What Genius Gourmet does

Genius Gourmet Inc is a private functional food and beverage company founded in November 2019 and headquartered in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The company formulates and markets high-protein, low-sugar, low-carb, gluten-free snacks and beverages under its own brand and in partnership with established CPG brands. The core product portfolio spans protein bars (Creamy Peanut Butter Chocolate, Salted Caramel, Iced Lemon Cake, Chocolate Dream), crispy protein treats, protein puffs (Buffalo, Cheddar Cheese, Tapatío, Spicy Queso), SKIPPY-inspired nut roll, wafer, and crispy protein bars made with SKIPPY peanut butter spread, and a Sparkling Protein beverage line (Citrus Frost, Blue Raspberry Lemonade, Fruit Punch, and Target-exclusive Pink Lemonade). Products are formulated to deliver 15–30 grams of protein per serving with low or zero sugar and minimal carbohydrates.

The company's go-to-market combines a product-led growth strategy across DTC e-commerce (geniusgourmet.com with free shipping over $75 and a $10 email signup discount), Amazon marketplace, and an expanding nationwide retail footprint. Retail distribution spans grocery (H-E-B, Kroger/Albertsons/Safeway/Vons/Jewel-Osco, Wegmans), club (Costco, Sam's Club), mass (Target nationwide Sparkling Protein launch), and convenience channels (EG America covering over 1,000 stores). Wholesale distribution runs through UNFI, Vistar, McLane, and the Faire platform with 60-day payment terms and first-year free shipping. Brand partnerships with SKIPPY (Hormel) and Tapatío provide co-branded product lines that leverage partner equity for category entry.

The company employs 51–100 people and is led by CEO and founder Lance Rankin, President Pete Vas Dias, COO Tom Lunneborg, and VP Sales James Vas Dias, supported by a sales team and a Social Media Director. Marketing relies on organic social across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter/X, and LinkedIn, supplemented by influencer and user-generated content promotion, email marketing, and presence at trade shows including Natural Products Expo West and Sweets and Snacks Expo. Revenue is not publicly disclosed and no funding rounds or institutional investors are referenced in available materials.

Name

Genius Gourmet

Legal name

Genius Gourmet Inc

Website

https://geniusgourmet.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Genius Gourmet is a private functional food brand founded in 2019 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, producing high-protein, low-sugar, gluten-free snacks and beverages. It sells protein bars, crispy treats, protein puffs, and sparkling protein drinks via DTC, Amazon, Target, Costco, Sam's Club, H-E-B, Kroger, and 1,000+ convenience stores.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Functional Protein Snacks and Beverages

NAICS

Food Manufacturing (311), Other Snack Food Manufacturing (311919)

SIC

Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Snack Bars (Granola, Protein, Cereal Bars) (CRADABAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Health/Protein Snack Bars Manufacturing (AFAKAIAN), Protein & Meal-Replacement Beverage Production (RTD Shakes) (AFAFAFAD), Better-for-You / Functional Snacks (Low Sugar, Keto, Probiotic, Fortified) (CRADABAM), Alternative Protein Snacks, Bars & RTD Nutrition Manufacturing (AFAKAGAK)

Keywords

• High protein snacks
• Low carb snacks
• Keto protein bars
• Gluten free protein foods
• Functional protein beverages

Headquarters

HQ city

Coeur D'alene

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Direct-to-Consumer E-commerce: Online sales through company website geniusgourmet.com with subscription model offering $10 discount for email signup. Orders over $75 qualify for free shipping.
2. Retail/Wholesale Distribution: Products sold through major retailers including Costco, Target, Sam's Club, H-E-B, Kroger, Wegmans, and convenience stores. Wholesale account registration available through Faire platform with free shipping for 1 year, $100 store credit, and 60-day payment terms.
3. Amazon Sales: Products available through Amazon marketplace alongside direct website and H-E-B store availability, with expansion to additional retailers planned for Q1 2026.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Genius Gourmet manufactures and sells a portfolio of high-protein, low-sugar, low-carb, gluten-free snack and beverage products for keto, fitness, and health-conscious consumers. The lineup spans protein bars (Creamy Peanut Butter Chocolate, Salted Caramel, Iced Lemon Cake, Chocolate Dream), crispy protein treats, protein puffs (Cheddar, Buffalo, Tapatío, Spicy Queso), SKIPPY-inspired nut roll, wafer, and crispy protein bars, and a Sparkling Protein beverage line delivering 30g of protein per 12oz can with zero sugar. Products are sold direct-to-consumer online and through major national grocery, club, and convenience retailers.

Product overview

Genius Gourmet is a functional food and beverage brand offering a diversified portfolio of high-protein, low-sugar snacks and drinks. The product lineup consists of protein bars (Creamy Peanut Butter Chocolate, Salted Caramel, Iced Lemon Cake, Chocolate Dream), crispy protein treats (Salted Caramel, Vanilla Dream, Peanut Butter Chocolate), protein puffs (Cheddar Cheese, Buffalo, Tapatío, Spicy Queso), and SKIPPY®-inspired snacks (Nut Roll Bars, Wafer Protein Bars, Crispy Protein Bars). The beverage portfolio centers on the Sparkling Protein line (Citrus Frost, Blue Raspberry Lemonade, Fruit Punch, Pink Lemonade exclusive) delivering 30g protein per 12oz can with zero sugar. The company also offers bundle deals and a wholesale program for retailers and distributors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Protein Bars - Creamy Peanut Butter Chocolate High-protein, low-carb protein bar made with creamy peanut butter, delivering protein for active consumers and those following keto or low-carb diets.
• Protein Bars - Salted Caramel High-protein bar featuring salted caramel flavor, positioned for consumers seeking low-carb snack options with satisfying taste.
• Protein Bars - Iced Lemon Cake High-protein bar with iced lemon cake flavor, offering a dessert-like taste with protein benefits for health-conscious snackers.
• Protein Bars - Chocolate Dream High-protein chocolate-flavored bar designed for keto and low-carb dieters seeking indulgent chocolate taste with protein supplementation.
• Crispy Protein Treat - Salted Caramel Crispy textured protein snack with salted caramel flavor, offering an alternative format to traditional protein bars.
• Crispy Protein Treat - Vanilla Dream Crispy textured protein snack with vanilla flavor, providing a light and airy protein option for on-the-go nutrition.
• Crispy Protein Treat - Peanut Butter Chocolate Crispy protein snack combining peanut butter and chocolate flavors, delivering protein in a convenient crispy format.
• Protein Puffs High-protein puff snacks in Cheddar Cheese, Buffalo, Tapatío, and Spicy Queso flavors, delivering 15g of protein per serving in a gluten-free, GMO-free format.
• Sparkling Protein - Citrus Frost Sparkling clear protein drink delivering 30 grams of protein with zero sugar, zero lactose, and less than 1 gram of carbs per 12oz can.
• Sparkling Protein - Blue Raspberry Lemonade Sparkling clear protein drink in blue raspberry lemonade flavor, providing 30 grams of protein per 12oz can with zero sugar.
• Sparkling Protein - Fruit Punch Sparkling clear protein drink in fruit punch flavor, delivering 30 grams of protein with zero sugar and low carbs per 12oz can.
• Sparkling Protein - Pink Lemonade (Target Exclusive) Exclusive sparkling protein drink in pink lemonade flavor, available only at Target, delivering 30 grams of protein per 12oz can.
• Protein Nut Roll Bar (SKIPPY-inspired) Nut roll style protein bar with 0 grams of added sugar and 10 grams of protein, inspired by classic nutty nougat candy bars, made with SKIPPY peanut butter.
• Wafer Protein Bar (SKIPPY-inspired) Wafer-style protein bar made with SKIPPY peanut butter spread, delivering 11-15 grams of protein per serving in a crispy wafer format.
• Crispy Protein Bar (SKIPPY-inspired) Crispy protein bar made with SKIPPY peanut butter, offering 11-15 grams of protein per serving in a convenient bar format.
• Tapatío Protein Puffs Co-branded high-protein puff snack launched in partnership with Tapatío in Tapatío and Spicy Queso flavors, delivering 15g of protein per serving in a gluten-free, better-for-you format.
• Peanut Butter Flavored Bundle - 30 Count Bundle of peanut butter-flavored protein products including SKIPPY wafer protein bar, crispy treat, and Genius Gourmet Salted Vanilla Caramel, offering a 30-count variety pack at a discounted price.
• Wholesale Program Wholesale account program offering free shipping for 1 year, $100 store credit, and 60-day terms for retailers and distributors.

Quantifiable outcome

• 15-30 grams of protein per serving
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and standard.

• TapatíocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2026Genius Gourmet partnered with hot sauce brand Tapatío to launch Tapatío Protein Puffs, a new gluten-free snack available in Tapatío and Spicy Queso flavors. Each serving delivers 15 grams of protein. The products launched nationwide and were showcased at Natural Products Expo West 2026 in Anaheim, California. This partnership combines Genius Gourmet's functional food expertise with Tapatío's bold flavor brand identity to target active consumers seeking better-for-you snacks with spicy flavors.
• TargetcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 23 February 2026Genius Gourmet announced nationwide launch of its Sparkling Protein line at Target, featuring Pink Lemonade as an exclusive flavor alongside Fruit Punch and Blue Raspberry Lemonade. Each 12oz can delivers 30 grams of protein, zero sugar, zero lactose, less than 1 gram of carbs, and approximately 130 calories. The launch represented a major expansion of the beverage portfolio and marked a significant retail partnership milestone for the functional food and beverage brand.
• SKIPPY (Hormel)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGenius Gourmet expanded distribution of its SKIPPY-inspired protein snack lineup at H-E-B and Central Market, and accelerated convenience channel growth through partnership with EG America covering over 1,000 stores nationwide. The three-item lineup includes crispy, nut roll, and wafer protein bars delivering 11-15 grams of protein per serving, all made with SKIPPY peanut butter spread. CEO Lance Rankin described retailer response as validation, citing expanded placement and strong consumer demand as indicators of traction.
• EG AmericamajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with EG America covering over 1,000 convenience stores nationwide for distribution of SKIPPY-inspired protein snack lineup including crispy, nut roll, and wafer protein bars. This partnership accelerated growth in the convenience channel, which represents a strategic expansion of retail presence beyond traditional grocery and club channels.
• H-E-BmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExpanded distribution of SKIPPY-inspired protein snack lineup at H-E-B and Central Market grocery stores, providing significant Southwest regional coverage for the brand's protein snack products.
• AmazonmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnline marketplace availability for Protein Puffs and other products alongside the company's direct website sales, enabling nationwide direct-to-consumer reach beyond physical retail locations.
• Natural Products Expo WestmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor industry trade show venue where Genius Gourmet showcased new products including Tapatío Protein Puffs at the 2026 event in Anaheim, California. The show serves as a key marketing and partnership development opportunity for the CPG brand.
• FairestandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale platform partner enabling retailer account registration. Offers benefits including free shipping for 1 year, $100 store credit, and 60-day payment terms for wholesale accounts.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Quest Nutrition: Quest Nutrition is a leading direct competitor in the high-protein, low-carb snack bar and snack space. Its protein bars, chips, and cookies target the same keto/fitness consumer as Genius Gourmet with comparable macronutrient profiles, making it a benchmark for category competition.
• ONE Protein Bars (Helsinn/Hain Celestial): ONE Protein Bars is a direct shelf competitor offering a comparable protein-per-dollar value proposition across mass grocery, club, and convenience channels. Overlap with Genius Gourmet in core protein-bar SKUs and the low-carb positioning.
• OWYN (Only What You Need): OWYN is a fast-growing RTD protein shake brand with vegan, allergen-free, and zero-sugar credentials that directly competes with Genius Gourmet's Sparkling Protein line for the same better-for-you beverage shopper in grocery and club channels.
• RXBAR (Post Holdings): RXBAR is a major protein bar brand owned by Post Holdings, distributed across the same grocery and club channels as Genius Gourmet (Costco, Target, Kroger) and competing for the same better-for-you bar shopper with clean-label and high-protein positioning.
• Premier Protein (BellRing Brands): Premier Protein is the dominant RTD protein shake brand and is now expanding into protein bars and snacks. Directly comparable to Genius Gourmet's Sparkling Protein line and similar mass-channel footprint (Costco, Sam's Club, Target).
• Aloha (ALOHA): Aloha is a plant-based protein bar brand competing in the same better-for-you bar category with retail distribution at Whole Foods, Target, and Kroger. Comparable clean-label, low-sugar, high-protein positioning to Genius Gourmet's bar portfolio.
• Barebells (Family Factory): Barebells is a protein bar brand available in club and convenience channels with comparable 15-20g protein positioning. Direct overlap with Genius Gourmet's SKIPPY-inspired wafer and crispy bars on shelf at Costco, Sam's Club, and c-store.
• Think! (ThinkKitchen): Think! protein bars and cookies target the same low-carb, high-protein shopper with comparable retail distribution and macronutrient profile. Overlap with Genius Gourmet's protein bars and crispy protein treats in the better-for-you snack aisle.
• Built Bar: Built Bar markets low-sugar, high-protein bars and is a direct CPG peer to Genius Gourmet's protein bars in the fitness and active-lifestyle shopper segment, with overlapping D2C and Amazon distribution strategy.

Emerging players

• Outstanding Foods (Puffworks): Outstanding Foods/Puffworks produces high-protein cheese puffs and snacks that compete directly with Genius Gourmet's Protein Puffs and Tapatío Protein Puffs in the better-for-you salty snack category.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/GeniusGourmetUS
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCxmINYrK7YqSpQtKXNI8bbw
• Facebookfacebook.com/geniusgourmetsnacks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/geniusgourmetsnacks
• Instagraminstagram.com/geniusgourmetsnacks
• TikToktiktok.com/@geniusgourmetsnacks

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

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 Genius Gourmet