When Maxime Pouvreau moved from France to the U.S. over a decade ago, he didn’t expect a refrigerated snack to launch his journey as a founder. But one grocery aisle revealed a shocking gap—and an opportunity to bring premium pudding to American shelves.
“The pudding market was very bland,” he remembers. “Mostly artificial, overly sweet gelatins and puddings. I couldn’t find anything that felt homemade.”
As a classically trained pastry chef, Max brought a unique perspective to the market. He launched Petit Pot to elevate the everyday treat—made with real ingredients, French technique, and a rich, creamy texture rooted in rooted in pot de crème tradition.
Flavors like Pistachio, Vanilla Bean, and Crème Brûlée deliver deep, nuanced flavor profiles meant to be savored slowly. And while the pudding speaks for itself, the brand’s whimsical design and clean labels help it stand out on shelf.
Whole Foods Market CEO Jason Buechel once raved about Petit Pot as a “little luxury”—a description Max fully embraces.
“People are always on the go,” Max said. “Having ten or twenty minutes to yourself, enjoying a little treat—it just feels very special.”
A Premium Pudding with Better-For-You Indulgence
Petit Pot appeals to a wide range of consumers. Parents trust the short, recognizable ingredient list—free from artificial additives and packed with organic, natural flavors. With less sugar than many traditional puddings and a smooth, creamy texture, it’s a treat that satisfies anyone seeking both indulgence and intention in their desserts.
A Commitment to Craft (Not Shortcuts)
Scaling a food brand often means outsourcing production. But for Max, quality came first.
“As a chef, the quality of the product was always important,” he said. “We talked to co-manufacturers, but it was always challenging to maintain the consistency.”
Rather than compromise, Petit Pot made the decision to keep manufacturing in-house—even if it wasn’t the easiest path.
“It was probably not necessarily the smartest business decision in terms of cost,” Max shared, “but ultimately we were able to scale it.”
Today, their facility in Northern California gives the brand full control over production; from sourcing local Clover dairy milk to crafting each batch with the care and consistency that define a premium product.
That same commitment extends beyond the jar. Petit Pot earned B Corp certification not as a badge, but as a blueprint.
“We didn’t want to go into B Corp just for having a stamp of approval,” Max said. “It’s a guideline to do better—not just for the planet, but for the people who work with us.”
Scaling with Purpose
Today, Petit Pot stands as the No. 1 natural refrigerated pudding brand—but they’re just getting started. Max knew that reaching more people would require taking a step into conventional retail, but with care.
“We want to be available to more people,” he explained. “And the conventional channel is really going to give us the scale.”
To make that leap, Petit Pot launched a paper-based cup: a format built for conventional grocery shelves and price points, without compromising the quality of the product inside. The team also chose to scale strategically, focusing on building velocity with key partners like Publix before broadening distribution.
Accelerating Premium Pudding to the Next Shelf
Petit Pot’s thoughtful, quality-first approach helped the brand rise above a crowded field of high-growth contenders in Advantage Solutions’ inaugural Brand Accelerator Challenge—an initiative designed to help high-potential emerging brands achieve their objectives and breakthrough in the market. The result? A first-place finish and a strategic partnership built for long-term growth.
As Petit Pot looks to scale in the conventional channel, experts from across Advantage’s solution areas will provide actionable insights and a tailored playbook to bring their better-for-you products to more shelves. That’s a win for retailers, who can better cater to shoppers’ evolving expectations, and for consumers—who may discover a new everyday favorite or indulgent little luxury.
“Being able to team up with Advantage—probably the biggest name in brokerage—is huge,” Max said. “We’re excited to grow even further with the right partners.”
Ready to build velocity for your brand? Whether you’re growing from D2C to retail or making the leap from specialty to conventional, FDM can help. Schedule a call today to learn what our team can do for your emergent brand.
