Demand for vegan food has risen significantly in Brazil over the last few years. It is estimated that at least 14% of the nation’s consumers substitute animal protein products with vegetable protein choices at least once a week.
With an eye on this expanding market, Rede Lanchão Brasil – operator of Lanchão, Word Tacos and Burritos and Chicken Palace (fried chicken) XPicanha, Old Dog, Word Potato, Word Esfiha and World Milk Shake chains – has entered into a partnership to distribute its newly launched SEO Broccolis line, which is produced by Origin Vegana of Valinhos. In addition to menu inclusion at the chain’s more than 100 outlets in Brazil, the frozen fare will be listed at major supermarkets.
Produced by Origin Vegana at a factory in Valinhos, the SEO Broccoli retail range currently consists of eight SKUs featuring quinoa, chickpea, red lentil, smoked soy and broccoli burgers, drumsticks and kibbeh based on vegetable proteins.
“The products are prepared and then immediately deep frozen before being packaged and distributed in for quick preparation at home,” said Marco Aurélio Dioto, one of the Campinas, Brazil-headquartered company’s founders.
Co-founder and Commercial Director Roger Antonio Domingues, noting that Rede Lanchão Brasil is best known for animal protein snacks, added: “Some time ago we started a process of diversification by introducing other food options – such as hot dogs, burritos and fried chicken – to provide more choices to customers who frequent our stores.”
In addition to selling SEO Broccolis at its premises and independent supermarkets, the new brand is also available at other venues including bakeries and vegan food specialty stores in the Campinas region.
The strategy is to expand distribution points throughout the year to other , taking SEO Broccolis to São Paulo and other major markets.
“We are structuring a sales network to prospect new distribution channels and large supermarket chains,” said Domingues.
