Wicked Kitchen

Pete Speranza, Sarno brothers

© Wicked Kitchen/Good Catch
Company News

Wicked Kitchen Acquired by Ahimsa Companies in Strategic Industry Consolidation

Wicked Kitchen, a global plant-based food brand, along with its associated brands Good Catch and Current Foods, has been acquired by the Ahimsa Companies, becoming part of its plant-based industry consolidation effort.  Pete Speranza, CEO of Wicked Kitchen, stated, “We are aligned in our mission, and we believe that Wicked Kitchen is stronger today and better positioned to serve the health and environmentally conscious consumer who does not want to sacrifice on taste or convenience.” Wicked Kitchen, founded by chefs Derek and Chad Sarno, offers a wide range of plant-based foods, including frozen meal solutions, desserts, ingredients, and snacks. Its products are available in over 20,000 retailers and online, with over 50 products in the US and more than 150 in the UK. Industry consolidation …

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Wagamama veganuary

© Wagamama
Charity & Campaigns

Wagamama, Beyond Meat, and Wicked Kitchen Join New ’50 by 25′ Sustainable Dining Campaign

Animal rights charity Viva! and Emma Osborne, founder of Citizen Kind, have together launched a large-scale, two-year long initiative centred around sustainable dining called 50 by 25, which urges restaurants to make 50% of their menu plant-based by the end of 2025. Restaurants, hotels, coffee shops, food brands, distributors, wholesalers, professional chefs, and delivery services will all play an important role in kicking off this UK-based campaign. Brands Wagamama, Beyond Meat, and Wicked Kitchen have already pledged their support, joined by celebrities such as plant-based chef Derek Sarno, co-founder of Wicked Kitchen, and the multi-award-winning French chef (turned vegan) Alexis Gauthier. Wagamama’s menu is already 50% plant-based, and the 50 by 25 campaign is now calling for other restaurants to follow suit. As part of the …

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Wicked Kitchen frozen entrees

© Wicked Kitchen
Products & Launches

Wicked Kitchen’s Frozen Entrees Hit Shelves in Target Stores Nationwide

Global plant-based food brand Wicked Kitchen has announced the launch of its lineup of frozen entrees at nationwide Target stores in the US. This expansion comes just two years after the company’s entry into the US market in 2,500 stores across the country in what the company claims was the largest plant-based product rollout in US grocery history.  The news comes towards the end of a busy year for Wicked Kitchen, with the launch of several new product lines, company acquisitions, retail expansion in the UK, and notable investments. Pete Speranza, CEO of Wicked Kitchen, commented, “The launch at Target is another step towards giving more access to plant-based foods to consumers, and it’s especially exciting since we share the same hometown of Minneapolis. It is validating to have such …

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Wicked Kitchen launches at Asda stores

© Wicked Kitchen
Retail & E-Commerce

Wicked Kitchen Expands to Asda Stores UK-Wide in “Major Milestone”

Plant-based brand Wicked Kitchen has announced a major UK retail expansion, with a selection of its meat alternatives now available at national supermarket chain Asda. The products on offer include Jalapeño Griller Patties, Italian-Inspired Amazeballs, and Chorizo-Style Bangers. Asda says the launch aligns with its Creating Change for the Better strategy, which aims to promote a more sustainable future. Wicked Kitchen first launched in the UK in 2018, originally available exclusively at Tesco stores. Sales were so high that the range was quickly doubled, and continued to expand over the following years. Over 150 Wicked Kitchen products are now available; these include meat alternatives, ready meals, bakery products, ice creams, and more. “Extending our products to Asda is a major milestone for Wicked Kitchen and …

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Chris Paul Plant-Based Investor

©Wicked Kitchen
Celebrities

NBA Icon Chris Paul Becomes Investor in “Global Impact Brand” Wicked Kitchen

Plant-based CPG brand Wicked Kitchen announces basketball superstar Chris Paul has joined the company as an investor. Paul joined the brand after originally investing in alt-seafood startup Current Foods, which Wicked Kitchen acquired in May.  A 10-time NBA All-Star, Paul transitioned to a plant-based diet in 2019 and credits the change with enhancing his on-court performance and improving his recovery time. Paul has become a passionate advocate for the vegan lifestyle and also invested in plant-based brands Umaro Foods, Misha’s, and Koia protein shakes.  In 2022, Paul partnered with delivery service GoPuff to launch his own line of plant-based chips and snacks, Good Eat’n.  Accelerating growth With one of the plant-based industry’s most extensive ranges of packaged foods, Wicked Foods’ products can currently be found …

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Wicked Kitchen

© Wicked Kitchen
Food Service

Wicked Kitchen Launches “Largest Selection” of Plant-Based Products in UK Food Service

Wicked Kitchen has announced a new partnership with Booker, the UK’s leading food and drink wholesaler, to launch a large range of plant-based products into food service. Various Wicked Kitchen catering packs are now available at all 195 Booker locations, providing convenient plant-based options for pubs, restaurants, hotels, and more. Products include: Sourdough Pain Au Chocolate Tantalising Tikka Pouches Smoky Chilli Pouches Sweet Potato & Vegetable Tikka Pies No-Chicken Pies Chorizo Style Sausages Italian Inspired Amazeballs Jalapeño Griller Burgers Sticky Toffee Puddings. Further options, including ‘Chilli Not-Dogs’, are set to launch later in the year, providing what is said to be the largest selection of plant-based food service products on the UK market. Wicked Kitchen has also developed video recipes and training to help chefs …

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Current Plant-Based Seafood

©Current Foods
Investments & Acquisitions

Wicked Kitchen Acquires Alt-Seafood Brand Current Foods to Expand Global Food Service

Global plant-based foods brand Wicked Kitchen announces it has acquired US alt-seafood startup Current Foods, adding an “exciting growth segment” to Wicked’s portfolio while reflecting the need for consolidation in the plant-based industry, the company states. The all-stock transaction will also strengthen Wicked’s food service capabilities by providing Current Foods’ plant-based, sushi-grade tuna and salmon.  The move marks Wicked’s second merger within a year, following its acquisition of alt-seafood CPG brand Good Catch in 2022. According to Wicked Kitchen CEO Pete Speranza, the merger with Current Foods will bring Wicked new global opportunities, channels and consumers.  “Current Foods is a perfect match for Wicked as a global-impact brand with the same mission and complementary products,” said Speranza. “With this deal and the Good Catch acquisition, we’re …

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Wicked Ice Cream, Stew and Mac & Cheeze

©Wicked Kitchen
Products & Launches

Wicked Kitchen Expands Grocery Line with Birthday Cake Ice Cream, Heat-and-Eat Stews and Mac & Cheeze

Global plant-based brand Wicked Kitchen announces it is expanding its US grocery range with several varieties of heat-and-eat stews, mac ‘n cheeze and an all-new Birthday Cake ice cream pint. The company will be sampling its latest offerings at the upcoming Expo West in Anaheim, CA. According to Wicked, it is expanding its lineup during a time of “high growth” for the brand, as it continues to rapidly increase nationwide retail distribution points.  The new ice cream, stews and mac & cheezes add to the 50+ products Wicked already sells in the frozen and grocery categories. The latest offerings include: Birthday Cake Ice Cream Sweet “ice dream” with vegan cake pieces and rainbow sprinkles.  Heat & Serve Stews      Tuscan Style White Bean Stew …

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Derek Sarno

Derek Sarno. Image: LinkedIn

Retail & E-Commerce

Tesco Plans New Veg-Led Options Despite Derek Sarno Departure

Derek Sarno has announced he will be leaving his position as Director of Plant-Based Innovation at UK supermarket chain Tesco. Sarno, who co-founded the highly successful brand Wicked Kitchen, has been in the position for six years. During this time, he has overseen the development of both Wicked — which initially launched exclusively at Tesco in 2018 — and the retailer’s more affordable brand, Plant Chef. The launches made Tesco one of the first supermarkets to have its own line of plant-based products. There are now over 180 products in the Plant Chef range alone, and Wicked Kitchen also continues to expand — including internationally. Sarno helped to make Tesco the first UK supermarket to stock alt meat products in the conventional meat aisle, and …

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ASM Plant-Based Snacks/ Appetizers

©ASM Global
Society

ASM Global Partners with Wicked Kitchen to Bring Plant-Based Menu to Hundreds of Live Venues

ASM Global, a leader in venue management and live entertainment, announces a multi-year partnership with plant-based food provider Wicked Kitchen to increase vegan food options across its network of arenas, stadiums, theaters and convention centers.  With this strategic partnership, ASM says it is poised to become a sustainability leader within the global entertainment and convention industry.  The partnership establishes Wicked Kitchen as ASM’s “Preferred Plant-Based Food Partner” and “Exclusive Plant-Based Food Provider” across all catering, suite and concessions managed by SAVOR, the company’s culinary division. Featured menu items will include a diverse selection of appetizers, sandwiches, sausages, burgers, pizzas, pastas, main dishes and ice cream, all 100% plant-based.  “We’re proud to be a part of the solution for ASM Global’s large-scale venues to meet their sustainability …

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Wicked Kitchen Rustic Vegetable Pizza

© Wicked Kitchen
Studies & Numbers

Consumers Urged to Cut 40% of Emissions by Eating One Plant-Based Meal Per Day

This World Vegan Day, plant-based brand Wicked Kitchen is urging consumers to help the planet by eating a plant-based meal every day. According to the company, this could reduce an individual’s carbon footprint by over 40%, which is more than any other action such as recycling or buying local. It could also save four animals per person per year from slaughter, meaning 1.2 billion would be saved annually in the US alone if everyone made the change. “With every bite, consumers have the power to radically transform the world to become a more compassionate, healthier place,” said Pete Speranza, CEO of Wicked Kitchen. “What we choose to eat every day can truly help ameliorate human and animal suffering, environmental crises, and infectious and chronic diseases. …

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Wicked Plant-Based Options

© Wicked Kitchen
Food Service

Wicked Kitchen Partners With Minnesota Timberwolves for Plant-Based Concession Stand

Wicked Kitchen has announced the opening of an entirely plant-based concession stand in collaboration with basketball team the Minnesota Timberwolves. The stand will open at the Target Center in the Timberwolves’ home court of Minneapolis, which is also the city where Wicked is headquartered. This will be the first time the brand has served sports teams and fans. The menu includes: Sandwiches Grilled Chorizo Brat – bratwurst with spicy harissa mayo, sautéed peppers, and onions, topped with shaved lettuce on a sub roll. Jalapeño Gouda Burger – jalapeño patty, melted vegan gouda cheese, lettuce, vine-ripened tomato, and sliced onion, topped with Wicked burger sauce. Meatball Sub – Italian seasoned meatballs in Wicked’s popular Nana’s red sauce, topped with vegan parmesan on a garlic-butter sub roll. …

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Pete Speranza, Sarno brothers

© Wicked Kitchen/Good Catch
Investments & Acquisitions

Wicked Kitchen Raises $20M From Investors Including Woody Harrelson

Wicked Kitchen announces today that it has raised $20 million from investors including actor Woody Harrelson, and reports that it has more than tripled its YOY sales growth.   Today’s news comes three weeks after the announcement that Wicked, established by Derek and Chad Sarno, has acquired plant-based seafood company Good Catch — also founded by the Sarno brothers — expanding the company’s multi-category range to include the Good Catch portfolio of frozen and ambient vegan seafood products. New investors include Ahimsa VC of India, NRPT of Thailand (where Wicked is set to introduce 17 products), as well as actor Woody Harrelson. Harrelson, a vegan advocate, invested in Good Catch back in 2020, and also participated in a Series A round for Orange County vegan …

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Wicked Kitchen new range

Wicked Kitchen / Tesco

Retail & E-Commerce

Tesco’s Plant-Based Range Expands With 34 New Products

Tesco’s plant-based range has been significantly expanded, with 34 new products launched across a variety of categories. The UK supermarket chain has added meals such as Twisted Thai Green Curry, Spicy Pepper-No-Ni Pizza, and No Steak and Ale Pies to the Wicked Kitchen range. New sides include Eggy Style Tofu Rice and Dough Balls with Roasted Garlic Dip, while the dessert range now features Millionnaire’s Sundaes and Caramel Biscuit Dream Pots. These options can all be bought as part of the Wicked Meal Deal for 2, featuring a main, side, and dessert for £8. New dairy alternatives have also been added to both the Wicked Kitchen and Plant Chef lines. Wicked Kitchen now offers vegan shakes, while plant-based yogurts and cheeses have been launched under …

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Pete Speranza, Sarno brothers

© Wicked Kitchen/Good Catch
Investments & Acquisitions

Wicked Kitchen Acquires Good Catch’s North American Channels

Plant-based brand Wicked Kitchen has acquired alt-seafood producer Good Catch’s North American channels, stating: “We will have the largest variety of animal-free consumer packaged goods in the industry.” The acquisition will enhance Wicked’s portfolio to include frozen and ambient plant-based seafood. The company will take over the Good Catch brand in North America, while Good Catch’s parent company, Gathered Foods, will become a Wicked shareholder. Branding, product availability, and distribution will all remain the same. Both Wicked and Good Catch were co-founded by chef-brothers Chad and Derek Sarno. Chad Sarno will act as chief culinary officer for both brands, with Wicked and Good Catch working together on plant-based product innovations. Good Catch will also help Wicked expand its presence in foodservice. Wicked Kitchen in the …

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Wicked Kitchen Frozen Pizzas

© Wicked Kitchen
Products & Launches

Wicked Kitchen Debuts New Artisan Frozen Pizzas and Entrees at 2,000 Kroger Stores

Global food brand Wicked Kitchen is adding new artisan frozen pizzas and ready-to-heat meals to its expansive range of plant-based products in the US. Now available at 2,000 Kroger stores, the artisan pizzas feature a hand-stretched, wood-fired crust topped with new vegan “motz” – a meltable plant-based mozzarella-style cheese. Each 14” pizza retails for $9.99 in these flavors:  The Wicked Meaty Pizza – Nana’s classic red sauce, spicy plant-based ground sausage, PepperNOni, mushrooms, jalapenos,vegan motz. The Saucy Motz Pizza – Nana’s classic red sauce, basil, kale, cherry tomatoes, vegan motz. Rulebreakin’ Rustic Veg Pizza – Special olive-spiked red sauce, peppers, sautéed mushrooms, vegan motz. New convenience meals The company is also rolling out new heat-and-eat entrees inspired by global flavors from Europe to Asia. Each 14 …

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Wicked Kitchen Cookie Dough Ice Cream

©Wicked Kitchen
Marketing & Media

Wicked Kitchen Giving Away a Year’s Worth of Vegan Ice Cream for National Ice Cream Month

Wicked Kitchen, a global plant-based foods brand, is celebrating National Ice Cream Month in July with its “Scoop, Snap and Share” promotion. One winner will receive a year’s supply of Wicked Kitchen’s “game-changing” dairy-free ice cream and additional prizes. Elevating ice cream Beginning July 1, the brand wants fans to take a photo or video of any Wicked ice cream pint or novelty in a bowl, cone or recipe. Fans can then post and share the photo/video to Instagram, Facebook or TikTok, using the hashtag #WickedKitchen. All posts in July will be entered to win a year’s worth of ice cream, plus a Wicked goodie box and cookbook autographed by chefs Derek and Chad Sarno.  “Elevate National Ice Cream Month by enjoying our amazing, super-duper …

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Wicked Kitchen Ice Cream

©Wicked Kitchen
Food & Beverage

Wicked Kitchen Launches First-to-Market Lupin-Based Ice Cream in 2,000+ Kroger Stores

Wicked Kitchen, a 100% plant-based and flavor-forward global food brand, announces its new chef-crafted ice creams, sticks and cones are now available in 2,200 Kroger and Kroger-owned grocery stores including Ralphs, Fry’s, King Sooper and Fred Meyer. “Extraordinary creaminess” Wicked states the new ice cream, which is made from a unique base of lupin beans, represents the first such product to launch on the US market. Thanks to a proprietary blend of ingredients, Wicked’s ice creams offer exceptional creaminess, mouthfeel and flavor compared to other non-dairy ice cream brands, the company asserts.  The products debuting in Kroger and Kroger-branded stores include:  Ice cream pints in four flavors – Vanilla, Chocolate, Mint Chocolate Chip, and Cookie Dough. Chocolate & Almond Sticks – Sweet vanilla plant-based ice …

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©Wicked Kitchen
Food & Beverage

Wicked Kitchen’s “Game-Changing” Lupin-Based Ice Cream Coming to Kroger

Wicked Kitchen, a fast-growing vegan food brand, revealed it is launching a line of dairy-free ice cream crafted from lupin beans.  Set to roll out in April, the new treats will be available at over 2,000 Kroger and Kroger-owned grocery stores across the US. The line will feature pints in Vanilla, Chocolate, Mint Chocolate Chip, and Cookie Dough varieties, as well as three specialty cones and bars:  Chocolate and Red Berry Cone – A gluten-free maize cone with sweet ice cream, red berry sauce and chocolate chips Chocolate and Almond Bar – Vanilla ice cream and toasted almond pieces wrapped in a chocolate flavored coating Berry White – Sweet vanilla ice cream and swirled berry sauce wrapped in a white chocolate coating with red berry …

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Pete Speranza Wicked Kitchen

©Wicked Kitchen

Interviews

Wicked Kitchen: “Plant-Based Eating Can Save the World From an Environmental Impact Standpoint”

For regular vegconomist readers, Wicked Kitchen will need no introduction. Born in the UK to immediate success back in 2018, the plant-forward brand created by chef brothers Derek and Chad Sarno last year expanded into the US in the biggest plant-based brand launch in US grocery history, following a huge £14M raise. Wicked has now launched into Northern Europe, landing firstly in Finland, and announced its entrance into Asia and several other markets as it continues its incredible growth trajectory. It was time to sit down with CEO Pete Speranza and find out the secret ingredients in Wicked Kitchen’s vegan recipe to success. Wicked Kitchen is one of the fastest-growing plant-based brands in the world. Why are your products so attractive to consumers and retailers? …

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