12 Food Item Business Success Stories [2024]

Updated: November 1st, 2023
Start A Food Item Business

Here are some real life success stories of starting a food item business:

1. Food Fleet ($18M/year)

After struggling to find locations to operate their own food truck, the founder took over booking for other trucks and realized the need for a turnkey service for corporations. They used their 35 years of food service experience to provide solutions and help the trucks with everything from food safety to insurance. Their unique approach, along with their understanding of the hospitality business, has allowed Food Fleet to secure national contracts with major companies and achieve significant growth.

How much they make: $18M/year
Current team size: 6

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How I Took Food Trucks Corporate And Built A $18M Business

Food Fleet grew over 160% in just one year and managed over 20 million in sales for its clients, securing multiple contracts with the likes of Sodexo, Levy Restaurants and more, due to its understanding of catering client needs and its advanced turnkey and design services.

About
Jeffrey started Food Fleet about 12 years ago
Revenue
Jeffrey grew the business to $1.5M/month
Read by 14,602 founders

2. Grain ($1M/year)

How much they make: $1M/year
How much did it cost to start: $100K
Current team size: 60

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This S’pore Startup Went Against The ‘Grain’ And Ran Cloud Kitchens Before They Got Popular

Grain is a Singapore-based food and beverage services brand founded in 2014 that uses cloud kitchens to provide wholesome nutritious meals, meal plans, catering services, packaged drinks, and more to their customers while offering a line of Marvel merchandise.

About
They started Grain over 10 years ago
Revenue
They grew the business to $83.4K/month
Costs
It cost $100000 to start the business
Read by 694 founders

Learn more about starting a food item business:

Where to start?

-> How much does it cost to start a food item business?
-> Pros and cons of a food item business

Need inspiration?

-> Examples of established food item business

Other resources

3. LEAN BENTO ($1.01M/year)

How much they make: $1.01M/year
Current team size:

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From Fat To Fit: This S’porean Taps On Data Analytics To Design Healthy Bentos

Lean Bento co-founders use engineering research to develop customizable menu combos for their 13-item healthy meal restaurant, which expanded to a delivery service for the entire island after only one year of operation.

About
They started LEAN BENTO over 10 years ago
Revenue
They grew the business to $84K/month
Read by 636 founders

4. Shake Shack ($740M/year)

How much they make: $740M/year
Current team size: 3386

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Shake Shack SuccessStory

Shake Shack went from a single hot dog stand to a global fast food chain with over 270 locations thanks to its fresh, high-quality, and delicious food at an incredible price.

About
They started Shake Shack over 20 years ago
Revenue
They grew the business to $61.7M/month
Read by 1,187 founders

5. The Vet Chef ($417K/year)

How much they make: $417K/year
How much did it cost to start: $41.2K
Current team size:

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How to Start $417K/Year Food Truck Business

This case study highlights how the Vet Chef food truck business, completely established, operated, and managed by veterans, earns more than $400,000 annually and is expanding.

About
They started The Vet Chef almost 9 years ago
Revenue
They grew the business to $34.8K/month
Costs
It cost $41200 to start the business
Read by 801 founders

6. Aybla Grill ($648K/year)

How much they make: $648K/year
How much did it cost to start: $20K
Current team size:

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$54K/Month Food Truck Business

From Syria to Portland: How one restaurateur started with $20K and now runs a successful business with 3 food trucks and average monthly revenue of $50K.

About
They started Aybla Grill almost 20 years ago
Revenue
They grew the business to $54K/month
Costs
It cost $20000 to start the business
Read by 1,044 founders

7. Truvani ($4.44M/year)

How much they make: $4.44M/year
Current team size: 28

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Derek Halpern On How To Get 250K Orders In 2 Years With Truvani

Truvani, a health supplement, plant-based proteins, snacks, and personal care product brand founded by Vani Hari, Derek Halpern, and Devin Duncan, boasts an entirely USDA Organic, Non-GMO line of food that is free of risky chemicals and cheap additives, promoting the Truvani Standard.

About
Vani started Truvani over 6 years ago
Revenue
Vani grew the business to $370K/month
Read by 933 founders

8. FireCreek Snacks ($500K/year)

How much they make: $500K/year
Current team size: 2

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How FireCreek Snacks Found Massive Success in Alternative Retail Channels

FireCreek Snacks provides a healthy, all-natural snack with exceptional taste, made with pure and traditional ingredients, containing no artificial ingredients, being gluten-free, soy-free, MSG-free, and high in protein and low in sugar.

About
Dustin started FireCreek Snacks about 8 years ago
Revenue
Dustin grew the business to $41.7K/month
Read by 705 founders

9. THIS™ ($20.1M/year)

How much they make: $20.1M/year
Current team size: 83

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THIS Co-Founder shares their secret to making plant-based food that doesn’t suck - Andy Shovel

THIS, the UK-based vegan food company co-founded in 2019, is now the fastest-growing meat substitute brand in the UK with a recent valuation at £150 million, annualized revenue of £17.5 million and a 333% YoY growth in UK retail in just 3 years.

About
Andy started THIS™ over 5 years ago
Revenue
Andy grew the business to $1.67M/month
Read by 520 founders

10. ChocoSol ($3M/year)

How much they make: $3M/year
Current team size: 11

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The Key To Creating A Regenerative Food Company

ChocoSol, the Toronto-based artisanal chocolate and coffee brand, uses sustainable methods to make and package its products, working with small-scale farmers and supporting forest garden agriculture, and has won several national and international awards.

About
Michael started ChocoSol over 21 years ago
Revenue
Michael grew the business to $250K/month
Read by 464 founders