Japanese food tech group Next Food Ecosystem has announced plans to expand its innovative products across Asia.
The group consists of plant-based meat brand Next Meats, vegan foie gras producer Dr. Foods (which is a spinoff of the former), and international partner Wayback Burgers. Together, the companies will work to expand beyond Japan, using Singapore as a springboard to launch across Asia.
Wayback collaboration
Next Meats first announced a collaboration with Wayback Burgers last year, when the US-based chain trialled plant-based sliders made with Next’s short rib. Wayback recently opened a flagship restaurant in Tokyo, and is now searching for Asian franchise partners.
Wayback Burgers Asia is also set to launch a new business venture called Next Restaurant, which will offer bento boxes containing Next Meats products across Japan, Singapore, and New York’s Manhattan. Next Meat’s extensive range now includes skirt steak, beef bowls, chicken, burger patties, pork, tuna, and more.
NASDAQ IPO
The companies forming the Next Food Ecosystem are all listed on the OTC Market in the US, with plans for a NASDAQ IPO. The group’s leadership team, consisting of the senior management from WB Burgers, NEXT Meats, NEXT Restaurant, and Dr. Foods, has invited new business partners and potential investors to get in touch.
“Preparations for launch are proceeding at a rapid pace in nine countries and regions,” Next Meats’ Mr. Ryo Shirai told vegconomist last year. “In Europe, we are working on projects in France and Spain, the food capitals, and in China, Hong Kong, India, and Vietnam in Asia. We have secured production lines in China and India, aiming for large-scale and stable supply.”
