Borealis Foods
Borealis Foods is a U.S. food technology company that develops and manufactures plant-based, high-protein ramen products under the Chef Woo, Ramen Express, and Woodles brands, selling through 30,000+ retail points in the U.S. and Canada and serving K-12 foodservice and humanitarian aid markets.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersOakville, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Borealis Foods does
Borealis Foods Inc. is a U.S.-headquartered food technology company founded in 2019 that develops and commercializes functional, high-protein, plant-based ramen products under three brands: Chef Woo (premium plant-based ramen delivering 20g of complete protein per serving), Ramen Express (accessible better-for-you ramen made in the U.S.A. with no MSG, no animal byproducts, and recyclable paper-cup packaging), and Woodles (the nation's first whole grain-rich ramen designed for K-12 school foodservice). All products are manufactured exclusively at its wholly-owned Palmetto Gourmet Foods subsidiary in Saluda, South Carolina—a 200,000+ sq. ft. facility capable of producing 1,800 meals per minute (600 million meals per year) and holding BRC AA+ food safety certification. Underlying technology is proprietary food science for protein formulation, nutrient bioavailability optimization, and shelf-stable packaging, supported by multiple dietary certifications (vegan, kosher, halal, non-GMO, RSPO-certified palm oil) and third-party validation from the University of Michigan's Center for Sustainable Systems.
The company generates revenue primarily through consumer packaged goods (CPG) sales distributed across more than 30,000 retail points in the U.S. and Canada—including Walmart (primary partner, with an exclusive Gordon Ramsay co-developed SKU), Costco, Aldi, Amazon (2M+ units sold as of November 2024), and eight named regional grocery chains (Hy-Vee, Publix, Meijer, Wegmans, ShopRite, Save Mart, Raley's)—supplemented by dedicated K-12 foodservice revenue through Woodles and humanitarian relief sales. Go-to-market blends mass retail distribution, brand amplification via a 2024 culinary partnership with Gordon Ramsay, and earned media coverage (e.g., a New York Times feature on Woodles in September 2025). Borealis is publicly listed on NASDAQ under ticker BRLS, led by co-founder/CEO Reza Soltanzadeh (MD by training, 28+ years in food sciences, former CEO of IIIC Investment Group) and co-founder/Chairman Barthelemy Helg (former VP M&A at Nestlé, Managing Partner of Lombard Odier, Global Head of Investment Banking at Goldman Sachs).
The company has raised $42 million in senior debt across two facilities ($25M from FrontWell Capital Partners in October 2023 and $17M from Oxus Capital in April 2026 to refinance the prior facility) and faces material financial stress, including persistent multi-million net losses, repeated prior defaults under the FrontWell credit agreement, and Nasdaq deficiency notices for delayed SEC filings—context that materially shapes its ability to fund the announced European expansion and broader growth ambitions.
Borealis Foods firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Borealis Foods
- Legal name
- Borealis Foods Inc.
- Website
- https://borealisfoods.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Borealis Foods is a U.S. food technology company that develops and manufactures plant-based, high-protein ramen products under the Chef Woo, Ramen Express, and Woodles brands, selling through 30,000+ retail points in the U.S. and Canada and serving K-12 foodservice and humanitarian aid markets.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Borealis Foods industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Instant Noodles / Packaged Functional Foods
- NAICS
- Cookie, Cracker, and Pasta Manufacturing (31182), Food Manufacturing (311)
- SIC
- Food And Kindred Products (2000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Noodle Manufacturing (instant, ramen, rice noodles) (AFAKABAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Plant-Based Prepared Meals & Convenience Foods Manufacturing (AFAKAGAL)
Keywords
Where Borealis Foods is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Oakville
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Borealis Foods business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) Product Sales: Borealis Foods generates revenue primarily through the sale of its branded ready-to-eat ramen products (Chef Woo, Ramen Express) and foodservice products (Woodles) to consumers via retail chains and e-commerce platforms. Products are sold as shelf-stable, packaged meals at accessible price points.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels6 records
Borealis Foods product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Borealis Foods develops, manufactures, and sells high-protein, plant-based, shelf-stable ramen noodle meals under three primary brands (Chef Woo, Ramen Express, and Woodles). All products are manufactured at the company's wholly-owned Palmetto Gourmet Foods facility in Saluda, South Carolina, and distributed through major retail chains (Walmart, Costco, Aldi), Amazon, K-12 foodservice programs, and humanitarian relief organizations.
Product overview
Borealis Foods is a U.S.-based food science company developing functional, nutrient-rich ramen products through multiple brand portfolios. The core offerings include Chef Woo (premium plant-based, high-protein ramen), Ramen Express (accessible better-for-you ramen), and Woodles K-12 (whole grain-rich ramen for school foodservice). All products are manufactured by the company's wholly-owned subsidiary Palmetto Gourmet Foods in South Carolina and are distributed across major U.S. and Canadian retailers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Chef Woo: Plant-based, high-protein ramen brand providing 20 grams of complete protein per serving, crafted in the USA. Certified plant-based, vegan, kosher, and halal.
- Ramen Express
- Woodles
Products and services
- Chef Woo Chef Woo is a plant-based, high-protein ramen brand providing 20 grams of complete protein per serving. It is crafted in the USA, certified vegan, kosher, and halal, made with organic ramen noodles, palm-oil free, and prepared in microwavable recyclable paper cups. Available in flavors such as Roasted Chicken, Beef, and Lime, it targets health-conscious consumers seeking nutritious and convenient meals.
- Ramen Express Ramen Express is a better-for-you premium ramen brand made 100% in the USA with plant-based ingredients, no animal byproducts, no added MSG, and recyclable paper cups. Available in Chicken, Beef, Spicy, Lime, and Spicy Shrimp flavors and prepared in 3 minutes, it targets mainstream consumers looking for affordable better-for-you instant noodles.
- Woodles K-12
Quantifiable outcome
- University of Michigan lifecycle study found Chef Woo outperforms beef in all environmental impact categories and performs as well as or better than pork or chicken, except in land use.
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Borealis Foods
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Borealis Foods technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Borealis Foods partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- The New York TimesminorThe New York Times featured Woodles in an article titled 'What's New in School Lunchrooms: Less Sugar, More From Scratch' in September 2025, providing earned media coverage for the Woodles brand and school foodservice products.
- Gordon RamsaycoreGordon Ramsay partnered with Borealis Foods to co-develop new products under the Chef Woo brand, supercharging the company's mission of crafting sustainable, wholesome, and budget-friendly food. The collaboration involves creative product development in the test kitchen, expanding the Chef Woo Culinary Universe. A notable outcome was the launch of Ramen Noodles by Chef Ramsay crafted by Master Chef Gordon Ramsay at Walmart.
- University of Michigan — Center for Sustainable SystemsminorThe Center for Sustainable Systems at the University of Michigan conducted a lifecycle study comparing the environmental performance of Chef Woo ramen noodles against beef, pork, chicken, and plant-based burgers. The study validated that Chef Woo outperforms beef in all environmental impact categories.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Borealis Foods competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Thai Kitchen: Plant-based Thai rice noodle and meal products with mainstream U.S. retail distribution. Direct overlap with Borealis's better-for-you, plant-based ramen positioning in grocery channels.
- Mike's Mighty Good Ramen: Craft instant ramen brand emphasizing quality ingredients and premium positioning. Closely comparable business model to Borealis's Chef Woo with similar retail and DTC channel strategy.
- Nissin Foods: Global leader in instant ramen (Cup Noodles, Top Ramen) with massive scale, broad distribution, and dominant market share. Most directly comparable peer given Borealis competes head-to-head in the instant ramen category.
- Maruchan: Major U.S. instant ramen brand owned by Toyo Suisan with deep retail penetration across Walmart, Costco, and grocery channels. Direct competitor on shelf in the same category Borealis targets.
- Lotus Foods: Plant-based rice noodle brand emphasizing sustainability and better-for-you positioning. Closely aligned with Borealis's mission-driven, plant-based, sustainable instant noodle value proposition.
- Dr. McDougall's Right Foods: Plant-based instant soup and noodle cups marketed on health and convenience. Overlaps directly with Chef Woo and Ramen Express on plant-based, microwavable, shelf-stable format and retail distribution.
- Annie Chun's: Pan-Asian noodle and meal brand with broad retail presence and plant-based positioning. Competes in the same shelf-stable, quick-prep Asian noodle category with similar target consumers.
Emerging players
- Koya: Plant-based Japanese udon and ramen brand focused on clean-label, whole-food ingredients. Emerging player in the better-for-you instant noodle niche that competes for similar health-conscious consumers.
Broad incumbents
- Nestlé (Maggi): Global packaged food giant whose Maggi brand dominates instant noodles internationally. Broad incumbent with vastly larger resources that competes in the same core instant noodle category.
- Beyond Meat: Plant-based protein leader with established retail distribution and brand awareness in the plant-based category. Adjacent competitor pursuing the same health-conscious and sustainability-minded consumer as Borealis.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Borealis Foods social profiles
Digital presenceBorealis Foods compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance8 records
Borealis Foods financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Borealis Foods leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Borealis Foods subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Borealis Foods funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Borealis Foods M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Borealis Foods
What does Borealis Foods do?
Borealis Foods develops, manufactures, and sells high-protein, plant-based, shelf-stable ramen noodle meals under three primary brands (Chef Woo, Ramen Express, and Woodles). All products are manufactured at the company's wholly-owned Palmetto Gourmet Foods facility in Saluda, South Carolina, and distributed through major retail chains (Walmart, Costco, Aldi), Amazon, K-12 foodservice programs, and humanitarian relief organizations.
Is Borealis Foods a public or private company?
Borealis Foods is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Borealis Foods founded?
Borealis Foods was founded in 2019. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Borealis Foods based?
Borealis Foods is headquartered in Oakville, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Borealis Foods make money?
One revenue line is on record: consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) Product Sales.
Who are Borealis Foods's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Thai Kitchen, Mike's Mighty Good Ramen, Nissin Foods, Maruchan, Lotus Foods, Dr. McDougall's Right Foods and Annie Chun's. Koya is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Nestlé (Maggi) and Beyond Meat.
Does Borealis Foods have an API?
No public API is recorded for Borealis Foods.
What industry is Borealis Foods in?
Borealis Foods's product category is Instant Noodles / Packaged Functional Foods. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAKABAC, Noodle Manufacturing (instant, ramen, rice noodles), with a secondary code of AFAKAGAL, Plant-Based Prepared Meals & Convenience Foods Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 31182 and its SIC code is 2000.