Gen Z founders are rewriting the rules of the food industry, one viral brand at a time. Forbes’ 2026 30 Under 30 Food and Drink list spotlighted several young entrepreneurs skipping the slow product cycles of legacy brands. Seeq, a fruity, clear protein powder, was created by first-time founders Ben Zaver (27) and Hannah Perez (28), and is projected to hit $30M this year. Sauz, a pasta sauce brand launched in 2023 by childhood friends Troy Bonde (26) and Winston Alfieri (25), is already outselling legacy brands at Erewhon. What these new DTC brands share is creating products inspired by trending food on social media from day one, not rolled out as limited-edition promos, and iterating with consumers in real time. While legacy brands scramble to slap “hot honey” on existing SKUs, Gen Z founders are building entire companies around what’s already trending. (FoodChain Magazine)
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