Premier Protein
Premier Protein is a US-based consumer nutrition brand offering ready-to-drink protein shakes, powders, cereals, pancakes, and muffin mixes (30g protein, 160 calories, no added sugar), distributed through Costco, Walmart, and other nationwide retailers and a DTC subscription site, serving health-conscious consumers and healthcare workers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersEmeryville, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Premier Protein does
Premier Protein is a consumer nutrition brand owned by Premier Nutrition Company, LLC, which operates as a subsidiary of BellRing Brands (NYSE: BRBR), itself a Post Holdings operating company spun off in 2019. The brand is headquartered in Emeryville, California, with a customer relations office in San Francisco, and serves consumers in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Premier Protein is identified as a leading market player in the protein shake category, with the input explicitly listing it alongside Quest Nutrition, Clif Bar, RXBAR, KIND Bar, and others.
The core offering is a shelf-stable ready-to-drink (RTD) protein shake delivering 30g of protein per serving at 160 calories with no added sugar, complemented by a diversified portfolio that includes protein powders (Chocolate Milkshake, Vanilla Milkshake, Café Latte, Salted Caramel Truffle), protein-enriched cereals and granola (Mixed Berry Almond, Chocolate Almond, Honey Almond), protein pancake and waffle mixes (mixes plus frozen varieties), and high-protein muffin mixes developed in partnership with Hometown Food Company. Sub-brands and lines include Classic shakes (14+ flavors), Coffeehouse caffeinated shakes, Indulgence dessert-inspired shakes, Mini shakes, and Almondmilk/Al'mazing non-dairy plant-based shakes. Product formulation rather than software technology is the core capability; the e-commerce site runs on LemonStand and netCentrix infrastructure.
Revenue is generated through two primary channels: physical retail distribution through mass-market partners including Costco and Walmart as well as other nationwide retailers, and direct-to-consumer online sales through premierprotein.com, which supports subscription ordering with automatic renewal. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. Go-to-market combines product-led positioning around convenience, taste, and nutritional value (30g protein, 160 calories, no added sugar, 24 vitamins and minerals) with event-driven community marketing, notably the Shakes for Shifts purpose-driven platform, which includes a $450,000 sponsorship commitment to the American Nurses Association, hospital sampling tours, and a $25,000 grants program. In 2025 Premier Nutrition Company expanded a voluntary recall of 11oz RTD shakes through Lyons Magnus LLC related to potential microbial contamination, a material operational risk for the brand.
Premier Protein firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Premier Protein
- Legal name
- Premier Nutrition Company, LLC
- Website
- https://premierprotein.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Premier Protein is a US-based consumer nutrition brand offering ready-to-drink protein shakes, powders, cereals, pancakes, and muffin mixes (30g protein, 160 calories, no added sugar), distributed through Costco, Walmart, and other nationwide retailers and a DTC subscription site, serving health-conscious consumers and healthcare workers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Premier Protein industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Sports Nutrition Foods
- NAICS
- Food (Health) Supplement Retailers (456191)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Protein & Meal-Replacement Beverage Production (RTD Shakes) (AFAFAFAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Protein & Sports Dairy Beverages (RTD Protein Shakes, High-Protein Milk) (AFAHAIAD), Functional Foods & Supplement Formats (Gummies, Chews, Powders, Shots) (CRADAGAI)
Keywords
Where Premier Protein is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Emeryville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Premier Protein business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Direct-to-Consumer Online Sales: Products sold directly through premierprotein.com with subscription ordering options for regular deliveries. Consumers can set up recurring orders with automatic renewal.
- Retail Distribution: Products distributed through major retail channels including Costco, Walmart, and nationwide retailers. Products available in physical stores for immediate purchase.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Premier Protein product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Premier Protein manufactures and markets a portfolio of protein-enriched ready-to-drink shakes, protein powders, cereals, granola, pancake and waffle mixes, and muffin mixes. Its core ready-to-drink shakes deliver 30g of protein, 160 calories, no added sugar, and 24 vitamins and minerals per serving. The brand distributes its products through major U.S. retail chains and a direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront with subscription ordering.
Product overview
Premier Protein is a consumer nutrition brand offering a diversified portfolio of protein-enriched food and beverage products. The core offering consists of ready-to-drink protein shakes (in Classic, Coffeehouse, Indulgence, Almondmilk, and Mini formats) providing 30g of protein per serving, complemented by protein powders, cereals, granola, pancake/waffle mixes, and muffin mixes. The product line spans from on-the-go convenience products (shelf-stable shakes) to home preparation items (powders, baking mixes), with flavors ranging from classic (Chocolate, Vanilla) to indulgent dessert-inspired varieties. Recent expansions include plant-based non-dairy options and caffeinated coffeehouse shakes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Al'mazing Non-Dairy Protein Shakes: Plant-based protein shakes made with real almonds, the company's first non-dairy offering
- Coffeehouse Protein Shakes
- Indulgence
- Premier Protein Muffin Mixes
- Shakes for Shifts
Products and services
- Protein Shakes
Quantifiable outcome
- 30g protein per serving with 160 calories and no added sugar
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Premier Protein
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Premier Protein technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Premier Protein partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor and core.
- Hometown Food CompanyflagshipPremier Protein partnered with Hometown Food Company to launch new high-protein muffin mixes and microwavable muffin cups in the US. The strategic partnership marks Premier Protein's entry into the baking category with Blueberry and Chocolate Chip flavors containing 13-15g protein per serving, available at Walmart and nationwide retailers.
- Milk BarminorPremier Protein collaborated with Milk Bar and Chef Christina Tosi to create limited-time high-protein dessert menu items including cookies, cake, and tiramisu truffles. Customers could receive free samples during Protein Power Hour and discounts for nurses.
- American Nurses AssociationcorePremier Protein launched its first purpose-driven platform 'Shakes for Shifts' with a $450,000 sponsorship commitment to the American Nurses Association. The partnership includes providing ready-to-drink shakes at healthcare institutions, sponsoring wellness activities including the ANCC National Magnet Conference and Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation challenge.
- American Nurses AssociationcorePremier Protein continued its sponsorship of the American Nurses Association as part of its commitment to supporting nurses during National Nurses Week. The partnership includes the Shakes for Shifts Grants Program offering $25,000 in grants to nurses.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Premier Protein competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- OWYN (Only What You Need): OWYN is a plant-based RTD protein shake brand sold in major US grocery and natural channels. Directly competes with Premier Protein in the same shelf-stable RTD format with similar protein-per-calorie claims.
- Fairlife Core Power: fairlife Core Power (Coca-Cola) is a high-protein dairy-based RTD shake with comparable protein content. Direct shelf competitor in convenience and grocery channels and a benchmark for premium protein beverage distribution.
- Koia: Koia produces plant-based protein beverages sold in grocery, club, and DTC channels. Direct RTD competitor targeting similar flexitarian and wellness consumers with comparable protein-per-bottle claims.
- Iconic Protein: Iconic produces RTD protein shakes and protein powders with grass-fed/clean-label positioning. Competes head-to-head with Premier Protein in DTC, grocery, and club-store channels for the same active-lifestyle consumer.
- Orgain: Orgain makes organic plant-based and dairy-based RTD protein shakes and powders targeting similar health-conscious consumers through retail and DTC channels. Closely comparable in product format, target demographic, and 'better-for-you' positioning.
- Aloha: Aloha offers organic plant-based protein bars and RTD protein drinks via DTC and national retail. Competes for the same health-conscious consumer set with adjacent product formats and similar better-for-you positioning.
- Muscle Milk (CytoSport / Hormel): Muscle Milk is a long-established RTD protein shake and powder brand with similar high-protein positioning. Direct competitor in mass, club, and convenience channels with overlapping active-lifestyle consumer base.
Emerging players
- Slate Milk: Slate produces high-protein, low-sugar flavored milk beverages distributed through club and DTC channels. Comparable in better-for-you dairy beverage positioning with growing retail distribution in the same channels Premier Protein uses.
Broad incumbents
- Ensure (Abbott): Ensure is Abbott's flagship nutrition shake brand with deep retail distribution and a healthcare-adjacent consumer base. While positioned for medical/senior nutrition, it competes for the same on-the-go protein occasion at mass retailers.
- Optimum Nutrition: Optimum Nutrition (Glanbia) is a leading sports-nutrition brand spanning RTD shakes, powders, and bars. Overlaps with Premier Protein in RTD shake format and protein category leadership, anchored by a much wider performance-nutrition portfolio.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Premier Protein social profiles
Digital presencePremier Protein financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Premier Protein leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Premier Protein funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Premier Protein 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 Premier Protein
What does Premier Protein do?
Premier Protein manufactures and markets a portfolio of protein-enriched ready-to-drink shakes, protein powders, cereals, granola, pancake and waffle mixes, and muffin mixes. Its core ready-to-drink shakes deliver 30g of protein, 160 calories, no added sugar, and 24 vitamins and minerals per serving. The brand distributes its products through major U.S. retail chains and a direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront with subscription ordering.
Is Premier Protein a public or private company?
Premier Protein is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Premier Protein founded?
Premier Protein was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Premier Protein based?
Premier Protein is headquartered in Emeryville, United States, in the North America region.
How does Premier Protein make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Direct-to-Consumer Online Sales are the primary driver. The others are retail Distribution.
Who are Premier Protein's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are OWYN (Only What You Need), Fairlife Core Power, Koia, Iconic Protein, Orgain, Aloha and Muscle Milk (CytoSport / Hormel). Slate Milk is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Ensure (Abbott) and Optimum Nutrition.
Does Premier Protein have an API?
No public API is recorded for Premier Protein.
What industry is Premier Protein in?
Premier Protein's product category is Sports Nutrition Foods. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAFAFAD, Protein & Meal-Replacement Beverage Production (RTD Shakes), with a secondary code of AFAHAIAD, Protein & Sports Dairy Beverages (RTD Protein Shakes, High-Protein Milk). Its NAICS code is 456191 and its SIC code is 2090.