Plantega Is Veganizing Bodega Classics

"A company that partners with neighborhood bodegas to bring a fully developed plant-based deli program directly to corner stores. After a 2020 pilot at three Bronx and Brooklyn shops, the initial idea of branded fridges gave way to a griddle-focused menu of 14 sandwiches, subs, and burritos — including a BEC with Umaro bacon and Vertage American cheddar, a chopped cheese made from Karana burger patties, quesadillas using Daring “original chicken,” and delivery-only items like a chicken fajita wrap and loaded nacho fries. Its fried‑chicken sandwich is described as a convincing facsimile: messy in a realistic way, with crunchy thin patty and faux mayo and cheese. The company selects products, delivers them to deli cooks for testing, develops menus, trains staff, supplies ingredients, organizes and labels deli storage, and provides physical menus and sidewalk A-frames. Its business model charges distributors a placement fee and a nominal fee for product orders while splitting online delivery revenue with stores. Since expanding, it has grown to more than 60 locations across the five boroughs and Yonkers, employs a small full‑time team (including an operations manager with bodega roots), and has leaned on owner networks — particularly within the Yemeni community — to scale, with notable late‑night demand for vegan sandwiches." - Chris Crowley, Hugo Yu