• by Teresa Buyikian , August 10, 2023

Soldiers can eat healthfully, too.

Food meal delivery franchise Clean Eatz Kitchen has launched a partnership with the United States Department of Defense to provide military bases with reliable access to nutritionist-approved meals.

The program recently kicked off with Clean Eatz Kitchen’s first delivery to a U.S. military base in Iwakuni, Japan, earlier this month. This global expansion marks the first time the chain has operated outside the U.S.

The Wilmington, North Carolina franchise operates almost 100 fast casual brink and mortar locations nationwide, as well as providing home meal Heat & Eat delivery service. While consumer access is still only available in the U.S., the brand is hoping the government partnership will help expand its reach internationally.

According to a report issued by Grand View Research, the global meal kit delivery services market was valued at $20.54 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a rate of 15.3% annually from 2023 to 2030.

The subset ‘Heat & Eat’ segment is projected to register even faster growth during the forecast period, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.7% from 2023 to 2030. Heat & Eat meal kit delivery service providers like Clean Eatz offer meals prepared by chefs to consumers, allowing them to select which meals they would like to receive. These kits have been gaining popularity not just in the U.S. but across the globe.

The report also noted that Asia Pacific is the fastest-growing market for meal delivery and is expected to witness a compound annual growth rate of 16.7% from 2023 to 2030. The market is expected to witness incredible growth in the region due to the convenience and freshness of the products.

Additional players in the Heat & Eat category include Blue Apron, EveryPlate, Freshly, Gobble, Green Chef and Factor45 and Hello Fresh.