More than 900 Walmart stores are now carrying a line of steamed seafood meals, introduced on Tuesday as part of a partnership between casual-dining seafood stalwart Joe’s Crab Shack and Gourmet Express, which specializes in frozen skillet meals.
Priced at USD 7 to 9 (EUR 5.34 to 6.87), the two-person meals will be offered by other retailers next year. The product line will also grow to include Joe’s Crab Shack appetizers in the spring.
The initial product launch features four seafood entrées that steam in the microwave in less than 10 minutes: Cod with Cajun lemon butter sauce, parmesan basil orzo and petite green beans; salmon with honey Dijon sauce, jasmine rice and broccoli florets; salmon with sesame ginger sauce, sweet potatoes in dark sugar sauce and petite green beans; and mahimahi with tropical salsa, coconut rice and sugar snap peas.
Joe’s Crab Shack Eat-at-Home Meals for 2 are designed to appeal to time-strapped consumers seeking affordable, healthful meal solutions at home, according to Robin Ahearn, senior VP of marketing & menu for Houston-based Ignite Restaurant Group, Joe’s parent company.
The meals contain simple ingredients with no fillers, additives or trans fat, and three of the four meals are gluten free.
“Through our partnership with Gourmet Express, we’re able to offer Joe’s Crab Shack fans an opportunity to further enjoy our cuisine from home, while introducing our brand to new market segments,” said Ahearn.
Joe’s operates more than 100 restaurants in 30 U.S. states. The casual seafood chain was acquired from Landry’s Restaurants by Ignite’s forerunner, JCS Holdings, in 2006.
Gourmet Express is also based in Texas and has 13 different skillet meals packaged under the Gourmet Dining brand.
November 30, 2010
