Hot Dog! The Kraft Heinz Not Company Launches First-Ever, Plant-Based Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs and Sausages

Rhea-AI Summary

The Kraft Heinz Not Company debuts plant-based Oscar Mayer NotHotDogs and NotSausages, aiming to fill a gap in the underdeveloped plant-based meat market. The joint venture combines Kraft Heinz's legacy with NotCo's AI technology to offer savory and smoky alternatives. The launch responds to the growing demand for delicious plant-based options, leveraging the projected $19 billion US plant-based market by 2030.

Market Research Analyst

The introduction of Oscar Mayer NotHotDogs and NotSausages by The Kraft Heinz Not Company represents a strategic move to capture a share of the burgeoning plant-based meat market, which is anticipated to more than double in size by 2030. This expansion into plant-based offerings could potentially diversify revenue streams and attract a new customer segment, particularly those interested in alternative protein sources.

From a market perspective, the success of these products hinges on their ability to overcome the taste and texture challenges that currently limit the plant-based hot dog and sausage market. If consumer acceptance is high, Kraft Heinz could see an uptick in market share within this niche, possibly impacting its stock valuation positively. Conversely, failure to meet consumer expectations could result in a negligible effect or even a slight negative impact on the company's performance in this new category.

Financial Analyst

Investors should note the potential financial implications of Kraft Heinz's foray into the plant-based sector. The initial investment and marketing costs associated with launching Oscar Mayer's plant-based products will likely affect short-term earnings. However, if these products gain traction, there could be a positive impact on the long-term earnings growth of the company.

Moreover, the strategic partnership with NotCo, leveraging their AI technology, indicates a focus on innovation and efficiency in product development. This collaboration could lead to cost savings and a faster go-to-market strategy for future plant-based products, potentially enhancing Kraft Heinz's competitive edge in the rapidly evolving food industry.

Sustainability Analyst

The shift towards plant-based products also reflects a growing consumer demand for sustainable and ethical food choices. As environmental concerns become increasingly important to consumers, companies like Kraft Heinz that invest in sustainable product lines may benefit from enhanced brand reputation and customer loyalty.

However, the environmental impact of the production of these plant-based options compared to traditional meat products will be a critical factor for some consumers. The company's ability to communicate the environmental benefits of their plant-based products effectively could play a significant role in their market success and, by extension, their financial performance.

The new innovations mark the joint venture’s highly anticipated debut in the plant-based meat category

PITTSBURGH & CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, The Kraft Heinz Not Company LLC debuted NotHotDogs and NotSausages, the first ever plant-based Oscar Mayer offerings and the first plant-based meat innovation from the joint venture between The Kraft Heinz Company (Nasdaq: KHC) (“Kraft Heinz”) and TheNotCompany, Inc. (“NotCo”). With its mission to create mouthwatering plant-based foods for all, The Kraft Heinz Not Company’s Oscar Mayer NotHotDogs and NotSausages offer the savory and smoky experience that brand fans have known and loved for more than 140 years.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240306594561/en/

The Kraft Heinz Not Company debuts Oscar Mayer NotHotDogs and NotSausages. (Photo: Business Wire)

The United States plant-based market is projected to skyrocket from $8.3 billion in 2023 to $19 billion by 2030.¹ However, plant-based hot dogs and dinner sausage links remain underdeveloped and under-consumed within the broader plant-based meat category,¹ largely due to disappointment in existing offerings’ taste and texture.² With Oscar Mayer NotHotDogs and NotSausages – available in Bratwurst and Italian sausage flavors – The Kraft Heinz Not Company aims to deliver on these needs and consumers’ evolving preference in the plant-based space.

“At The Kraft Heinz Not Company, our goal is to create mouthwatering, plant-based foods that are delicious and accessible for everyone – from the devoted vegan to the plant-based curious,” says Lucho Lopez-May, CEO, The Kraft Heinz Not Company. “We know people are hungry for plant-based meat options from brands they know and trust. In launching the joint venture’s first product in the plant-based meat category, we saw an opportunity to satisfy these consumer cravings, leveraging NotCo’s revolutionary AI technology and the power, equity, and legacy of the Oscar Mayer brand.”

The launch of Oscar Mayer NotHotDogs and NotSausages is the latest example of The Kraft Heinz Not Company’s ambition to bring great-tasting plant-based innovations to market faster than ever before. Further, the launch marks another exciting step in the joint venture’s continued expansion of its plant-based portfolio, which includes KRAFT NotMac&Cheese, KRAFT NotCheese Slices, and NotMayo. Looking to the year ahead, The Kraft Heinz Not Company plans to scale into additional categories and recently began its international expansion.

Oscar Mayer NotHotDogs and NotSausages offer fans the smoky, savory taste, meaty color, and thick, juicy bite they are craving in plant-based alternatives. The new innovations will debut at Expo West (booth #N1732) from March 12 – March 16 and are set to begin rolling out in major retailers nationwide later in 2024.

For more information and to stay up to date on all things Kraft Heinz, Oscar Mayer, and NotCo, follow along on Instagram (@kraftheinz, @oscarmayer, @NotCoUS) and TikTok (@hereatkraftheinz, @oscarmayer, @NotCoUS).

¹Research and Markets, United States Plant Based Food Market, Size, Forecast 2024-2030, Industry Trends, Growth, Share, Outlook, Impact of Inflation, Opportunity Company Analysis, January 2024
²AMC Global - Flexitarian Quantitative Research, December 2023

About The Kraft Heinz Company

We are driving transformation at The Kraft Heinz Company (Nasdaq: KHC), inspired by our Purpose, Let’s Make Life Delicious. Consumers are at the center of everything we do. With 2023 net sales of approximately $27 billion, we are committed to growing our iconic and emerging food and beverage brands on a global scale. We leverage our scale and agility to unleash the full power of Kraft Heinz across a portfolio of six consumer-driven product platforms. As global citizens, we’re dedicated to making a sustainable, ethical impact while helping feed the world in healthy, responsible ways. Learn more about our journey by visiting www.kraftheinzcompany.com or following us on LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240306594561/en/

THE KRAFT HEINZ COMPANY

Alexandra Lieberman

Alexandra.Lieberman@kraftheinz.com



Allison Naval

Allison.Naval@kraftheinz.com



ALISON BROD MARKETING + COMMUNICATIONS

kraftheinz@abmc-us.com

Source: The Kraft Heinz Company

What products did The Kraft Heinz Not Company debut in the plant-based meat category?

The Kraft Heinz Not Company debuted NotHotDogs and NotSausages, the first-ever plant-based Oscar Mayer offerings.

What is the ticker symbol for The Kraft Heinz Company?

The ticker symbol for The Kraft Heinz Company is KHC.

What flavors are available for Oscar Mayer NotHotDogs and NotSausages?

Oscar Mayer NotHotDogs and NotSausages are available in Bratwurst and Italian sausage flavors.

Where can fans experience the new plant-based innovations first-hand?

The new innovations will debut at Expo West (booth #N1732) from March 12 – March 16.

When will Oscar Mayer NotHotDogs and NotSausages be available in major retailers nationwide?

Oscar Mayer NotHotDogs and NotSausages are set to begin rolling out in major retailers nationwide later in 2024.