CII

What CII does

CII (Cereal Ingredients, Inc.), doing business as CII Foods, is a privately held, employee-owned B2B food ingredient manufacturer founded in 1990 by Robert Hatch in Leavenworth, Kansas. The company produces specialty inclusions and ingredient solutions — including Nutri-Crisps plant-based protein crisps, Flav-R-Swirl granular mixtures for laminated doughs, Accent Bits colored particulates, Flav-R-Bites flavored inclusions, Clust-R-Snax granola clusters, custom panning/coating services, texturized plant proteins, and RF (radio frequency) heat treatment services — for food manufacturers across baking, dairy, confectionery, and bars & snacks applications.

The company's technology stack centers on extrusion-based texturization of plant proteins, RF thermal processing that reduces pathogens while preserving natural/organic labeling claims, granular mixture engineering for swirl and inclusion applications, and a vertically integrated panning and coating line. Operations span three U.S. facilities (Leavenworth headquarters, St. Joseph cluster manufacturing, and Kansas City panning and extrusion) with on-site application test labs supporting custom collaborative R&D. The portfolio carries BRC (GFSI), Kosher, Organic, Non-GMO, RSPO Mass Balance, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Halal, and FSMA certifications across product lines.

CII operates a sales-led, consultative B2B go-to-market model targeting brand owners, sourcing managers, and R&D teams at food manufacturers. Revenue is generated through quote-based direct sales with minimum order quantities ranging from 4,000 to 12,000 pounds depending on product line, with volume discounts and custom pricing negotiated through direct consultation. The company does not disclose revenue publicly, has no institutional funding rounds on record, and serves only the U.S. market.

Name

CII

Legal name

Cereal Ingredients, Inc.

Website

https://ciifoods.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

CII Foods is an employee-owned U.S. B2B manufacturer of specialty food inclusions, texturized plant proteins, granola clusters, panning/coating services, and RF heat treatment serving brand owners and food manufacturers across baking, dairy, confectionery, and snack applications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Food Ingredient Manufacturing

NAICS

Food Manufacturing (311), Dried and Dehydrated Food Manufacturing (311423)

SIC

Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090)

akta.pro primary industry

Ingredient Blends & Systems / Custom Formulation (Seasoning Systems, Functional Blends) (CRADAOAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Plant-Based Protein Ingredient Producers (Isolates, Concentrates, Texturates) (AFANAKAB), Color Blends & Formulation Systems (Standardized Blends, Shade Matching) (AFAJAEAF), Clean-Label/Natural Flavor Solutions (Natural WONF, Natural Identical where applicable) (AFAJADAL)

Keywords

• Food ingredient manufacturing
• Texturized plant proteins
• Food inclusions
• Granola clusters
• Custom food R&D

Headquarters

HQ city

Leavenworth

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. B2B Food Ingredient Sales: CII Foods generates revenue through direct B2B sales of proprietary food ingredient products to food manufacturers. Revenue is derived from product sales across multiple categories including protein crisps, flavor inclusions, granola clusters, panning solutions, and heat treatment services. The company operates on a quote-based model with minimum order quantities ranging from 4,000 to 10,500 pounds depending on product line.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

CII Foods manufactures and supplies proprietary food ingredient products and inclusion solutions for food manufacturers, including plant-based protein crisps (Nutri-Crisps®), flavor and color inclusions (Flav-R-Swirl®, Accent Bits®, Flav-R-Bites®), granola clusters (Clust-R-Snax®), panning and coating services, texturized plant proteins, and controlled RF heat treatment services that reduce pathogens while preserving natural/organic labeling. Products are sold B2B with quote-based pricing and minimum order quantities, supported by custom collaborative R&D and on-site application testing across baking, dairy, confections, and bar & snack applications.

Product overview

CII Foods is a specialized food ingredients manufacturer offering a portfolio of custom food inclusions and ingredient solutions. The product line includes protein crisps (Nutri-Crisps®), flavor and color swirls (Flav-R-Swirl®), decorative particulates (Accent Bits®), flavored inclusions (Flav-R-Bites®), granola clusters (Clust-R-Snax®), panning/coating services, texturized plant proteins, and heat treatment services. These products serve applications across baking, dairy, confections, and bars & snacks industries. The company operates as a single unified offering platform focused on ingredient solutions for food manufacturers, with vertically integrated processes and flexible production capabilities enabling rapid innovation and customization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Nutri-Crisps®: Plant-based protein crisps designed to add nutrition and texture to food products, available in multiple shapes and flavors.
• Flav-R-Swirl®
• Accent Bits®
• Flav-R-Bites®
• Clust-R-Snax®

Products and services

• Nutri-Crisps® Nutri-Crisps® are plant-based protein crisps made from pea and rice, designed to add nutrition, texture, and crunch to finished food products across multiple shapes and flavors, with certifications including Organic, Non-GMO, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Halal, and Kosher. They are sold B2B to food manufacturers for use in cereals, snacks, bars, baking, and dairy applications.
• Flav-R-Swirl® Flav-R-Swirl® is a granular mixture specifically engineered for swirl breads and laminated doughs that delivers vibrant color and flavor while reducing delamination, with shelf-stable functionality. It is available in multiple flavors, colors, and nutritional profiles with BRC, Organic, RSPO MB, and Kosher Pareve certifications, and is sold B2B to commercial bakeries.
• Accent Bits® Accent Bits® are small starch-based, sugar-free colored granules that enhance the visual appeal and texture of seasoning blends and finished food products without altering flavor profiles. Available unflavored with custom colors and certifications including BRC and Kosher Pareve, marketed to seasoning and food manufacturers.
• Flav-R-Bites® Flav-R-Bites® are colored and flavored particulate inclusions used to enhance the flavor, color, and texture of finished food products across cereals, baked goods, ice cream, and drink mix applications. They are shelf-stable and cost-effective alternatives to fresh or frozen items, with options for high protein, high fiber, and prebiotic content, available in a wide range of flavors and BRC, Organic, RSPO MB, and Kosher Pareve certifications.
• Clust-R-Snax® Clust-R-Snax® are custom granola and cluster creations made from whole grains combined with health and wellness ingredients such as nuts, seeds, and proteins, used as inclusions in cereals, snacks, and other applications. Produced at the St. Joseph, Missouri facility with conventional, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free, and Organic options (Organic in development) and customizable nutritional profiles including protein, fiber, and prebiotic enhancements.
• Panning Panning is a coating service that applies chocolate and compound coatings, savory seasonings, and protective layers to nuts, clusters, granolas, fruits, and custom-designed crisps, with custom colors and flavors across conventional, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free, and Organic options. The service is BRC-certified under GFSI standards and FSMA-compliant, and supports shelf-life extension and flavor customization for food brands.
• Plant Proteins (Texturized Plant Proteins) Plant Proteins are texturized plant proteins (TPP) derived from soy, pea, wheat, and other plant sources that mimic the texture and appearance of animal proteins, available as shreds, crumbles, chunks, and custom shapes. Non-allergen, gluten-free, and soy-free options are offered alongside Halal, Kosher, Organic, and Non-GMO certifications, targeting plant-based meat alternative and protein-fortified food manufacturers.
• Heat Treatment Heat Treatment is a BRC-certified controlled thermal processing service using RF (radio frequency) heating that significantly reduces pathogens and harmful microorganisms in raw ingredients while preserving product integrity and supporting natural and organic labeling claims. Materials are processed in manufacturers' unopened packaging (bag-only) with trial runs and custom validation studies available, serving food manufacturers needing validated pathogen reduction while maintaining clean-label positioning.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduce Metric tons of CO2 per pound produced at least 25% by 2030
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• FINCA (The Foundation for International Community Assistance)foundationalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1984CII Foods founder Robert Hatch co-founded FINCA in 1984, a pioneering microfinance organization. This founding experience shaped Hatch's vision that business ownership fosters stronger communities, which became the guiding principle for CII Foods' people-first approach and community commitment.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• MGP Ingredients: US-based ingredient manufacturer producing plant-based proteins, food-grade starches, and specialty ingredients for food and beverage customers. Most closely comparable mid-sized US specialty ingredient peer with overlapping protein/ingredient manufacturing.
• Sensient Technologies Corporation: Global manufacturer of colors, flavors, and specialty ingredients for food, beverage, and consumer products. Comparable on the color/flavor inclusion side (parallel to CII's Accent Bits, Flav-R-Swirl, Flav-R-Bites) and similar mid-cap enterprise profile.
• Balchem Corporation: Specialty ingredient manufacturer supplying encapsulated ingredients, choline, and food protection systems to food, feed, and pharma markets. Mid-sized US public peer with analogous ingredient innovation/encapsulation business model.
• SunOpta: Plant-based food and ingredient company specializing in non-GMO and organic ingredients including plant-based proteins and fruit purees. Comparable B2B ingredient supplier with non-GMO/organic positioning similar to CII's certification stack.

Broad incumbents

• Cargill: Global agribusiness and major food ingredient supplier producing plant proteins, sweeteners, oils, and inclusions across the full CPG value chain. Overlaps with CII on plant-protein (texturized) and ingredient inclusions but at vastly larger scale and broader portfolio.
• Kerry Group: Global taste and nutrition ingredients manufacturer offering flavors, inclusions, proteins, and functional systems to CPG and food manufacturers. Direct functional overlap with CII's inclusion, flavor, and texturized protein products within a much broader portfolio.
• Ingredion Incorporated: Global ingredient solutions provider producing plant-based sweeteners, starches, and proteins (including pea protein isolates/concentrates) for food and beverage customers. Comparable on plant-protein ingredient side (TPP overlap) at significantly larger global scale.
• Tate & Lyle: Global food and beverage ingredient manufacturer producing texturants, stabilizers, sweeteners, and plant-based proteins including texturized pea proteins. Direct overlap with CII's texturized plant protein and clean-label ingredient positioning.
• Archer Daniels Midland (ADM): Global nutrition and agricultural origination company producing plant proteins (soy, pea, wheat-based texturates and isolates) and food ingredients. Overlaps with CII's TPP line and B2B food-manufacturer customer base.
• Roquette: Global leader in plant-based ingredients, producing pea, soy, and other plant proteins (textured isolates, concentrates) for food manufacturers. Direct overlap with CII's texturized plant protein product line and plant-based meat alternative customer segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses6 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance33 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 CII