Just Bare® Delivers $1 Billion in Annual Retail Sales as Pilgrim’s Accelerates Momentum in Prepared Foods
•February 19, 2026
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Why It Matters
The milestone validates Pilgrim’s strategy to upscale value‑added prepared foods, positioning JBS as a dominant player in convenient protein solutions and reshaping competitive dynamics in the frozen chicken market.
Key Takeaways
- •Just Bare hits $1 billion sales in 2025.
- •45% annual growth, fastest category momentum.
- •Market share rose from 1% to 13% in three years.
- •Frozen portfolio drives $750 million of revenue.
- •New Georgia plant to meet rising demand.
Pulse Analysis
The prepared‑foods sector is being reshaped by consumers demanding quick, clean‑label meals, and Just Bare’s rapid ascent illustrates how a focused brand can capture that shift. By emphasizing antibiotic‑free, preservative‑free chicken and a 1.5‑minute prep promise, the brand taps into health‑conscious convenience, a combination that has propelled it to the top of the fully cooked chicken category. This consumer‑centric approach aligns with broader industry trends where premium, ready‑to‑eat proteins are outpacing traditional grocery staples.
Pilgrim’s strategic investments underpin Just Bare’s growth. Aggressive distribution expansion across mass, club, and grocery retailers boosted shelf presence, while operational excellence—driven by JBS’s scale—enabled cost‑effective production of both frozen and fresh lines. The $750 million frozen portfolio underscores the profitability of high‑volume, low‑margin products when paired with efficient supply chains. Moreover, the upcoming Walker County facility signals a commitment to domestic capacity, reducing reliance on imports and shortening lead times, which strengthens the brand’s ability to meet surging demand.
Looking ahead, Just Bare’s innovation pipeline—featuring expanded Oven Roasted varieties and lightly breaded options—positions it to defend market share against emerging competitors. The brand’s success pressures rivals to accelerate clean‑label product development and invest in rapid‑cook technologies. For investors, the $1 billion sales benchmark not only validates Pilgrim’s prepared‑foods strategy but also enhances JBS’s valuation narrative as a global leader in value‑added protein, suggesting continued earnings upside as the convenience protein market expands.
Just Bare® Delivers $1 Billion in Annual Retail Sales as Pilgrim’s Accelerates Momentum in Prepared Foods
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
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