With Gen Z craving high-protein, low-sugar treats, Protein Pints scoops up shelf space across the country
Protein Pints, a better-for-you ice cream startup founded just two years ago, is gaining serious ground in the competitive frozen dessert market.
The brand, launched by then 21-year-old entrepreneurs Michael Meadows and Paul Reiss, is now on shelves at major national retailers, including Target, Albertsons and Sprouts, marking a dramatic leap from just 14 Michigan stores to approximately 8,000 locations by the end of this month.
The brand’s traction comes at a time when the functional and better-for-you food category is booming, especially among Gen Z and millennial consumers who prioritize nutritional value over sugar. Protein Pints offers five flavors—Cookie Dough, Peanut Butter Chip, Chocolate, Mint Chip, and Strawberry—each delivering 30 grams of protein per pint and made with natural ingredients and 85% less sugar than traditional ice cream.
“The consumer response to Protein Pints has been nothing short of phenomenal,” Protein Pints co-founder and CEO Meadows said. “Our velocities are exceeding expectations, demonstrating a clear demand for a protein-packed ice cream that doesn’t compromise on taste. Our nationwide expansion into leading retailers in just a few short months validates consumer demand for Protein Pints, positioning our brand as a clear category disruptor in the $14 billion frozen dessert market.”
Protein Pints isn’t the only one capitalizing on the health-forward ice cream scene.
West Hollywood-based Two Spoons Creamery has launched a high-protein, zero-added-sugar ice cream that’s proudly “GLP-1 compatible” in flavors such as Rocky Road, Strawberries & Cream, Caramel Swirl and Fudgy Brownie. Each container packs 30 grams of protein and is sweetened with allulose, a low-calorie sweetener that has been shown to stimulate the release of GLP-1 naturally.
