Seattle-based plant-based food technology company Rebellyous Foods has announced the addition of its plant-based chicken patty to the menu at Great State Burger, a Pacific Northwest restaurant chain. The partnership brings Rebellyous’ plant-based chicken products to a broader audience and aligns with the growing demand for plant-based food options in the restaurant sector.
“We’ve expanded distribution and deployed our novel production technology, positioning our plant-based chicken products to rival conventional meat”
The new menu item, known as the Rebellyous Plant-Based Chicken Burger, includes the company’s signature plant-based chicken patty, topped with organic lettuce, pickles, regular cheese and State Sauce (which is not vegan). In order to make the burger vegan, it must be requested without cheese or State Sauce. The sandwich debuted recently and, according to Great State Burger, has quickly become a popular choice among customers.
“We’re excited to introduce a plant-based chicken burger that’s delicious and accessible to all. The response from customers has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Nathan Yeager, co-owner of Great State Burger.
Scaling through technology
Rebellyous Foods, founded in 2017 by former Boeing engineer Christie Lagally, develops plant-based chicken products using proprietary manufacturing technology aimed at making plant-based meat competitive with traditional animal-based chicken. The company has positioned itself as a major player in the plant-based foods sector, supplying products to over 400 locations across the United States, including restaurants, schools, hospitals, and event venues.
Lagally noted, “A recent study even showed a preference for plant-based chicken nuggets over traditional meat nuggets, underscoring how consumers prioritize taste. Over the past several years, we’ve expanded distribution and deployed our novel production technology, positioning our plant-based chicken products to rival conventional meat in quality, consistency, taste, and price.”
The Rebellyous plant-based chicken patty is vegan, free of cholesterol, antibiotics, and hormones, and contains lower levels of saturated fat compared to traditional chicken patties. The company’s technology, including its recently unveiled “Mock 2” production system, is designed to make plant-based chicken more affordable and scalable.
Recent funding to fuel growth
Rebellyous Foods has also been expanding its market presence through partnerships and distribution deals. Last month, the company announced a collaboration with Dot Foods, North America’s largest food industry redistributor. This partnership is expected to expand the availability of Rebellyous’ nuggets, tenders, and patties to foodservice providers across the United States.
In addition to its product launches and distribution efforts, Rebellyous recently raised $2.4 million as an extension of its Series B funding round, as reported by GeekWire. This follows the $9.5 million raised in 2023, with the new funds earmarked for sales growth and further research and development on its Mock 2 system. Investors in the company include KBW Ventures, Agronomics, and Clear Current Capital, among others.
Great State Burger, known for its fast service and locally focused menu, has embraced the inclusion of the Rebellyous chicken burger as part of its effort to cater to evolving consumer preferences. “As more customers choose plant-based diets for reasons ranging from health to sustainability to choice, food service providers are working hard to meet this growing demand,” continued Lagally.
