By Gary Symons
TLL Editor in Chief
Evolution USA is looking for licensing partners for new clients Gel Blaster Inc. and Black Angus Steakhouse.
Gel Blaster and Evolution just entered into a representation agreement where Evolution will assist in the acquisition of AAA intellectual property based on famous Hollywood studio and core video gaming brands.
In what has been a pretty busy week for the agency, Black Angus Steakhouse, the original American steakhouse since 1964, has appointed Evolution USA as its global licensing and brand management agency in key categories.
Evolution is tasked with developing and managing a retail, direct to consumer and online licensed consumer products program for the Black Angus Steakhouse brand.
BLACK ANGUS LOOKING FOR PARTNERS IN MULTIPLE CATEGORIES
Evolution says heritage is a key component of the Black Angus licensing initiative, which maps it and other core values including family, quality, value, consistency, loyalty, and trust as essential parts of the company’s brand messaging.
Black Angus Steakhouse has been mastering its craft since it first launched in Washington state in 1964. Now headquartered in Los Angeles, Black Angus has 32 locations across California, Washington, Arizona, New Mexico, and Hawaii.
“The Black Angus brand is the original American steakhouse and one of the most revered and trusted brands in the U.S food and beverage business,” said Travis J. Rutherford, founder and chief revenue officer of Evolution. “Serving over 4 million guests annually and having over 450,000 monthly website visits, we see incredible market opportunity for high quality branded licensed products. The entire team at Evolution is excited to work with the Black Angus team to extend the brand across these new channels.”
The core brand DNA will carry forward into all licensed products. Natural category extensions that preserve the integrity and quality of the Black Angus brand will include: Home Delivery Box Services, Tableware, Cutlery, Skillets, Branding Irons, BBQ Grills and Smokers, Smoking Chips, Grilling Planks, Charcoal, BBQ Tools, Sets and Accessories, Timers and Meat Thermometers, Drinkware, Barware, Camping Products, Tail Gating Products, Aprons, Chefs Shirts and Accessories, Cookbooks, Headwear and Apparel.
Several of the new licensed categories will also be adopted and utilized in the 32 restaurant locations across California, Washington, Arizona, New Mexico, and Hawaii and sold via the company’s online e-commerce store, as well as being distributed via national big box, specialty and grocery retailers.
“As we come close to celebrating our 60th anniversary in 2024, we felt it was now time to take the brand into new product categories that can extend the core dining experience,” said VP of Growth, Deborah Shapiro. “Our signature steak sauce has already proven that the consumer is hungry for additional products to use and consume at home.
“We chose Evolution because of their shared passion for our brand’s DNA and their entrepreneurial team. They have a vast history of building brand extensions on both the retail and wholesale sides of the industry,” she added.
GEL BLASTER OFFERS FUTURISTIC FUN
From a heritage, historical steakhouse to a futuristic fun purveyor, Evolution is also working on a very different product with new partner Gel Blaster.
Evolution says Gel Blaster is changing the way young adults play with an all-new product for outdoor fun.
The company produces Gel Blaster Surge, a product similar (but less painful!!) to a paintball gun. the Gel Blaster Surge blasts out ‘Gellets’, which are colorful, water-based beads that are all natural, biodegradable and non-toxic. Gellets burst on impact, but unlike paintball pellets they immediately begin to dissolve, leaving no mess behind.
Gel Blaster Surge also features colorful interchangeable fins and tips for personal expression or team play. With the newly released Gel Blaster Surge STARFIRE, gameplay is extended into the night through the use of a glow in the dark Gellet system.
The company will be actively looking for licensing partners at Licensing Expo. “Gel Blaster is looking to add several major high profile brands to their product portfolio and will be discussing such opportunities at the upcoming Licensing Expo 2022,” said Rutherford. “The Gel Blaster team has revolutionized the entire category with patented technology and unique gameplay and now is more excited than ever to add licensed versions to our product mix that will thrill and delight not only the existing Gel Blaster fans but also fans of some of the most incredible gaming and pop culture brands from around the world.”
Gel Blaster also produces a variety of other innovative tech products, having designed futuristic toys from flying drones to personal hydrofoils, inspired by founder Colin Quinn.
Evolution says the company is focused on the immersive gameplay space, and is looking for licensing partners interested in fitness, fun and technology.