Launched in August 2014 by brothers Brian and Scott Rudolph, Banza - pasta made from chickpeas - promises to rival the taste and texture of regular wheat pasta, but has twice the protein and four times the fiber, and is now in c.4,500 stores nationwide from Sprouts to Meijer and Shoprite.
While non-wheat-based pasta is hardly new, rice-, corn-, soy-, lentil- and quinoa-based products are still seen by many consumers as niche items for people avoiding gluten, argues Banza, which is also gluten-free [ingredients: chickpeas, tapioca, pea protein, xanthan gum], but is aimed squarely at mainstream consumers who are looking for pasta with fewer empty carbs and more nutrition, but are not prepared to compromise on taste or texture (no mushy pasta).
“The brand’s chickpea pasta will enter over 1700 new stores, capping off a year in which Banza tripled its retail distribution, and putting Banza on the map in every state across the country. Penne and shells are launching chain-wide this month, and Banza’s new spaghetti shape will debut in 315 stores. Banza will be $2.99 on shelves at Target."
“Our goal is to bring a better pasta to more people” said Brian Rudolph, co-founder of Banza. “This launch in Target is a tangible step towards that goal. We’re so grateful for Target’s belief in our potential, and for the Banza fans who made our first 315 stores a success.”
Watch our video with Banza at Expo West earlier this year: