The owners of this niche business needed their service before the service existed. Both were working long hours at corporate jobs and recognized that far too often, they were grabbing fast, unhealthy meals.
They wanted to eat healthier but had no time to plan menus and shop for ingredients. They created a visionary solution, developed it, and are now seeking a new owner to take this thriving operation to the next level.
Their business is the perfect solution for time-stretched professionals looking for a healthier lifestyle but who need help achieving it. They produce portioned meal kits utilizing fresh, often local ingredients, that are then delivered to their customer’s door step. Clients order their meal kits online by choosing from different plan types with their choice of meat-based and/or vegetarian options.
The resulting meals are fresh, healthy, locally-sourced, and more flavorful than what’s currently available on the market. The business was also an entirely new concept at its inception. When the owners launched their business, they were pioneers and their first task was educating the market about meal kits and what the service could offer their customers. The large national/international corporate meal kit companies didn’t appear until a few years later and have boosted business for this company by building product demand. Many large competitors ship their meal kits from the mainland, coming from as far as Ontario in some cases.
To start, the owners spent a year developing recipes, researching products and setting up suppliers, choosing packaging to keep the food at the correct temperature, and finding a commercial kitchen where the meal kits could be assembled.
Prior to the official launch of the business, they set up a pilot project to test their concept with family and friends. Most loved the idea and became clients right away. When they opened the business to the public, they had their first client sign up in the first week of operations. Many more followed and they now serve a client base that increases weekly.
Growth has been primarily through word-of-mouth – or perhaps taste in mouth – as current clients invite friends and family to enjoy the meals. They have the most robust and competitive referral program in the industry and market via social media, Google Ads, and charitable giving opportunities.
From the outset, their plan was to spend five years developing the business and then sell their success. They are now ready to move on, passing their developed operating plan, client base, and processes to a new owner.
They can see continued potential for growth with additional specialty meals – such as gluten-free and/or dairy free alternatives – as well as additional delivery times and areas. At present, the company delivers once a week but there is demand for more meals.
For the owners, the business offers flexible hours, the creativity to develop delicious, healthy and easy-to-prepare meals, and the reward of making their clients’ lives simpler and healthier.
The business is currently located in one of Canada’s most vibrant and popular places to live. It is situated near good schools and multiple post-secondary options, an arts community, shopping, and a long list of amenities – including the best climate in Canada!
