UnBun Continues to Grow and Meet Dietary Needs

UnBun, a keto, paleo, gluten-free, grain-free bakery company (formerly known as the Keto Buns) was launched in late 2017. The story begins very simply, with founder Gus wanting to be able to enjoy his favorite burgers and sandwiches, but without the guilt and empty carbs. He identified some problems:

• Gluten-free options at all restaurants are essentially the equivalent of sugar, preservatives, and chemical binders/gums, which are often stale & crumbly!
• Lettuce buns are typically the only available low-carb option, if any.
• Lettuce buns are messy, not filling or satisfying, and let’s be honest, no one should have to call lettuce a bun.

Having grown up in his parent’s diner, cooking his whole life and baking himself – Gus took to his lab, otherwise known as his 1-bedroom apartment kitchen, to create a product that was healthy and actually tasted good.  Initially just baking his buns for himself and friends, it was only after a healthy push by friends and family that he decided to take his product to market.

With the rising popularity of low-carb diets such as paleo and ketogenic, there was an opportunity to satisfy these markets as well as the gluten-free, grain-free, and general health-conscious community.

With a superior product, such as the UnBun, it is no surprise it has gained much praise and notoriety in such a short period.  However, the brand started with humble beginnings, starting with its hometown of Toronto, Canada, reaching a handful of independent brick & mortar natural food retailers, online grocers, and foodservice businesses. It wasn’t long before word started to spread to a larger audience that there was a gluten-free, grain-free, paleo, and keto product on the market that actually tasted delicious.

The first major success was an [exclusive] opportunity with popular burger joint, The Burger’s Priest. They launched a marketing campaign to promote their first and only publicly announced gluten-free bun option; this was the type of attention the UnBun needed to pick up speed.  The growth was rapid, and the biggest challenge was how to keep up with demand, and not just in Canada any longer, our neighbors across the border caught wind and needed to know how they could get their hands on the product.

Launching in LA’s iconic natural foods retailer, Erewhon Market, in the summer of 2018, was a pivotal moment in the unBun story. Merely 10 months after it first hit the stands the UnBun was reaching the right people with the right kind of influence to propel the UnBun to record-breaking sales.

The simple goal of the company is to give the growing percentage of keto, paleo & gluten-free customers a way to enjoy all of their favorite foods without ever cheating, breaking their diets or exposing themselves to ingredients they’re intolerant to. The problem is clear, that customers are demanding it and the simple solution is for restaurants and retailers to offer the UnBun.  While the brand continues to evolve, increase its availability across North America, and expand into new markets, there is no doubt that the brand is already a success.