A round, to fuel its expansion, marketing efforts, and research and development. The company has also attracted a diverse group of investors, including venture capital firms like SternAegis Ventures and celebrities such as Snoop Dogg and JaVale McGee.

Outstanding Foods' product portfolio is centered on creating plant-based versions of popular, indulgent snacks without animal-derived or artificial ingredients, gluten, or GMOs. Their offerings include the 'Outstanding Cheese Balls,' 'Outstanding Puffs,' and 'Pig Out Crunchies' (formerly Pigless Pork Rinds). These products are formulated with pea protein and fortified with a blend of nutrients from vegetables and mushrooms, providing a source of protein and up to 20 essential vitamins and minerals. For instance, the cheese balls, positioned as the first dairy-free option on the market, come in various flavors and offer 4 grams of protein per serving. Initially, the company launched with mushroom-based bacon chips, but later discontinued them due to production complexities, demonstrating a nimble approach to product strategy. Looking ahead, the company plans to expand beyond salty snacks into categories like gluten-free cookies and is developing a plant-based egg substitute.

Keywords: plant-based snacks, vegan food, direct-to-consumer food, CPG startup, healthy snacks, Bill Glaser, Chef Dave Anderson, dairy-free cheese balls, pigless pork rinds, pea protein snacks, food technology, venture capital-backed food company, retail food products, e-commerce food brand, gluten-free snacks, non-GMO foods, snack food innovation, alternative protein, celebrity-backed startup, plant-based nutrition