Champ's Pet Kitchen expands into Ingles Markets and Lowes Foods

Champ's Pet Kitchen has widened grocery distribution through Ingles Markets and Lowes Foods, putting its dog treats in nearly 300 more stores across the Southeast and pushing its national footprint past 1,200 retail locations. The move comes as demand grows for higher-protein, functional pet nutrition and more transparent labeling.

Why it matters: - Champ's Pet Kitchen is extending its reach in a pet food aisle where shoppers are increasingly looking for higher-protein, wellness-focused options. - The new distribution adds more access points for dog treats positioned around cleaner ingredients, functional nutrition and affordability. - The expansion pushes Champ's past 1,200 retail locations nationwide, a scale milestone for a brand founded in 2025.

What happened: - Champ's Pet Kitchen announced expanded retail distribution through Ingles Markets and Lowes Foods on September 1, 2026. - The rollout brings Champ's dog treats to nearly 300 grocery stores across the Southeastern United States. - Lowes Foods is supplied through MDI, which also serves more than 600 retail grocery locations across the Southeast.

The details: - Champ's dog treats are made in the USA with real animal protein. - The treats contain a minimum of 26% protein and less than 3% fat. - The recipes do not include corn, wheat, soy or meat by-products. - Each soft-chew recipe includes targeted functional ingredients for digestive health, joint mobility, skin and coat health, heart health and immune support. - Champ's says the brand is built around giving pet parents access to treats that balance quality and affordability. - Champ's is one of the first dog treat brands to feature a human-style Nutrition Facts panel on the back of the package. - The brand is also sold at Safeway, Save Mart, Lucky, Raley's, Longs Drugs, Times Market, Tamura's Market, Don Quijote, Don Don Donki, Holiday Market, Sav Mor and other regional grocery retailers in the western United States and Hawai'i.

Between the lines: - The expansion tracks with a broader shift in pet care toward functional products and preventive wellness. - The 2025 APPA Dog & Cat Report found vitamin and supplement use among dog owners rose 6% in 2024, with joint health leading the category. - Transparent front-line nutrition information may help Champ's stand out in a crowded and often confusing dog treat market. - Retailers appear to be giving more shelf space to pet brands that combine health claims with mainstream grocery pricing.

What's next: - Champ's will likely continue using grocery distribution to build national awareness and deepen penetration in regional chains. - Additional retail expansion could follow if the brand keeps converting demand for functional pet nutrition into store placements.

The bottom line: - Champ's Pet Kitchen is turning a 2025 launch into a faster-than-expected grocery presence by pairing functional nutrition with broad retail availability.