Just Bare® Delivers $1 Billion in Annual Retail Sales as Pilgrim's Accelerates Momentum in Prepared Foods
MWN-AI** Summary
Just Bare®, a rapidly expanding chicken brand under Pilgrim's Pride (NASDAQ: PPC), has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing $1 billion in annual retail sales for 2025. This accomplishment highlights the brand's impressive 45% growth rate, marking it as the fastest-growing segment within the chicken category. CEO Fabio Sandri attributed this success to Pilgrim’s strategic investments in innovation and operational capabilities.
In the last year, Just Bare has gained substantial market share, rising from 1% to 13% over three years, and has risen to become the top brand in the fully cooked chicken sales sector. This ascension is bolstered by robust distribution growth across various retail platforms, including mass, club, and grocery chains. A notable contributor to its success is the frozen fully cooked portfolio, which alone generates over $750 million in yearly sales.
Just Bare's Oven Roasted line has been particularly appealing to consumers, noted for its clean-label ingredients and quick preparation time of only 1.5 minutes, catering to the demands for convenient, quality meal options. Sergio Nahuz, Head of Prepared Foods, remarked on how the scalability and innovation potential within the JBS family has significantly propelled Just Bare's performance.
Pilgrim's long-term strategy, supported by its majority shareholder JBS, aims to enhance its value-added and prepared foods capabilities globally. In line with this vision, a new prepared chicken facility is under development in Walker County, Ga., while JBS highlighted Just Bare's growth and future potential during its recent CAGNY presentation. Just Bare® is dedicated to delivering high-quality chicken, manufactured with natural ingredients, aligning with its philosophy that “Bare is Better™.”
MWN-AI** Analysis
Just Bare®'s impressive ascent to over $1 billion in annual retail sales exemplifies strategic execution within Pilgrim’s Pride (NASDAQ: PPC), reflecting growing consumer demand for high-quality chicken products. With a 45% annual growth rate, Just Bare has successfully transitioned from a niche player to a market leader in the frozen and fresh chicken category. This surge can be attributed to the brand's focus on innovation, operational efficiency, and an understanding of consumer preferences for clean-label, convenient foods.
Investors should consider the implications of this growth for Pilgrim's Pride and its parent company, JBS USA. The significant market share gain—from 1% to 13% in just three years—positions Just Bare favorably against competitors in the substantial prepared foods segment. The continuous expansion across mass, club, and grocery retailers indicates robust distribution strategies that leverage consumer trends toward convenience and quality.
Looking ahead, Pilgrim’s strategic investments, such as the development of a new prepared chicken facility in Walker County, Georgia, highlight its commitment to meeting rising demand. This expansion will bolster production capabilities and support Just Bare's trajectory in the market.
Overall, the positive momentum surrounding Just Bare is a signal for investors to monitor. As the brand amplifies its presence within the value-added category, it could significantly enhance Pilgrim’s growth metrics. Additionally, the operational strengths of JBS as a parent company could provide added security and innovation potential.
In summary, those investing in Pilgrim’s Pride should view Just Bare's success as a key driver of future performance, particularly in a marketplace increasingly dominated by consumer demand for nutritious, convenient, and high-quality food options. Fostering alignment with this evolving consumer sentiment could translate to robust financial results in the upcoming quarters.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
GREELEY, Colo., Feb. 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Just Bare®, the fast-growing chicken brand within the Pilgrim’s (NASDAQ: PPC) prepared foods portfolio, has surpassed $1 billion in annual retail sales in 2025. With a 45% annual growth rate and the fastest sales momentum in the category, Just Bare has rapidly evolved from a niche brand into a leading force in frozen and fresh chicken.
“Crossing the $1 billion threshold is a testament not only to the strength of the Just Bare brand, but also to the strategic investments our organization has made in innovation, operational excellence, and consumer-driven growth,” said Fabio Sandri, CEO of Pilgrim’s. “This milestone reflects our team’s commitment to building a modern, high-value prepared foods portfolio – and Just Bare is leading the way.”
In 2025, Just Bare delivered strong market share gains and expanded significantly across major retailers. The brand now holds the #1 position in sales pace within the fully cooked chicken category and has grown its market share from 1% to 13% in just three years. This momentum comes from double-digit distribution growth across mass, club and grocery stores, along with exceptional performance from its frozen fully cooked portfolio, which now generates more than $750 million in annual sales. Just Bare also continued to build on the success of its Oven Roasted platform, which has attracted consumers with its clean-label ingredients and fast 1.5 minute prep time – making it an appealing solution for shoppers seeking convenient, high-quality meals.
“The success of Just Bare reflects the scale, innovation pipeline, and operational strength that comes with being part of the global JBS family,” said Sergio Nahuz, Head of Prepared Foods. “Our collective investment in people, plants, and brands is enabling faster innovation and sustained superior performance.”
Just Bare’s acceleration reinforces the long-term strategy of JBS, majority shareholder of Pilgrim’s, to grow its value-added and prepared foods capabilities globally. A new prepared chicken facility is currently being built in Walker County, Ga. – to produce Just Bare products and meet rising demand for high-quality, convenient protein solutions.
This week, JBS presented an in-depth look of Just Bare’s growth, innovation roadmap, and category leadership during its 2026 CAGNY presentation, illustrating how the brand is accelerating the expansion and strength of the prepared foods business across the JBS portfolio.
About Just Bare®
Just Bare® provides premium fresh and frozen chicken made from all-natural chicken raised with no antibiotics, no additives, and no preservatives. The brand is built on a promise of simplicity, quality, and transparency—delivering chicken consumers can feel confident serving at home. From fresh, case-ready products to its expanding Oven Roasted and Lightly Breaded platforms, Just Bare offers families a flavorful, trustworthy alternative to traditional frozen chicken, rooted in its belief that “Bare is Better™.”
About Pilgrim’s Pride
Pilgrim’s employs approximately 63,000 people and operates protein processing plants and prepared-foods facilities in 14 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, the U.K, the Republic of Ireland and continental Europe. The Company’s primary distribution is through retailers and foodservice distributors. For more information, please visit www.pilgrims.com.
About JBS USA
?JBS USA is a leading global food company providing diversified, high-quality products to customers in approximately 100 countries on six continents. Headquartered in Greeley, Colorado, the company produces meat and poultry products, a portfolio of recognized brands and innovative premium foods. JBS USA is also a majority shareholder of Pilgrim’s, the largest poultry producer in the world. Visit jbsfoodsgroup.com to learn more.
Media Contact:
Nikki Richardson
JBS USA/Pilgrim’s Communications
nikki.richardson@jbssa.com
FAQ**
How does the impressive growth of Just Bare® contribute to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation (PPC) overall strategy for expanding its prepared foods portfolio?
What specific investments has Pilgrim's Pride Corporation (PPC) made to support the innovation and operational excellence of the Just Bare® brand?
Can you elaborate on the factors behind Just Bare® achieving a 45% annual growth rate, and how this impacts Pilgrim's Pride Corporation (PPC) market positioning?
With Just Bare® reaching over $1 billion in annual sales, what are Pilgrim's Pride Corporation (PPC) future plans to maintain this momentum in the competitive chicken market?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Pilgrim's Pride Corporation (NASDAQ: PPC).
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