Vegan fast food chain Neat Burger has announced plans to expand into the retail market with a new range of products.
The Lewis Hamilton-backed food group plans to roll out its burger patty and other propriety products into retail and DTC by the end of the year, and is in talks with supermarkets in the US and UK about stocking its range.
As part of its rollout plans, the group is expanding its food technology division with the establishment of two new innovation centres in Chelsea, London and Manhattan, New York. James Skidmore, previously CEO at Hain Daniels and responsible for Linda McCartney Foods, has been appointed to Neat’s advisory board to help meet the expected growing demand for its products.
Neat Burger plans to use the innovation centres to develop the taste and consistency of current menu items, including its plant-based chicken alternative patty, hot dog, nuggets and shakes and new product innovation. It said it would be using food technology techniques and ingredients to develop “what is in effect the 3.0 version of plant-based food”.
“Demand for plant-based products is outpacing all other food categories,” said Zack Bishti, co-founder and CEO of Neat Burger. “We want to make them part of people’s everyday lives – and not just vegans, but people who want to eat less meat overall because it’s better for their health and better for the environment.”
Neat Burger has nine restaurant sites in the UK and US. It said the products planned for its move into retail and DTC would cover the fresh and ambient formats.
“We are the only plant-based food group with restaurants at our heart, and armed with customer feedback our in-house food tech team are able to control all aspects of the development and production process,” added Bishti.
All of Neat Burger’s plant-based products are suitable for vegans and are allergen and GMO-free.
Multiple F1 world champion Hamilton backed the food group in 2019 with financial investment ahead of its first London opening.
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