High Liner's Fully Cooked Seafood Line Targets Foodservice Revolution

LUNENBURG, NS – January 08, 2026 – High Liner Foods Incorporated, a titan in North America's frozen seafood sector, has unveiled a new portfolio of fully cooked products designed to fundamentally change how quick-service restaurants (QSRs) and convenience stores approach seafood. The launch introduces four new wild-caught, MSC-certified white fish offerings, aiming to eliminate common operational barriers and meet a growing consumer appetite for accessible, high-quality protein.

This strategic move by High Liner Foodservice comes as the broader foodservice industry grapples with persistent labor shortages and rising operational costs. By offering a pre-cooked, easy-to-prepare solution, the company is directly addressing the pain points that have historically made seafood a challenging menu item for fast-paced environments.

Reshaping the Back-of-House

The core of High Liner's new offering is its promise of operational simplicity. For QSR and convenience store operators, the challenges of managing raw seafood—including specialized training, inconsistent cooking, food waste, and undesirable odors—can be significant deterrents. The new line of fully cooked pollock products is engineered to bypass these hurdles entirely.

Industry data underscores the timeliness of this innovation. With over 90% of foodservice operators already incorporating frozen foods into their menus, the category is seen as a crucial tool for efficiency. A recent study found that 84% of operators agree that using frozen foods generates less waste, a critical factor for managing tight profit margins. Furthermore, since 2019, convenience stores and fast-casual restaurants have reported the largest increase in frozen food utilization, signaling a clear shift in how these channels build their menus.

High Liner's products, which include a Panko Breaded Pollock Square and a versatile Panko Breaded Sandwich Portion, are designed for a simple heat-and-serve application. This dramatically reduces prep time and the need for skilled kitchen labor, allowing staff to focus on assembly and customer service. The result is a consistent, high-quality fish sandwich, wrap, or meal topper, delivered with the speed that the convenience channel demands.

Tapping into Uncharted Waters

Beyond solving operational headaches, High Liner's launch is a calculated move to capitalize on untapped consumer demand. The company is betting that customers are ready for more sophisticated and healthier options in channels traditionally dominated by roller-grill hot dogs and carb-heavy snacks. Recent survey data from Elevator Research supports this wager, revealing a significant opportunity for seafood in the convenience sector.

The 2024 survey found that 75% of consumers believe seafood would be a novel and different offering for convenience stores. More tellingly, 58% would consider ordering items like white fish, shrimp, or salmon, and 51% would go out of their way to try new seafood options if they were available. This indicates a ready and waiting market for the very products High Liner is introducing.

"Our new line of responsibly sourced, fully cooked products opens up the opportunity for operators and distributors to offer consumers more of what they are looking for on their menus – new, elevated and high in protein offerings that are quick, easy and done perfectly every time," said Anthony Rasetta, Chief Commercial Officer at High Liner Foods, in the company's official announcement.

This strategy aligns with the explosive growth of the global ready-to-eat and cooked seafood market, which was valued at over $30 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of over 5%. High Liner is positioning itself to capture a piece of this expansion by making seafood a viable, profitable option for thousands of new outlets.

The Convergence of Speed and Sustainability

While convenience is the primary operational driver, the new product line does not sacrifice quality or ethics. All four new items—which also include a Panko Breaded Pollock Strip and a Garlic and Herb Lightly Coated Pollock Strip—are high in protein, wild-caught, and certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). The blue MSC label is a globally recognized mark of sustainable fishing practices, assuring both operators and consumers that the seafood comes from a well-managed fishery that protects marine ecosystems.

This dual focus on speed and sustainability is increasingly crucial. Market analysis shows that sustainability directly influences purchasing decisions for 64% of seafood shoppers. By embedding this certification into a product designed for the ultimate convenience, High Liner is bridging the gap between consumer values and on-the-go lifestyles. Operators can now offer an ethically sourced product without adding complexity or cost to their supply chain, enhancing their brand reputation among an increasingly conscious customer base.

A Competitive Play in a Growing Market

The global frozen seafood market, valued at $28 billion in 2023 and projected to climb to $48 billion by 2033, is a dynamic and competitive space. Major players like Trident Seafoods and King & Prince Seafood have long offered extensive portfolios to the foodservice industry. However, High Liner's focused push with fully cooked products tailored specifically for the operational realities of QSRs and convenience stores represents a sharp strategic maneuver.

Instead of competing on the breadth of raw or ready-to-cook species, the company is providing a turnkey solution for a high-growth, high-need channel. As the number one value-added seafood manufacturer in U.S. foodservice, High Liner is leveraging its scale and expertise to innovate where it matters most for its target customers: the bottom line. By delivering a product that saves labor, reduces waste, and meets clear consumer demand for new, healthy, and sustainable options, the company is making a compelling case for seafood to become a mainstream staple in the fastest-growing segments of foodservice.