Before launching the Salsa God brand, Mayans was working at a securitization law firm in New York when the 2008 financial...
Problem
America is searching for authentic salsa
According to recent studies, salsa is consistently ranked in the top 5 condiments in the US, and salsa is the 2nd most popular condiment in terms of sales, even outselling ketchup. For the 213.6 million American salsa consumers, there is an overwhelming selection of salsa brands to choose from on store shelves, but the overwhelming majority of salsa brands have opted to sacrifice authenticity and flavor.
Why can't we buy chips & salsa together?
Chips and salsa are a classic snack enjoyed by millions of Americans, but consumers have had to buy each separately. There are no convenient options for chips and salsa as an on-the-go snack.
Solution
Restaurant-quality salsa that tastes homemade
Salsa God's line of restaurant-style salsas use only the simplest, best ingredients for the most delicious tasting salsas on the planet.
Salsa God invented the Single-Serve Chips & Salsa Combo Pack
Salsa God has solved this problem with the release of our Grab & Go Chips & Salsa Combo Pack. The Combo Pack contains a 3oz bag of tortilla chips and a 4oz cup of salsa - perfect for a convenient snack on the go!
Product
Salsa God Salsas are 100% authentic
And we have created a variety of different salsas that speak to everybody's preferences.
We make sure that our salsas are accessible to many different dietary requirements and heat tolerances, and all our products are Non GMO Project Verified (Chips & Salsa Combo Pack to be certified in September 2019), vegan, allergen-free and gluten-free, and contain no added sugars (excludes Sriracha Salsa).
Salsa God brings the authentic taste of Mexico to consumers throughout the US. Shoppers can purchase our products at their local grocery stores and soon will be able to purchase our Grab & Go Chips & Salsa Combo Pack at convenience stores and grocery stores to be able to enjoy authentic chips & salsa at any time and any place.
Traction
Award-winning salsa
Since launching the brand in November 2016, Salsa God has achieved rapid consumer adoption and has won multiple national awards for our salsas, including 1st place wins at the 2019 Scovie Awards, the 2019 World Hot Sauce Awards, the 2018 International Flavor Awards and the 2017 World Hot Sauce Awards. We've also experienced tremendous growth partnering with prestigious retailers such as Whole Foods, Albertsons, Safeway, HEB, Harris Teeter, and others who are helping us reach a wider audience of salsa and Mexican food enthusiasts.
Customers
Made for and by salsa enthusiasts
Salsa God was created by and for salsa enthusiasts. By partnering with major retailers, we are getting our product into the hands of consumers across the US.
Funding
Salsa God has been bootstrapping its operations since launching the brand
We've been raising minimal amounts of capital through friends and family. We have outgrown our ability to raise sufficient capital from friends and family, so we are turning to the crowd!
Business model
Salsa God sells wholesale to distributors and large retail accounts
Salsa God branded products are typically resold to consumers at grocery stores in both the natural and conventional channels and convenience stores. We expect the number of convenience stores carrying Salsa God products to rapidly grow in 2019 and 2020 with the release of the Chips & Salsa Combo Pack.
Rapidly growing Points of Distribution
Salsa God was launched as a brand in November of 2016 into the Mid-Atlantic Region of Whole Foods Market. Since the launch of the brand, Salsa God's points of distribution ("PODs") have grown from 40 stores at the end of 2016 to a projected 2,500 at 2019 year end. Management estimates that there are approximately 1,750 PODs as of June 2019. The PODs represented in the chart below are based on actual sales reports and management's estimates of PODs not captured by sales reports.
Gross sales projected to continue growing
Salsa God's gross sales have increased from ~$8K in 2016 to ~$360K in 2018. We project continued growth in sales in 2019 as PODs continue to increase and as a result of the launch of the Chips & Salsa Combo Pack. As the two charts show, an increase in PODs is highly correlated with an increase in sales.
Salsa God's gross margins are attractive
2019 Sales YTD - Shelf Stable Salsas | Medium Fire Roasted Red | Hot Fire Roasted Red | Medium Salsa Verde | Hot Salsa Verde | Smoky Garlic Chipotle |
% of Gross Sales | 37.1% | 24.8% | 23.2% | 1.7% | 13.2% |
% Gross Margin | 41.0% | 39.4% | 18.4% | 16.5% | 44.1% |
Weighted Average % Gross Margin | 35.3% |
Salsa God has managed to create a line of authentic, flavorful salsas without having to sacrifice gross margins in order to do so. As is standard, Salsa God line prices all of its salsas (all flavors cost the same), and while two products have sub 20's margins, Salsa God's weighted average gross margins are very attractive at 35.3%. Management projects that the weighted average gross margins will expand to 36.6% after completion of the fundraising campaign by utilizing the additional capacity to take advantage of early payment discounts with suppliers.
The estimated gross margin percentage for the Chips & Salsa Combo pack is 40.0%, although this figure could vary slightly depending on certain cost inputs.
Chips & Salsa Combo Pack generated buzz at the 2019 Summer Fancy Food Show
Salsa God launched the Chips & Salsa Combo Pack at the 2019 Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City June 23rd - 25th. Buyers' reactions to the product was overwhelmingly positive and exceeded even our very high expectations. An all out sales effort is already underway to vastly expand Salsa God's PODs and to use the entry of the Combo Pack in new accounts to cross-sell the line of salsas.
With the launch of Salsa God’s Chips & Salsa Combo Pack, we will now be expanding our sales channels to include convenience stores (C-Stores) and e-commerce. The Chips & Salsa Combo Pack was specifically designed to be a Grab & Go item for resale at C-Stores. There are over 150,000 C-Stores in the United States, and we believe that Salsa God products will be successful in penetrating this sales channel. Additionally, we will be selling the Chips & Salsa Combo Pack through e-commerce platforms including Amazon.
Growing PODs + Growing Sales + Expanded Sales Channels + Hot Product = Perfect Time to Invest
Market
Salsa is a hot market: $1.3B and growing
Valued at over $1B in annual sales, the salsa market is one of America’s most successful food markets. Salsa alone is seeing significant annual growth, increasing by at least 1% each year over the past five years. For the 213M+ people who consume salsa annually, this top condiment has become a staple of most US households.
Mexican Food, in general, is a hot and growing food trend globally. As Mexican Food and salsa begins to gain acceptance around the world, the export markets for Salsa God will increase.
Competition
Salsa God stands out on store shelves
Whole Foods Market - California 2019
Southern California 2019
Whole Foods Market - Scottsdale, Arizona 2019
Salsa God has worked hard to differentiate itself from the competition in three main areas:
Vision and strategy
Up next: more products and bigger markets
If we reach our goal of $600K, Salsa God will be able to:
Increase nationwide sales penetration
Salsa God plans to roll out a strategic marketing campaign geared toward increasing sales in the Northeast, Midwest and Southeast Regions of the United States. Currently, Salsa God’s sales are concentrated in Texas and the Mid-Atlantic, Pacific Northwest and West Coast regions of the United States. The additional capital will help fund a comprehensive digital marketing and coupon marketing program to encourage additional repeat purchases and introduce consumers to the Salsa God brand!
Launch a line of fresh salsas
Salsa God has grand plans to launch a line of fresh, refrigerated salsas using recipes very similar to our award-winning shelf stable salsa recipes. Having a line of fresh salsas will complement our current product offerings and help Salsa God capture additional revenue in the salsa category!
Roll out our Chips & Salsa Combo Pack nationwide
We are very excited about the recent launch of Salsa God’s Chips & Salsa Combo Pack, and we are eager to expand production in order to enable us to roll out the product to grocery stores and convenience stores all across the U.S.
Increase export markets
Increase the number of export markets that we are able to serve. Currently Salsa God is exporting to Australia, and Salsa God is looking to expand into Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Kuwait, New Zealand, Panama, Peru, Taiwan and other markets.
Founders
Danny Mayans
Chief Amigo
Salsa God is the result of a lifelong love of the vibrant and delicious flavors of Mexican Food and the unique and lively culture of Mexico. Danny’s love for Mexican Food, and his passion for salsa began at an early age. Born and raised in Texas, he grew up eating Mexican food and made frequent trips to Mexico to visit relatives and experience the culture. Danny’s travels throughout Mexico gave him the opportunity to experience the regional flavors of different areas within Mexico and develop a palette for all types of amazing salsas. You could say that Danny was and is a Salsa Fanatic!