Daiya Foods

Daiya Foods

Produces plant-based dairy-free cheeses and foods

About Daiya Foods

Simplify's Rating
Why Daiya Foods is rated
C+
Rated C on Competitive Edge
Rated B on Growth Potential
Rated C on Differentiation

Industries

Food & Agriculture

Consumer Goods

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

Acquired

Total Funding

$405M

Headquarters

Burnaby, Canada

Founded

2008

Overview

Daiya Foods makes plant-based dairy alternatives, including vegan cheeses that melt and taste like dairy, as well as yogurt, cream cheese, dressings, and ready-to-eat meals. Its products are sold through its website, grocery partners, and foodservice channels, serving vegans, lactose-intolerant individuals, and health- or sustainability-minded shoppers. The company differentiates itself with realistic melting cheese and authentic flavor, backed by a well-known brand that gained mainstream visibility (including the Oprah Effect). Its goal is to provide tasty, accessible dairy-free options that perform like dairy in cooking and everyday eating, while expanding the market for plant-based foods.

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • 64% Gen Z switch restaurants without gluten-free options, boosting Daiya traffic.
  • 72% Millennials seek gluten-free menus, driving loyalty via inclusive pizzas.
  • Dry Powdered Mac & Cheese expands retail at Walmart since April 2024.

What critics are saying

  • Kraft Heinz NotCo's KD NotMacandCheese captures 60-80% Canadian shelf share in 6-12 months.
  • Cashew-based cheeses from Violife erode oat cream market share in 12-24 months.
  • Oversaturated mac & cheese slashes Daiya Walmart sales 30-50% in 3-6 months.

What makes Daiya Foods unique

  • Daiya's Oat Cream™ blend enables dairy-like melt in shreds, earning 2025 FABI Award.
  • First-to-market dairy-free cream cheese packets target foodservice grab-and-go.
  • Gluten-free, dairy-free pizza crust launched at Pizza Expo 2026 for operators.

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Funding

Total Funding

$405M

Above

Industry Average

Funded Over

1 Rounds

Acquisition funding comparison data is currently unavailable. We're working to provide this information soon!
Acquisition Funding Comparison
Coming Soon

Benefits

Health Insurance

401(k) Company Match

Unlimited Paid Time Off

Flexible Work Hours

Paid Vacation

Hybrid Work Options

Company News

PMQ Pizza
Mar 17th, 2026
Daiya launches Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Pizza Crust for U.S. Operators.

Daiya launches Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Pizza Crust for U.S. Operators. Mar 17 2026 Food & Ingredients At Pizza Expo 2026, Daiya will introduce a new solution designed to help operators keep every guest at the table. From March 24-26, Daiya will debut its Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Pizza Crust for U.S. foodservice operators, alongside its Dairy-Free Mozzarella Shreds, recognized with a 2025 FABI Award for innovation. When dietary needs vary across a table, operators risk losing entire parties. According to a recent Daiya study of away-from-home pizza consumers*, 64% of Gen Z and 50% of Millennials say they would choose another restaurant if gluten-free options aren't available, often taking their group with them. Daiya's inclusive pizza solutions help operators eliminate that "veto vote" and turn lost traffic into incremental orders, the company said in a press release. Daiya's new Gluten-Free Pizza Crust was developed specifically for foodservice kitchens. The company said the crust delivers a crispy texture, balanced flavor and reliable performance in high-heat ovens while remaining plant-based, gluten-free and dairy-free. This clean-label, versatile crust allows operators to expand menu options without adding complexity to back-of-house operations. "Operators using Daiya's dairy-free mozzarella shreds have told us the same thing again and again - they need a gluten-free, dairy-free crust that performs like the rest of their menu," said Mike Fitzgerald, vice president of U.S. sales at Daiya. "We tested and refined this crust in Canadian restaurant kitchens, and now we're excited to bring it to the U.S. market so operators can serve more guests without adding back-of-house complexity." The new crust pairs with Daiya's Dairy-Free Mozzarella Shreds, recognized with a 2025 FABI Award and crafted with the company's proprietary Daiya Oat Cream Blend. Designed for foodservice applications, the company said its dairy-free mozzarella melts, stretches and browns like traditional cheese and can be used as a 1:1 replacement to dairy mozzarella shreds. Together, the gluten-free, dairy-free crust and dairy-free mozzarella give operators flexibility to offer multiple menu options from a single platform: * Gluten-Free Pizza * Dairy-Free Pizza * Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Pizza That flexibility matters as guest expectations continue to rise. Daiya's 2026 Away-From-Home Consumer Study* found that 72% of Millennials and 58% of all consumers actively seek gluten-free options on menus, making inclusive offerings a growing driver of traffic and loyalty. Beyond pizza, Daiya's Dairy-Free Mozzarella Shreds perform across a wide range of applications including calzones, fried appetizer toppings, cheese fries and salads, helping operators extend inclusive menu options while simplifying sourcing, the company said. Operators attending Pizza Expo can see, taste and experience Daiya's pizza solutions firsthand at Booth #1503. *Daiya Away-From-Home Consumer Preference Survey, January 2026.

vegconomist
May 22nd, 2025
Grab-And-Go Dairy-Free Cream Cheese Packets Added To Daiya’S Foodservice Portfolio

Daiya has introduced a new dairy-free cream cheese in single-serve 1oz packets aimed at foodservice operators, marking the first product of its kind in this format. The product, made with Daiya’s proprietary Oat Cream™ blend, delivers a texture and flavor intended to replicate traditional dairy cream cheese.“:”Consumers want convenience without compromise” Single-serve dairy cream cheese portions are common in cafés, hotels, and grab-and-go outlets, but until now, no comparable dairy-free option has been available. According to Daiya, their new cream cheese packets respond to increased consumer demand for plant-based alternatives, particularly during breakfast hours, without sacrificing convenience or quality.The packets are designed for portability and ease of use in foodservice environments, providing a smooth, spreadable texture suitable for bagels, toast, and similar applications. The product is allergen-friendly, carrying Halal, Kosher-Pareve, and Non-GMO Project Verified certifications.© Daiya. Convenience without compromiseJohn Kelly, Daiya’s chief marketing officer, commented: “Consumers want convenience without compromise—this delivers both, while giving foodservice operators a seamless solution to meet growing demand.”Daiya presented this new product at the National Restaurant Association Show (NRA) in Chicago this week, where it was displayed alongside other new offerings including a Dairy-Free Cheese Sauce designed for nachos, hot dogs, and comparable dishes. This sauce features a melt-ready consistency and is developed for back-of-house efficiency with pump compatibility and boil-ready packaging.The company just received a Food Beverage Innovation (FABI) award from the NRA Show for its dairy-free mozzarella shreds, and also recently updated its dairy-free cream cheese and mac cheese products with improved formulations using the Oat Cream blend to enhance taste and texture

VeganHub
May 22nd, 2025
Grab-and-Go Dairy-Free Cream Cheese Packets Added to Daiya's Foodservice Portfolio

At the National Restaurant Association Show, Daiya showcased their new cream cheese packets alongside other new products, such as a Dairy-Free Cheese Sauce designed for nachos and hot dogs.

Daiya Foods
May 14th, 2025
Daiya Introduces First-to-Market Dairy-Free Cream Cheese Packets for Foodservice Operators

Daiya introduces first-to-market Dairy-Free Cream Cheese Packets for foodservice operators.

VeganHub
May 12th, 2025
Daiya, No Meat Factory & Other Plant-Based Companies Recognized at FABI Awards 2025

Daiya, No Meat Factory & Other plant-based companies recognized at FABI Awards 2025.

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