Top 10: Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Models

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Top 10: Direct- to- Consumer (DTC) Models
Our Top 10 Direct-to-Consumer models, Huel, The Farmer's Dog, Athletic Brewing, Misfits Market, AllPlants & more, are shaking up the food industry

The Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) model has changed the way brands interact with their customers, removing the need for intermediaries and fostering direct relationships. This approach has gained significant traction across various industries, including food and beverages, as well as pet products. 

Our Top 10 list showcases innovative DTC brands which have successfully carved out niches in their respective markets. These companies leverage technology, sustainability and personalisation to meet evolving consumer demands. 

From Moon Cheese's unique snack offerings to Huel's meal replacement solutions, each brand demonstrates the power of the DTC model in delivering tailored products and experiences directly to consumers.

Moon Cheese

10. Moon Cheese

Founded 2013, US

CEO: Brad Lahrman

If you’re a fan of cheese, Moon Cheese is for you… The company produces crunchy cheese snacks, using dehydration technology. The process removes moisture from cheese while preserving its nutrients and flavour, resulting in a shelf-stable, high-protein snack. 

Moon Cheese offers various flavours, including:

  • Cheddar
  • Gouda
  • Pepper Jack

Moon Cheese appeals both to cheese lovers and those seeking low-carb snack options. Its DTC model allows the company to reach health-conscious consumers directly and adapt quickly to changing market demands.

Cha Cha Matcha

9. Cha Cha Matcha

Founded: 2016, 

Founder: Matthew Morton

Cha Cha Matcha emphasises quality, sourcing ceremonial grade matcha from Japan and maintains a strong visual brand identity. The company operates seven cafes in New York and Los Angeles, specialising in matcha and health-forward beverages, offering a variety of matcha-based drinks and incorporating trendy ingredients, from blue algae to chaga mushrooms. 

Now, the company is expanding its direct-to-consumer offerings, planning to launch a matcha kit and develop at-home versions of popular cafe drinks. This DTC expansion aims to cater to customers unable to access physical stores and become a regular part of consumers' routines. 

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8. Fix & Fogg 

Founded 2014, New Zealand

Co-Founders: Roman and Andrea Jewell.

Fix & Fogg offers a range of nut butters, including classic peanut and almond varieties, as well as more adventurous options, such as "Smoke and Fire" peanut butter or "Everything" butter. 

As the peanut butter industry is under fire for its use of unsustainably-sourced palm oil, the Fix & Fogg brand strongly emphasises sustainability and transparency in its sourcing and production processes. 

Fix & Fogg's DTC model ensures quality control and builds direct relationships with customers, fostering brand loyalty and enabling them to quickly respond to consumer preferences, with its high-quality, ethically-sourced products. 

Haus

7. Haus 

Founded 2019, US

CEO: Helena Price 

As millennials and Gen Z consumers continue to look for lower-alcohol beverage options, Haus founder Helena Price designed such a drink made with natural ingredients, delivered straight to the door.

Haus is a DTC brand that specialises in selling custom wines and aperitifs, focused on natural alternatives to traditional spirits. Haus sources high-quality ingredients and uses a wine base to create unique, flavorful aperitifs that can be enjoyed on their own or in cocktails. 

Their product range includes flavours like Citrus Flower, Rose Rosé and Bitter Clove. 

Magic Spoon

6. Magic Spoon

Founded 2019, New York, US

CEO: Gabi Lewis 

It sounds like the lost chapter of a fairytale, but Magic Spoon is bringing change to the cereal industry, by offering nostalgic flavours with a healthy twist. Their high-protein, low-carb cereals cater to health-conscious adults who miss the taste of childhood favourites. 

With fun flavours like Fruity, Cocoa and Peanut Butter, Magic Spoon advertises a guilt-free breakfast experience. The brand uses a blend of milk and whey proteins, along with natural sweeteners, to create a nutritious product with no artificial ingredients. Promoted with colourful packaging and an engaging social media presence, Magic Spoon has helped to build a loyal customer base and demonstrates the growing demand for healthier alternatives to traditional breakfast foods in the DTC market.

AllPlants

5. AllPlants

Founded: 2016, UK

Founder: Jonathan Petrides

Allplants is a vegan food delivery service that operates primarily as a Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) brand. Specialising in chef-prepared, plant-based meals delivered directly to customers' doors, Allplants offers a diverse menu catering to various tastes and dietary preferences. 

The company has recently expanded into an omnichannel business model, including retail and foodservice channels. Allplants' DTC approach allows for direct customer relationships and innovation based on feedback. 

As a certified B Corporation, the company emphasises sustainability, using recyclable packaging and ethical sourcing practices. 

Misfits Market

4. Misfits Market

Founded 2018, US

CEO: Abhi Ramesh

According to the latest global research on food waste, up to one-third of all food produced is wasted. Left to rot in landfill, it releases methane gas, which is 25 times more harmful to the planet than carbon dioxide.

One company out to change this, is Misfits Market, which addresses food waste and accessibility issues. The company delivers organic produce and grocery items that might otherwise be discarded due to cosmetic imperfections or surplus inventory. 

The company sources these ‘misfit’ products directly from farmers and food producers, offering them to customers at discounted prices. Misfits Market's subscription-based model allows customers to receive regular deliveries of fresh, organic produce. 

Athletic Brewing

3. Athletic Brewing

Founded 2017, US

CEO: Bill Shufelt

Health-conscious consumers, such as athletes, are looking to reduce their alcohol intake, without skipping all the fun. 

Athletic Brewing has met this need in the craft beer market by focusing exclusively on non-alcoholic options. Founded in 2017, the company aims to provide flavorful, craft-quality beers for those who want to enjoy the taste without the alcohol content. 

The range includes various styles, such as: 

  • IPAs
  • Golden ales
  • Stouts

The drinks are all brewed using innovative techniques to maintain flavour while removing alcohol. 

The brand's success has helped expand the non-alcoholic beer market and challenge perceptions about alcohol-free beverages.

The Farmer's Dog

2. The Farmer's Dog

Founded 2014, US

CEO: Jonathan Regev

The Farmer's Dog offers a fresh approach to pet nutrition by delivering human-grade dog food directly to customers' doors. The company creates personalised meal plans based on each dog's age, weight, breed and activity level. 

Using whole ingredients like real meat and vegetables, The Farmer's Dog prepares meals in USDA-approved kitchens and flash-freezes them for freshness. This approach aims to provide dogs with more nutritious alternatives to traditional kibble or canned food. The subscription-based model ensures convenience for pet owners while maintaining the quality and freshness of the food.

“The Farmer's Dog is the leading tech-enabled pet health brand on a mission to radically improve the broken pet food industry,” said CEO Jonathan Regev. “We're backed by top-tier venture capital firms and we really, really like dogs.”

Huel

1. Huel 

Founded 2015, UK

CEO: James McMaster

For those who are stretched on time but still want to eat nutritionally complete meals, Huel offers replacement products designed to provide balanced nutrition in convenient formats. 

“Our mission is to make nutritionally complete, convenient, affordable food, with minimal impact on animals and the environment,” shared CEO James McMaster.

The company's product range includes powders, ready-to-drink shakes and bars, all formulated to deliver a blend of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, fibre and essential vitamins and minerals. 

The Huel brand appeals to busy professionals, athletes and those looking to maintain a consistent, healthy diet and its DTC model allows them to get food delivered to their home in time for dinner. 
 

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