Daring Foods
Daring Foods is a Los Angeles-based plant-based chicken manufacturer selling soy-protein chicken analogs across retail (Walmart, Albertsons, 4,500+ stores), foodservice distributors, and online channels, serving flexitarian and restaurant operators. Acquired by v2food in April 2026.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Daring Foods does
Daring Foods is a Los Angeles-based plant-based protein company that manufactures and sells chicken analogs made primarily from soy protein concentrate, natural flavors, and a short ingredient deck. The company sells unbreaded Plant Chicken Pieces (Original, Cajun, Teriyaki), Breaded and Buffalo Wings, microwavable Diced and Shredded SKUs, frozen entrée bowls including co-branded SKUs with Fly by Jing, and dedicated foodservice cuts (strips and patties) for restaurant operators. All products are Kosher- and Halal-certified and positioned as 1:1 cooking substitutes for chicken across sauté, air-fry, bake, and microwave methods.
Daring generates revenue through one-time product sales across three channels: retail grocery (Walmart in 3,000+ stores, Albertsons nationwide, and other grocers totaling 4,500+ stores), foodservice distributors supplying restaurants and cafeterias in bulk 5-10 lb cases, and direct/online ordering through daring.com and delivery platforms. The company raised over $120M across Series A (2020), B ($40M led by D1 Capital in May 2021), and C ($65M led by Founders Fund in October 2021), with celebrity investors Drake, Naomi Osaka, and Steve Aoki participating. The brand self-claims the #1 unbreaded plant chicken position in the US and markets on a clean-label, sustainability proposition (82% less water, 74% less land, 88% fewer CO2 emissions versus animal chicken). In April 2026, Daring was acquired by v2food, an Asia-Pacific-rooted plant-based brand owned by consumer conglomerate Rhee Brothers Inc., as part of broader consolidation in a US plant-based meat market that contracted approximately 10% to $1B in 2025.
Daring Foods firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Daring Foods
- Legal name
- Daring Foods Inc.
- Website
- https://daring.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Daring Foods is a Los Angeles-based plant-based chicken manufacturer selling soy-protein chicken analogs across retail (Walmart, Albertsons, 4,500+ stores), foodservice distributors, and online channels, serving flexitarian and restaurant operators. Acquired by v2food in April 2026.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Daring Foods industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Plant-based Meat Alternatives
- NAICS
- Food Manufacturing (311)
- SIC
- Canned, Frozen & Preservd Fruit, Veg & Food Specialties (2030), Food And Kindred Products (2000), Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Plant-Based Poultry Alternatives (Analog Chicken/Turkey) (AFANAKAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Finished Meat-Alternative Prepared Foods (Nuggets, Burgers, Sausages, Ready Meals) (AFANAKAO), Frozen Meat & Poultry Meals & Value-Added Proteins (CRADADAH), Ready-to-Eat/Ready-to-Heat Poultry Meals & Components (Meal Kits, Fully Cooked Items) (AFANACAG)
Keywords
Where Daring Foods is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Daring Foods business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Retail Product Sales: Daring generates revenue through direct sales of its plant-based chicken products to consumers through major retail grocery chains including Walmart, Albertsons, and other major grocery stores. Products are sold as refrigerated and frozen items.
- Foodservice/B2B Sales: Sales to restaurants, cafeterias, and other foodservice operators through distributor relationships. Products are sold in bulk packaging (5-10 lb cases) to commercial foodservice operations.
- Online/Direct Sales: Products available for purchase through delivery services and online platforms. Company operates e-commerce through daring.com.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Retail packaged products (8oz packages) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Daring Foods product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Daring Foods manufactures and sells plant-based chicken analog products made primarily from soy protein concentrate with natural flavors and spices. The portfolio includes unbreaded pieces in Original, Cajun, and Teriyaki flavors; Breaded and Buffalo Wings; microwavable Diced and Shredded varieties; and frozen entrée bowls. A separate bulk-packaged foodservice line supplies strips and patties to restaurants and cafeterias.
Product overview
Daring Foods is a plant-based chicken company offering a portfolio of products centered on plant chicken alternatives. The core product line consists of unbreaded Plant Chicken Pieces available in Original, Cajun, and Teriyaki flavors, plus Breaded and Buffalo Wings. The company recently launched microwavable Diced and Shredded varieties for convenient home preparation. Frozen entrée bowls (Penne Primavera, Fly By Jing Chili Crisp, Teriyaki, Queso Burrito, and Buffalo Mac & Cheese) extend the product line with ready-to-heat meals. Foodservice offerings include unbreaded and breaded strips and patties for restaurant operators. All products are plant-based with soy protein as the primary ingredient.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Original Plant Chicken Pieces The flagship unbreaded plant chicken product made from soy protein concentrate with a short ingredient list of water, soy protein concentrate, vegetable oil, salt, natural flavor, and spices. Designed as a 1:1 swap for chicken across cooking methods.
- Cajun Plant Chicken Pieces Plant-based chicken pieces seasoned with a Cajun spice blend including paprika, chili flakes, cumin, chili powder, oregano, and thyme.
- Teriyaki Plant Chicken Pieces Sweet and savory teriyaki-flavored plant chicken pieces with garlic and ginger notes, intended for Asian-inspired dishes.
- Breaded Plant Chicken Wings Golden, crunchy gluten-free breaded plant chicken wings with a tender interior.
Quantifiable outcome
- 82% less water usage compared to animal chicken
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Daring Foods
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Daring Foods technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Daring Foods partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- v2foodcoreDaring Foods was acquired by v2food as part of continued consolidation in the plant-based sector. v2food is owned by consumer conglomerate Rhee Brothers Inc.
- Fly by JingminorCollaboration to create the Fly By Jing Chili Crisp Plant Chicken Bowl featuring Sichuan Chili Crisp sauce, combining Daring's plant chicken with Fly by Jing's signature condiment.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Daring Foods competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Beyond Meat: Largest US plant-based meat company selling plant-based chicken, beef, and pork analogs through similar retail and foodservice channels. Direct competitor across the same shelf sets at Walmart and Albertsons.
- Impossible Foods: Plant-based meat manufacturer with chicken and beef analogs distributed in US retail and foodservice. Competes head-to-head with Daring in plant-based protein at grocery and restaurant operators.
- Quorn: Mycoprotein-based meat alternative brand selling chicken-style products across US retail and foodservice. Direct substitute for Daring's plant-based chicken in the unbreaded and breaded categories.
Broad incumbents
- Tyson Foods: Largest US poultry processor with a plant-based product line (Raised & Rooted). Overlaps with Daring across retail and foodservice and benefits from incumbent scale, distribution, and pricing power.
- Maple Leaf Foods: Canadian packaged meats company with plant-based brands (Lightlife, Field Roast) sold across North American retail. Competes in adjacent plant-based protein categories with broader portfolio reach.
- MorningStar Farms: Established plant-based protein brand (owned by Kellanova) with broad retail distribution across frozen and refrigerated categories. Competes for plant-based chicken and frozen entrée shelf space.
Emerging players
- Alpha Foods: Plant-based frozen meals and meat analog brand with retail distribution. Overlaps with Daring's frozen entrée bowls and unbreaded plant chicken pieces in grocery.
- Good Catch: Plant-based seafood brand using proprietary six-legume blend. Adjacent competitor to Daring within the broader plant-based protein category, with similar retail positioning.
- Eat Just (Good Meat): Plant-based egg and cultivated meat company with retail plant-based products. Overlaps with Daring as a next-generation protein brand competing for similar flexitarian consumers.
Regional players
- v2food: Australia-based plant-based meat brand and acquirer of Daring Foods. Operates in Asia-Pacific with similar plant-based chicken and beef analogs; now the parent company of Daring.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Daring Foods social profiles
Digital presenceDaring Foods compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Daring Foods financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Daring Foods leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Daring Foods funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors9 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Daring 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 Daring Foods
What does Daring Foods do?
Daring Foods manufactures and sells plant-based chicken analog products made primarily from soy protein concentrate with natural flavors and spices. The portfolio includes unbreaded pieces in Original, Cajun, and Teriyaki flavors; Breaded and Buffalo Wings; microwavable Diced and Shredded varieties; and frozen entrée bowls. A separate bulk-packaged foodservice line supplies strips and patties to restaurants and cafeterias.
Is Daring Foods a public or private company?
Daring Foods is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Daring Foods founded?
Daring Foods was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Daring Foods based?
Daring Foods is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does Daring Foods make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Retail Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are foodservice/B2B Sales and online/Direct Sales.
Who are Daring Foods's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Beyond Meat, Impossible Foods and Quorn. Broad incumbents are Tyson Foods, Maple Leaf Foods and MorningStar Farms. Emerging players are Alpha Foods, Good Catch and Eat Just (Good Meat). v2food is listed as a regional player.
Does Daring Foods have an API?
No public API is recorded for Daring Foods.
What industry is Daring Foods in?
Daring Foods's product category is Plant-based Meat Alternatives. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFANAKAL, Plant-Based Poultry Alternatives (Analog Chicken/Turkey), with a secondary code of AFANAKAO, Finished Meat-Alternative Prepared Foods (Nuggets, Burgers, Sausages, Ready Meals). Its NAICS code is 311 and its SIC code is 2030.