What Louisville Vegan Jerky does

Louisville Vegan Jerky, operating commercially as Louisville Jerky Co. (LJCO), is a Louisville, Kentucky-based food production company that manufactures plant-based jerky using textured soy protein formulations certified gluten-free, Non-GMO, nut-free, and vegan (Alpha Gal safe). Founded in 2012 by Stanley Chase III after an accidental overcooking of a vegan manapua recipe, the company has developed a portfolio of approximately 20 distinct flavors spanning a core Classics line (Smoky Carolina BBQ, Smoked Black Pepper, Maple Bacon, Pepperoni Pizza, Buffalo Hot Wing, General Tso's) and a rotating Small Batch line featuring international and novelty flavors such as Butter Chicken, Nashville Hot Chicken, Sweet & Sour Pork, Korean Gochujang, and Kentucky Future Chicken II. The company also recently introduced Road Stick, a pea-protein-based plant-based meat stick line, and Toppins' Bacon Bits as a topping product.

The business operates a Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) e-commerce model through a Shopify-powered storefront at lvjco.com, supplemented by the Jerky Club subscription (10% recurring discount, monthly cadence with early Small Batch access), gift card sales ($25/$50/$100 denominations), and themed bundles. Wholesale distribution is conducted through the Faire marketplace and direct sales outreach, with emerging UNFI distribution for broader retail reach. Marketing relies on organic social (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook), paid acquisition (Meta, Google, TikTok), email/SMS via Klaviyo, a Jerky-Points loyalty program, and earned media from coverage in VegNews, Vice, The Washington Post, Women's Health, and Leo Weekly. Aggregate customer rating stands at 4.6/5 across 1,759 Judge.me verified reviews, with multiple products holding Gold Authentic Shop and Diamond Transparent Shop medals.

In June 2023 the company closed a $2,000,000 funding round led by Render Capital, becoming a portfolio company of Render Capital Fund 1. In September 2025 it was acquired by Louisville Brands, a regional CPG holding company, with the strategic intent of leveraging Louisville's logistics and consumer ecosystem to scale the brand nationally. The company employs 11–50 people and remains privately held under Louisville Brands' ownership.

Name

Louisville Vegan Jerky

Legal name

Louisville Jerky Company

Website

https://lvjco.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Louisville Vegan Jerky (Louisville Jerky Co.) is a Louisville, Kentucky-based food company that produces plant-based jerky from textured soy protein across 15+ flavors, selling DTC via Shopify, through a Jerky Club subscription, and wholesale via Faire. Founded 2012; acquired by Louisville Brands in September 2025.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Plant-Based Snacks

SIC

Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Jerky & Meat Snacks (CRADABAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Plant-Based & Alternative Proteins (Packaged) (CRADAAAH), Jerky & Meat Snacks Manufacturing (AFAKAIAH)

Keywords

• Vegan jerky snacks
• Plant-based meat snacks
• Vegan protein snacks
• Plant-based jerky
• Vegan snack foods

Headquarters

HQ city

Louisville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct-to-Consumer E-commerce: Online sales through owned storefront (lvjco.com) where customers purchase individual bags, bundles, and subscription plans. Single bags range $7–$8; bundles $21–$100; subscription model offers 10% recurring discount. Shipping is free for orders $49+. Shopify-powered checkout with multiple payment options.
2. Wholesale / B2B: Bulk wholesale orders placed through Faire marketplace and direct sales ([email protected]). Targets boutique and independent retailers. Ordering and shipping designed to stock shelves within two weeks.
3. Gift Cards: Digital and physical gift cards sold in $25, $50, and $100 denominations, providing float revenue and driving new customer acquisition.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Louisville Vegan Jerky (Louisville Jerky Co.) manufactures and sells plant-based vegan jerky products made primarily from textured soy protein, certified gluten-free, non-GMO, nut-free, and produced in a dedicated vegan facility. The company offers a portfolio of classic flavors, rotating small-batch limited editions, meat sticks, bacon bits toppings, themed bundles, and a monthly Jerky Club subscription, sold primarily direct-to-consumer through lvjco.com and wholesale through boutique retailers via Faire.

Product overview

Louisville Jerky Co. (Louisville Vegan Jerky Co.) is a plant-based jerky company offering a diverse portfolio of vegan snack products. The core product lineup consists of six classic best-selling jerky flavors (Smoky Carolina BBQ, Smoked Black Pepper, Maple Bacon, Pepperoni Pizza, Buffalo Hot Wing, General Tso's) alongside a rotating selection of small batch limited-edition flavors (Nashville Hot Chicken, Sweet & Sour Pork, Cajun Chicken, Butter Chicken, Cheddar Jalapeño Popper, Jamaican Jerk, Neil Hamburger Jerky, Bourbon BBQ, Loaded Nachos, Mandarin Glazed Chicken, Kentucky Future Chicken II, Sweet & Spicy Gochujang). The portfolio also includes Toppins' Bacon Bits as a topping/add-on product and Road Stick plant-based meat sticks. Products are sold through multiple channels including direct-to-consumer bundles (Build Your Own Bundle, themed bundles like Road Trip, Camp Jerky, Movie Marathon, Big Game Bites), subscription service (Jerky Club), wholesale distribution via Faire, and gift products (Gift Cards, Snacktion Set). The company uses textured soy protein as the primary ingredient across all jerky products and emphasizes non-GMO, gluten-free, nut-free, and vegan certifications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Smoky Carolina BBQ Vegan Jerky Classic vegan jerky with mustard tang, brown sugar, and cayenne kick; best-selling flavor with a robust smoky profile, sold to consumers seeking plant-based jerky.
• Smoked Black Pepper Vegan Jerky Classic vegan jerky that is salty, meaty, and robust with hints of sweetness, subtly spiced with black pepper, nutmeg, garlic, and onion.
• Maple Bacon Vegan Jerky Vegan bacon-style jerky combining maple syrup with tender, smoky morsels for a breakfast-inspired flavor.
• Pepperoni Pizza Vegan Jerky Vegan jerky with herbs and spices capturing the taste of pepperoni pizza in a gluten-free and cholesterol-free formulation.
• Buffalo Hot Wing Vegan Jerky Vegan jerky with buffalo wing flavor featuring slow-cooked buttery sauce and spicy tang, designed to be dipped in ranch.
• General Tso's Vegan Jerky Asian-inspired vegan jerky with sweet soy, vinegar, and chili flavors reminiscent of takeout General Tso's dish.
• Nashville Hot Chicken Vegan Jerky Small batch spicy vegan jerky with bold umami chicken-like flavor, hot sauce kick, and brown sugar sweetness.
• Sweet & Sour Pork Vegan Jerky Asian-inspired jerky with garlic, onion, ginger, tomatoes, and sweet and sour notes.
• Cajun Chicken Vegan Jerky Small batch jerky featuring Louisiana-style spices with savory chicken-like seasoning and a balanced Cajun kick.
• Butter Chicken Vegan Jerky Small batch jerky inspired by Indian cuisine with warm turmeric, garam masala, fenugreek, tomato paste, garlic, and lemon.
• Cheddar Jalapeño Popper Vegan Jerky Zesty jalapeño and creamy cheddar cheese blend captured in bite-size jerky form.
• Jamaican Jerk Vegan Jerky Small batch jerky with jerk seasoning including habanero powder, pineapple juice, lemon, and Caribbean spices.
• Neil Hamburger Vegan Jerky Humorous small batch jerky inspired by comedian Neil Hamburger, featuring ketchup, mustard, and pickle flavors.
• Bourbon BBQ Vegan Jerky Summer BBQ-inspired vegan jerky capturing warmth of slow-smoked tradition with bourbon notes.
• Loaded Nachos Vegan Jerky Small batch jerky with all the spices of loaded nachos including beefy nachos, cheese, jalapeños, and fajita-inspired flavors.
• Mandarin Glazed Chicken Vegan Jerky Asian-inspired vegan jerky with garlic, ginger, and sweet citrus flavors evoking warm summer takeout.
• Kentucky Future Chicken II Vegan Jerky Kentucky-inspired chicken-style vegan jerky with a savory seasoning blend.
• Sweet & Spicy Gochujang Vegan Jerky Korean-inspired vegan jerky with gochujang paste, tapioca syrup, and red pepper heat balanced with sweetness.
• Toppins' Bacon Bits Plant-based bacon bits seasoning for use on pizza, salads, potatoes, breakfast dishes, and more.
• Road Stick Plant-Based Meat Sticks Plant-based meat sticks made from peas with 5 grams protein per stick in Bold Smokehouse flavor, designed for on-the-go snacking.
• Build Your Own Bundle Customizable jerky bundle allowing customers to mix and match flavors with 5% off for 5+ packs and 10% off for 10+ packs; minimum 3 items required.
• All 6 Main Flavors Bundle Bundle containing all six classic best-selling flavors: Smoked Black Pepper, Maple Bacon, General Tso's, Buffalo Hot Wing, Pepperoni Pizza, and Carolina BBQ.
• Road Trip Bundle Travel-themed bundle featuring on-the-road jerky flavors: Smoked Black Pepper, Buffalo Hot Wing, and Maple Bacon.
• Camp Jerky Bundle Outdoor adventure bundle including Maple Bacon, Smoked Black Pepper, and Smoky Carolina BBQ.
• Movie Marathon Munchies Bundle Snack bundle designed for movie watching occasions.
• Big Game Bites Bundle Sports-themed bundle with game-day favorite flavors: Buffalo Hot Wing, Pepperoni Pizza, and Smoky Carolina BBQ.
• Starter Snack Pack Introductory snack bundle priced at $34.99 for new customers exploring the brand.
• Snacktion Set Gift Box Collectible gift box with retro gaming theme and multiple jerky flavors, includes collectible box and extras; priced at $69.99.
• Gift Card Digital gift cards available in $25, $50, and $100 denominations allowing recipients to choose their own flavors.
• Jerky Club Subscription Monthly delivery subscription service offering 10% off every order, early access to Small Batch flavors, exclusive merch access, and surprise freebies with customizable delivery schedules.
• Wholesale Program Wholesale ordering program available through Faire marketplace and direct sales ([email protected]) for boutique stores to carry Louisville Jerky products, with shelves stockable within approximately two weeks of order placement.

Quantifiable outcome

• Average customer rating of 4.6/5 based on 1,759 verified reviews across all products
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Louisville BrandscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 September 2025Louisville Brands acquired Louisville Vegan Jerky in September 2025 with the goal of leveraging Louisville's logistics infrastructure and regional consumer ecosystem to scale the brand nationally. This acquisition represents the company's primary path to expanded retail distribution.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of KentuckianaminorOthersLouisville Jerky Co. is a proud sponsor of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana, supporting youth mentorship programs in the local Louisville community. This is a charitable/community sponsorship relationship.
• Shopify Inc.coreTechnology or IntegrationShopify Inc. hosts and powers the company's e-commerce storefront (lvjco.com), processing personal data for order fulfillment, analytics, fraud prevention, and checkout. Shopify's platform underpins all DTC revenue, subscriptions, and customer accounts.
• KlaviyocoreTechnology or IntegrationKlaviyo is used as the email marketing automation platform for newsletters, promotional campaigns, and subscription communications. Combined with SMS marketing via the Jerky Hotline, Klaviyo powers the brand's owned audience channel.
• FairecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFaire is the wholesale marketplace through which independent boutique retailers order Louisville Jerky Co. products. Faire enables small retailers to discover and stock the brand, with the company stating shelves can be stocked within two weeks.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Primal Strips: Primal Strips is a long-standing plant-based jerky/snack strips brand offering meat-style alternatives using soy and wheat protein. It is the closest direct competitor to Louisville Vegan Jerky in the vegan jerky category, competing for the same vegan and flexitarian consumers.
• Wild Zora: Wild Zora makes premium meat-and-fruit jerky snacks, including a popular plant-based line using natural ingredients. It competes with Louisville Vegan Jerky in the clean-label, paleo-friendly jerky segment and shares overlap in DTC and specialty retail distribution.
• The New Primal: The New Primal produces clean-label meat sticks and jerky, with a growing plant-based line. Comparable to Louisville Vegan Jerky in product format (sticks/jerky), distribution mix (DTC + grocery), and target health-conscious consumer.
• Perky Jerky: Perky Jerky is a premium meat jerky brand with a plant-based product line, selling through DTC and mass retail. Comparable to Louisville Vegan Jerky in jerky category, packaging format, and impulse-snack retail placement strategy.
• Be-Her's Plant-Based Jerky: Be-Her's is a plant-based jerky brand founded in Brooklyn, NY, offering globally-inspired flavors (Korean BBQ, Hoisin, Spicy Sichuan). Closely comparable to Louisville Vegan Jerky in format, flavor innovation approach, and target vegan/flexitarian consumer.

Broad incumbents

• Country Archer Provisions: Country Archer Provisions is a larger, established meat jerky brand distributed nationally through grocery and club channels. Comparable to Louisville Vegan Jerky in core product format (jerky) and incremental plant-based innovation, but operates at significantly greater scale and broader category focus.
• Beyond Meat: Beyond Meat is a publicly-traded plant-based meat leader that previously offered a plant-based jerky line (discontinued). It shares consumer overlap with Louisville Vegan Jerky and validates the broader plant-based protein category, though operates at vastly greater scale with a much broader product portfolio.

Emerging players

• No Evil Foods: No Evil Foods produces plant-based meats (Comrade Cluck, Italian Sausage) with an emphasis on natural ingredients and DIY jerky kits. Adjacent to Louisville Vegan Jerky in the plant-based protein space with overlapping health-conscious consumer base, though broader in product format.
• Abbot's Butcher: Abbot's Butcher makes plant-based deli slices, ground meats, and chorizo using whole-food proteins. Comparable to Louisville Vegan Jerky in plant-based positioning and clean-label philosophy, but focuses on meal-components rather than snack-jerky format.

Others

• Louisville Brands: Louisville Brands is the parent operating company that acquired Louisville Vegan Jerky in September 2025. Not a peer competitor but an adjacent/strategic owner providing distribution and consumer ecosystem leverage to scale the brand.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Louisvilleveganjerkycompany
• Instagraminstagram.com/louveganjerky
• TikToktiktok.com/@louveganjerky
• Xx.com/louveganjerky
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/louisville-vegan-jerky-co.-l.l.c.

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Louisville Vegan Jerky