Hot Dogs

Better Balance, Sigma's global plant-based food brand, announced the launch of its popular Better Dog at all Gelson's Markets locations across Los Angeles County.

Image courtesy of Better Balance
Retail & E-Commerce

Better Balance’s Gluten & Soy-Free Plant-Based Dogs Hit Gelson’s 27 Locations in LA County

Better Balance, Sigma‘s global plant-based food brand, announces the launch of its latest release — the Better Dog — at all 27 Gelson’s Markets locations across Los Angeles County, from Santa Barbara to Pacific Beach. The Better Dog is a gluten and soy-free alternative made from pea protein. The brand claims that it has quickly become a favorite among consumers and industry experts for its superior taste and texture. The product earned various accolades after its initial launch in Spain in 2022 and its US debut in Chicago’s foodservice scene this February. Gelson’s will offer two SKUs: the Jumbo pack, featuring two extra-long hot dogs, and the Classic, a five-pack of traditional-sized hot dogs. Ana Guerra, Head of US for Better Balance, shares, “As we …

more

Organisations and brands:

Better Balance Better Dog arrives in Chicago retailers

© Better Balance

Retail & E-Commerce

Award-Winning Better Dog Lands on Shelves at Chicago Grocery Stores Marking In-Store Retail Debut for Better Balance

Better Balance, a subsidiary of Sigma, headquartered in Spain and Mexico, announced recently that its Better Dog™ is now available at a number of Chicago grocery markets, including Cermak Fresh Market, Pete’s Market, and Tony’s Fresh Market. While the brand has previously focused on foodservice, with partnerships including Chicago’s Kale My Name restaurant and the Sushi Roll restaurant chain in Mexico, this launch marks the brand’s debut in traditional in-store retail. The favored plant dog in multiple regions The Better Dog, created with pea protein and free from gluten and soy, was first introduced in Spain in 2022. Five months later it became the number one selling product in the hot dog and sausage category, claims the brand. Additionally, upon its introduction at Kale My …

more

Organisations and brands:

Impossible dog

© Impossible Foods
Products & Launches

Impossible Foods Offers a Sneak Peek of Next Year’s Impossible Beef Hot Dog

Impossible Foods announces the latest addition to its product lineup, the Impossible™ Beef Hot Dogs. The company will be previewing the product at a pop-up in NYC this month before the official retail and foodservice launch set for early 2024. CEO Peter McGuinness, expressed the significance of adding hot dogs to the Impossible product lineup, stating, “Hot dogs are an undeniably classic part of American culture and not to mention, they’re a burger’s best friend. It’s long been a priority to add them to our product portfolio.” The plant-based hot dogs have been designed to replicate the nostalgic flavors of a New York-style hot dog while containing 0mg cholesterol, 50% less total saturated fat, and a substantial 12g of protein compared to the 6g found …

more

Organisations and brands:

Plant Power Fast Food coney dog

© Plant Power Fast Food
Products & Launches

Comedian Tim Robinson and Plant Power Fast Food Team Up to Launch Plant-Based Coney Dog

Plant-based fast food chain Plant Power Fast Food introduces a vegan version of the Coney hot dog in collaboration with comedian and actor Tim Robinson. The Coney dog, a Midwest favorite, is traditionally topped with a meaty chili sauce, mustard, and finely chopped white onions. Although it’s often associated with Coney Island in New York, the popular dish originated in Michigan, making the partnership especially close to Tim’s heart as a Midwesterner. Plant Power Fast Food is not just launching a plant-based Coney dog but is also offering limited-edition “Coney Club” hats and t-shirts showcasing the collaboration, which are available for purchase online. Proceeds from the sales of the Coney dog and exclusive merchandise will be channeled toward the non-profit organization, Youth Climate Save, which …

more

Organisations and brands:

IKEA Plant Dog

© IKEA
Food Service

IKEA to Launch Plant-Based Version of Iconic Hot Dog

IKEA shoppers in Europe will soon be able to enjoy plant-based hot dogs that mimic the taste and texture of the chain’s original animal-based version. Made from rice protein, onion, apple, salt, pepper, and smoky seasoning, the hot dogs are said to have a “characteristic sausage flavour”. They also have a casing, which provides the same “snap” and sensory experience as biting into the conventional version. While IKEA already offers a vegan hot dog, it is made from vegetables and is not intended to imitate meat. The new option is described as a modern “evolution” of the original animal-based hot dog, which has been offered for over 40 years. “We have spent much time in the development process to give the best experience for our …

more

Organisations and brands:

Plant-Based Hot Dog

©Sensible Hot Dogs
Investments & Finance

Canada: Sensible Hot Dogs Raises Nearly $12M to Disrupt American Hot Dog Market

Sensible Hot Dogs, an innovative plant-based hot dog company, announces it has raised $11,990,000 in non-brokered private financings. The announcement follows Sensible’s public debut on Canada’s NEO Exchange in 2022 under the symbol “HOTD.” Sensible Hot Dogs says it is on a mission to recreate hot dogs, America’s favorite street food, using less processed and more natural ingredients. According to The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, Americans consume a massive 20 billion hot dogs every year. Currently, 95% of American homes eat hot dogs, while the average US resident consumes about 70 hot dogs annually.  Despite their popularity, the negative health consequences of eating conventional hot dogs have been well-documented. In one study, University of Michigan researchers found that consuming a single hot dog …

more

Organisations and brands:

Plant-based Hot Dogs/ Lunch

©Sensible Hot Dogs
Investments & Finance

Plant-Based Startup Sensible Hot Dogs Makes Public Debut on Canada’s NEO Exchange

Hot dog startup Sensible Hot Dogs announces it has launched its common shares on Canada’s NEO Exchange, and is now publicly trading under the symbol NEO: HOTD. Based in Canada, Sensible is described as an innovative hot dog company creating tastier and healthier versions of America’s favorite street food. By combining clean and sustainable ingredients with a functional price point, the company seeks to reinvent consumers’ experience with plant-based foods.  “Our debut on the NEO Exchange is a significant milestone for our company as we look to leverage the capital markets to fuel our growth with the support of a Tier 1 exchange,” commented Shawn Balaghi, CEO of Sensible Hot Dogs. He continued, “After thoroughly reviewing all of the potential options to list in Canada, …

more

©Better Balance
Food & Beverage

Global Food Company Sigma Debuts ‘Better Balance’ Plant-Based Meats and Dairy in US

Sigma, a multi-billion dollar food company with leading brands in 18 countries, announces the launch of its new plant-based brand Better Balance in the US. Featuring plant-based shreds, grounds, and dairy-free cheese, Better Balance is currently available for foodservice channels, with future plans for additional products and direct-to-consumer sales. Headquartered in Dallas, TX, Better Balance states its products focus on providing great taste, texture, nutrition and versatility. Offerings include: Shreds – Can be marinated as chicken, beef, pork, or fish. Grounds – For Bolognese pasta, plant-based meatballs, and hamburgers. Hot Dogs – Ideal for grilling and summer celebrations. Sour Cream and Cheese Sauce – For dairy-free queso and nachos. First launched in Spain and Mexico, Better Balance says its products are tailored to suit different …

more

Organisations and brands:

Portillo's Plant-Based Hot Dog

©Portillo's
Fast Food

Portillo’s Partners with Field Roast to Introduce Plant-Based Garden Dog

Portillo’s, a fast-casual chain known for its Chicago-style hot dogs, announces it has joined with plant-based brand Field Roast to launch its first meatless item, The Garden Dog. The new offering is now available at all 71 Portillo’s locations in the US.  Made with Field Roast’s Signature Stadium Dog, the Garden Dog is custom-made for Portillo’s and features classic toppings such as mustard, relish, chopped onions, tomatoes, celery salt, a pickle spear, and sport peppers on a steamed poppy seed bun.  Already available at retail, Field Roast’s Stadium Dog recreates the flavors of premium, kosher-style hot dogs by double smoking over maple hardwood with both steam and dry heat. Made with non-GMO pea protein, the product provides the same amount of protein as most conventional …

more

Organisations and brands:

Veylinx hot dog labels

© Veylinx
Studies & Numbers

Call This “Meatless” Rather Than a “Vegan” Hot Dog to Increase Demand by 16%

Recently published research reveals some curious results in relation to the consumer behaviour of North Americans purchasing plant based foods; including the fact that the term “meatless” when used to label a hot dog increases demand significantly. Impact of labelling The study addressed the hot dog category and found that labelling the hot dog as “meatless” instead of “vegan” boosts demand by 16%. The term “meatless” created the greatest demand among the participants, followed by “veggie,” “plant-based,” “animal-free,” and lastly “vegan.”  Further key findings include Cultivated meat is the preferred alternative for burgers, jerky, nuggets and filet mignon. Plant-based with meatlike properties drives the greatest demand for bacon and lasagne. Microalgae is favored for sushi. Shoppers are also willing to pay extra for plant-based lasagne …

more

Plant-Based Hot Dog

©Wienerschnitzel
Products & Launches

Wienerschnitzel Launches Field Roast Vegan Hot Dogs Across All Locations Following Successful Trial

American hot dog chain Wienerschnitzel announces the company is bringing Field Roast’s plant-based hot dogs to all 327 locations for a limited time.  The dogs can be made vegan by ordering without dairy-based cheese. Billed as “The World’s Largest Hot Dog Chain”, Wienerschnitzel says the national expansion follows a successful market trial at 30 regional units. The brand’s new Veggie Dogs feature a Field Roast Signature Stadium Dog served in three different styles:  Backyard (With dairy-based American cheese, pickle spear, tomato, ketchup, and mustard)  Barbeque (Barbecue sauce, pickle spear, onions)  Chicago (Tomato, pickle spear, peppers, onions, relish, mustard, and celery salt).  Field Roast’s  Signature Stadium Dogs are crafted from a blend of pea protein and spices, and cooked in small batches over hardwood smoke. The plant-based …

more

Organisations and brands:

Nathan's Famous hot dog

©Nathan's Famous
Products & Launches

New York’s Emblematic Nathan’s Famous Introduces First Vegan Hot Dog

Nathan’s Famous, one of New York’s most famous hot dog venues which first began distributing its iconic hot dogs on the renowned Coney Island in 1916, has introduced its first vegan hot dog through a new partnership between Nathan’s Famous and Meatless Farm. The vegan hot dogs are now available online for USD $49.99 (includes 6 pieces with bun and mustard). Within the next few weeks they will be available in Nathan’s Famous shops in the following states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Florida. Each unit in those shops will cost USD $4.99. As we reported in December 2020, rapidly growing meat alternative proucer Meatless Farm announced its further expansion into several US retail and e-commerce channels, as well as its intention to raise …

more

Organisations and brands:

Nugg

©Nuggs
Company News

Nuggs Raises $4.1M, Says “Food System is in Need of Complete Reinvention”, is Already Reinventing the Hot Dog

According to Food Dive, the plant-based chicken startup Nuggs received $4,1 million in investments and has founded its new parent company Simulate to expand the product range beyond the plantbased chicken nugget. By taking this step, Nuggs wants to prove itself as an alternative meat brand known for new and innovative products.

more

Organisations and brands:

©Moving Mountains

Food & Beverage

Moving Mountains’ Best Selling Plant-Based Burger and Famous Footlong Hotdog Launch Into Woolworths Australia

Moving Mountains, the pioneering UK plant-based food technology company whose B12 Burger and footlong hot dog are hugely successful throughout the UK, has now launched both products into Australia via an exclusive distribution deal with Woolworths Supermarkets nationwide and Henry’s Burgers in Melbourne.

more

Organisations and brands:

Michael Lenahan_Headshot(1)

Image courtesy of Greenleaf / Lightlife
Interviews

Lightlife: “Vegan Consumers are the Tip of the Spear and Many are Following Their Lead”

Lightlife Foods, founded in 1979, is the #1 refrigerated alternative protein brand in U.S. retail. Lightlife is part of the plant-based portfolio of Greenleaf Foods, who announced yesterday plans to construct North America’s largest plant-based protein manufacturing facility, which will enable Lightlife to more than double its production output.

more

Organisations and brands:

ikea hot dog
Top Stories

IKEA Sell 1M Vegan Hot Dogs in Europe

IKEA launched their vegan hot dogs, made from kale, lentils, carrot and potato, in European stores two months ago, and have already sold over a million. In 2015, the Swedish furniture store released their plant-based meatballs to great success, and now they are continuing with their focus on sustainability and offerings to the constantly increasing vegan population.

more

Organisations and brands:

load more