PepsiCo expands presence in plant-based foods

PepsiCo announced recently that it has acquired Health Warrior, Inc., a U.S.-based nutrition company that makes plant-based bars, spoonable mug muffins, and protein/energy drink powders.

“We continue to position ourselves at the forefront of changing consumer preferences and trends. This acquisition helps us increase our presence in the nutrition bar category, which is an attractive growth space,” said Al Carey, CEO of PepsiCo North America.

Health Warrior was founded in 2011 by a group of college friends, Dan Gluck, Nick Morris and current CEO Shane Emmett, who wanted to make nutrient-dense foods more accessible to more Americans. It makes products that contain plant-based superfood ingredients and are lower in sugar. Health Warrior products are made from nutrient-dense, nonGMO and gluten-free ingredients. Its current offerings include nutrition bars made with chia and pumpkin seeds, and other plant-based protein offerings like mug muffins and protein powder. 

Health Warrior represents PepsiCo’s first investment that will become part of The PepsiCo HIVE, a newly-created entity within the company focused on growing emerging, smaller brands. “This will enable us to continue building the Health Warrior brand at a deliberate and sustainable pace and to leverage its entrepreneurial expertise and talent to benefit our broader portfolio,” said Seth Kaufman, president of PepsiCo North America Nutrition, who oversees The HIVE.