Mark Smith
This article showcases our top picks for the best Illinois based Food and Beverage companies. These startups and companies are taking a variety of approaches to innovating the Food and Beverage industry, but are all exceptional companies well worth a follow.
We tried to pick companies across the size spectrum from cutting edge startups to established brands.
We selected these startups and companies for exceptional performance in one of these categories:
- Innovation
- Innovative ideas
- Innovative route to market
- Innovative product
- Growth
- Exceptional growth
- Exceptional growth strategy
- Management
- Societal impact
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Top Illinois Food and Beverage Startups
Data sourced from Crunchbase and SemRush.
Grubhub
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Grubhub is a online and mobile food ordering and delivery marketplace dedicated to connecting diners with local restaurants.
Tovala
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Tovala is a food-tech company that offers a meal service paired with a countertop smart oven.
Tock
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Tock is a cloud-based platform with flexible data structures that provide comprehensive restaurant and event booking services.
Home Chef
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Home Chef is a provider of subscription-based meal kit delivery services to help people to save time while enjoying home cooking.
Nature’s Fynd
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Nature’s Fynd is a food company producing a protein from a microbe discovered in the geothermal springs.
McDonald’s
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McDonald’s is a global foodservice retailer generating revenue through company-owned restaurants, franchise royalties, and licensing pacts.
Bartesian
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Bartesian offers a capsule-based machine that enables individuals to make homemade cocktails.
Farmer’s Fridge
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Farmer’s Fridge provides an automated smart fridge that serves salads, bowls, snacks, and more.
Provi
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Provi is a communication platform that simplifies the operations for bars, restaurants, and retailers in ordering booze.
Fooda
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Fooda is a food technology platform that connects restaurants to people while at work.
US Foods
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US Foods is a foodservice distributor that provides its customers with innovative food offerings and a suite of business solutions.
Vital Proteins
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Vital Proteins engages in providing natural, whole food proteins that support animal well-being and sustainable eco-friendly practices.
Factor_
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Factor is a subscription-based prepared meal delivery service that delivers dietitian-designed, chef-crafted meals.
S2G Ventures
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S2G Ventures is a multi-stage venture fund focusing on investments in food and agriculture industries.
Chowly
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Chowly provides innovative tech solutions to connect restaurant POS platforms with third-party online ordering solutions.
FanFood
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FanFood is a mobile ordering and concession management platform for sports and live events.
Mondelez International
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Mondelez International is a branded food and beverage company that specializes in snack foods such as biscuits, chocolate, gum, and candies.
OneSpace
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OneSpace positions your CPG brand front and center on the digital shelf with a suite of tools and on-demand services.
FoodBoss
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FoodBoss is an all in one online food and alcohol delivery search engine that comprises data from food services companies.
Quicklly
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Quicklly is an online marketplace that offers a wide range of Indian groceries and cuisines.
MUSH Foods
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MUSH Foods is a manufacturer and distributor of ready-to-eat oats.
Innovative Tap Solutions LLC
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World leader in self pouring beverage technology solutions for beer, wine , coffee, cocktails, cider and anything else you can put in a keg
OjaExpress
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OjaExpress is an ecommerce company that offers a digital marketplace for cultural groceries.
Crafty
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Crafty is a food and drink company that helps offices craft better workplaces with food, beverage, events, and alcohol management.
Wise Apple
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Wise Apple makes life easier by making lunch better – by delivering fresh, custom, ready-to-serve lunches and snacks directly to your door.
Protein2o
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Protein2o provides drinks that promote a healthy, active lifestyle through the daily use of protein.
Tiesta Tea
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Tiesta Tea is a provider of tea of various flavors that blends to fit every taste and lifestyle.
Hello water
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Hello water is a fiber infused water with the perfect balance of flavor and sweetness to help aid in a healthy lifestyle.
BrewBike
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BrewBike serves cold brew coffee at lean retail locations and through wholesale accounts.
World’s Finest Chocolate
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World’s Finest Chocolate has crafted premium chocolate directly from the cocoa bean.
PRE Brands
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PRE Brands is a food processing company that specializes in providing grass-fed and finished beef products.
GoLogic
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GoLogic creates turnkey, digital solutions for small businesses to increase revenue opportunities and deepen customer relationships.
ForeLight
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ForeLight is developting the biomanufacturing industry through their proprietary photosynthetic production technology.
Rumi Spice
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Rumi Spice is a spice company that brings exotic spices to enhance the flavor of foods.
Here Holdings
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Here Holdings creates food and beverage products in Illinois using Midwest produce.
Vroom Delivery
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Vroom Delivery is the first eCommerce platform specifically designed for the $233B convenience store industry
SuckerPunch Gourmet
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SuckerPunch Gourmet is a food company dedicated to bold flavor, all natural ingredients, and a touch of spice.
Simple Mills
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Delicious and nutrient-rich baking mixes made of simple ingredients you’ll fall in love with!
Food Genius
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Food Genius is a leading foodservice data provider specializing in gathering, preparing, and serving foodservice menu data and analytics
Jovian Technologies
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AI SaaS platform for Food & Beverage Competitive Intelligence & Consumer data Analytics
Banyan Technologies, Inc.
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B2B local food e-commerce platform
COCO5
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COCO5 offers a sports drink brand with hydration benefits, naturally occurring electrolytes, and no artificial ingredients.
Radish
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Radish delivers delicious ready to eat meals straight to your door in under 20 minutes.
The Middleby Corp
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The Middleby Corporation is a provider of the foodservice and food processing equipment industry.
Yummy Future
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Yummy Future provides robotic solutions for food and beverage retailing.
Windward Brands
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Windward Brands offers dessert, ice cream, and frozen novelty food products.
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Sitka Salmon Shares is a community-supported fishery delivering premium, blast-frozen, wild seafood shares to members in the lower 48.
Fronen Foods
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Fronen Foods is a natural food company offering Frönen, a non-dairy ice cream alternative that is low in calories, sugar, and fat.
J.K. Williams Distilling
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J.K. Williams Distilling is a distillery producing craft whiskey and spirits.
Local Foods
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Local Foods helps bring farm-to-table to life by connecting small providers with shoppers all across Chicago.
Proper Cookie Dough
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Plant-based, superfood packed, edible/bakeable cookie dough.
For True Foodies Only
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True Foodies is the culinary world in your pocket.
Grablr
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Delivery of food, beverage, and merchandise to your seat at stadiums.
Famous Industries
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Famous Industries owns and operates a liquor store.
Ingredion Incorporated
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Ingredion Incorporated is a leading global ingredient solutions provider to the food, beverage, brewing and pharmaceutical industries
Portillos
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Portillo’s is serving fresh, homemade food in nostalgic themed restaurants.
KeHE Distributors
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KeHE Distributors is a fresh and natural, organic wholesale foods distributor.
TreeHouse Foods
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TreeHouse Foods rises above to provide quality food products primarily for the private label and foodservice industries.
Mel-O-Cream Donuts International
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Mel-O-Cream Donuts International is a manufacturer of frozen donuts.
ArrowStream
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Supply Chain Management Platform for Foodservice
Pollyanna Brewing Company
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Pollyanna Brewing experiments with local fruits & spices, seasonal lagers, barrel-aging, & wild yeast/bacteria to produce signature beers
Apologue
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Apologue is a manufacturing company of liqueurs are made from entirely natural, non-GMO ingredients.
Sipp Brands
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Sipp Brands produces, markets, and invests in wine projects.
Weber
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Weber is a privately held American manufacturer of charcoal, gas, and electric outdoor grills with related accessories.
Because, Animals
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Because Animals is creating cultured meat to feed the world’s pets.
Innova Flavors
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Innova Flavors is a company that specializes in creating customized meat and savory flavours.
Mead Johnson Nutrition
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Mead Johnson Nutrition manufactures and sells infant formula, children’s nutrition, and other nutritional products.
Greco and Sons
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Greco and Sons is a food and beverages company that provides meats, cheeses, olive oil, and tomatoes.
Synergy Flavors
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Synergy Flavors is a manufacturer and supplier of flavorings, extracts and essences, with a truly global footprint.
AngleWare
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AngleWare The Tilted Pet Bowl is the pet bowl with the Contour bottom for food or water with an inclined bottom surface intended.
Kraft
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Kraft Foods is a grocery conglomerate that manufactures and markets a range of food and beverage products.
Prommus Brands
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Prommus is a food and beverage company that specializes in the manufacturing, distribution, and selling of vegetable and fruit-based foods.
Seasons Sparkling
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Seasons Sparkling creates organic plant-based sparkling waters, presents them with contemporary art, and delivers nationwide.
JuiceRx
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JuiceRx is a manufacturer and retailer of organic juice cleanses and fresh-pressed juices.
The Quaker Oats Company
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Quaker Oats Company is a Chicago-based American manufacturer of oatmeal and other food and beverage products.
Merieux Nutrisciences Corporation
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Merieux Nutrisciences Corporation is mainly focused on dedicating consumer health services and solutions for food, environment and cosmetic.
Saddleback Chocolates
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Saddleback Chocolates offers premium chocolates and classic equine gifts.
Nurture Life
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Nurture Life is a food company that offers organic and ready-to-eat meals for babies, toddlers, and kids.
Sente Foundry
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Sente is an international startup investment and innovation platform.
Great Kitchens Food Company
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Great Kitchens Food Company is a U.S. manufacturer of private label take-and-bake pizzas and flatbreads.
Dream Kitchen
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One of the biggest obstacles to starting a food business in Illinois is the high cost of setting up a commercial kitchen.
Allied Buying Corporation
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Allied Buying Corporation (ABC) is the leading buying group in the Foodservice Equipment and Supply Industry.
Kiki’s Gluten Free Foods
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Kiki’s Gluten Free Foods is a producer and manufacturer of gluten-free food products.
WOW
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WOW is an online content provider in entertainment, health, technology, food, lifestyle, family, sports, and finance.
Quantock Brewery
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Quantock Brewery brews quality real ales in cask and bottles by using traditional craft brewing techniques and natural ingredients.
Levy Restaurants
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Levy Restaurants is a hospitality company that runs restaurants and vending machines in entertainment and sporting venues.
Hidden Valley
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Hidden Valley is an American brand of salad dressing made from buttermilk, salt, garlic, onion, herbs, and spices.
Edward Don & Company
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A Woodridge, Ill.-based distributor of foodservice equipment and supplies.
Reyes Holdings
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Reyes Holdings is American foodservice wholesaler and distributor.
Tenth and Blake Beer Company
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Tenth and Blake Beer Company is a family of craft breweries, import beers and hard ciders.
Vrai
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Vrai creates craft alcoholic beverages that are every bit as good as what you’d get in a cocktail bar, but in a can.
Noon Whistle Brewing
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Noon Whistle Brewing is craft brewery that produces craft beers and beverages.
EcoWatch
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EcoWatch is an environmental website reporting on environmental news, green living, and sustainable businesses.
Topco Associates
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Topco Associates is a provider of an innovative business solutions for its food industry member-owners and customers.
Wrigley
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Wrigley is a leader in confections with a wide range of product offerings including gum, mints, hard and chewy candies, and lollipops.
Ferrara Candy
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Ferrara Candy is virtual tours of the making of Lemonheads, Red Hots, Gummies, Jawbusters, Boston Baked Beans and Atomic Fireballs.
Summit Wine Tastings
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Founded in 2010, Summit Wine Tastings, LLC is a wine and spirits marketing and promotions company based in Chicago, Illinois.
The Buona Companies
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Buona is a quick casual restaurant chain and caterer that features Original Italian Beef, Pizza, Burgers, Hot Dogs, Sandwiches and Salads.
