Factor Essentials: The Busy Person’s Shortcut to Wellness With Style

Tired of greasy, unhealthy fast food but don't have the energy to cook from scratch every night? Factor might just be your solution. This meal delivery service brings chef-prepared, dietitian-approved meals straight to your door—no cooking required. We're impressed by how they've managed to combine convenience with premium quality meals that actually taste good and meet your nutritional goals. If you're thinking about giving Factor a shot, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about their meal plans and menu options.

What Is Factor?

Factor is a ready-to-eat meal delivery service that takes the guesswork out of healthy eating. Their trained chefs prepare every meal using fresh, premium ingredients, while registered dietitians ensure each dish delivers optimal nutrition. This winning combination has made Factor the leading ready-made meal company in the U.S. by market share—and for good reason.

You might recognize Factor from its previous name, Factor 75. Founded in 2013 in Batavia, Illinois, by Mike Apostal and Nick Wernimont, the company simplified its branding when HelloFresh acquired it in 2020. But their core mission remains unchanged: since 75% of your performance comes from nutrition, Factor wants to help you make that 75% count.

How Factor Works

What's it like to order from Factor? The company's meal delivery process is fast and easy. 

Here’s how it works:

1. Choose your menu type: Factor lets you customize your meal plan based on your fitness goals. You can choose from six styles, including keto, high protein, and low calorie.
2. Pick your meals: Factor will give you a selection of meals that fit your menu type, and then you get to order whatever you like. It has over 90 meals to choose from.
3. Get your delivery: Factor will send your food straight to your door in a recyclable, insulated box. All meals come with heating instructions and are ready to eat within two minutes.

The best part? Factor's meal plans are commitment-free. You can order just a day or two worth of meals to test them out, or stock up with weeks of food if you prefer buying in bulk. Multi-week subscribers can pause or modify their plans anytime, as long as they meet the cutoff deadlines.

What Does Factor Offer?

Factor's strength lies in its variety. They currently offer six distinct menu types: Keto, Calorie Smart, High Protein, Vegan + Veggie, Flexitarian, and GLP-1 Balance. With over 90 meals and 65+ add-ons like snacks and protein shakes, there's something for every taste and dietary preference.

Every meal uses fresh, never-frozen ingredients that stay good for up to seven days in your fridge. The convenience factor is unmatched—just heat and eat in under two minutes. As a bonus, all packaging is recyclable, making Factor a win for both your health and the environment.

The Best of Factor: Most Popular Plans and Meals

While Factor's entire menu gets consistently positive reviews, certain options have developed cult followings. The most popular Factor subscription choice is their 6-18 meals per week plan, which offers solid discounts and eliminates daily cooking stress.

The add-ons deserve special mention—they're perfect for quick breakfasts or healthy snacks. 

Here are some standout meals that keep customers coming back:

• Creamy Tomato Pork Tenderloin:
  A delicate tenderloin in rich sauce that delivers both indulgent flavor and high protein
• Creamy Parmesan Chicken:
  A high-protein, keto-friendly take on Italian comfort food
• Garlic Butter Barramundi & Creamed Kale:
  Packed with superfoods, perfect for pescatarians and seafood lovers
• Unstuffed Portobellos & Italian Sausage:
  One of their most popular low-carb options with rich, satisfying flavor
• Keto Sausage & Egg Skillet:
  Their top breakfast choice—a protein-packed morning meal

The Factor Story

Factor's journey began in 2013 when former wrestling coach Nick Wernimont wanted to create a meal delivery system specifically for athletes The brand's focus on improving performance through food spoke to many people, but initially, it struggled to operate efficiently. 

This changed when Kellogg business alum Mike Apostal took on Factor as his next project. His experience as a project manager helped Factor expand its network beyond just athletes. By combining their unique areas of expertise, Wernimont and Apostal revolutionized the food delivery service. With extra funding from HelloFresh in 2020, the brand has become the leading ready-made food delivery company in the nation. Its health-focused perspective and focus on quality have resulted in thousands of devoted users. 

How Much Does Factor Cost?

Factor's pricing sits in the sweet spot between cooking at home and dining out. While it costs more than making meals from scratch, it's significantly less than restaurant quality meals—and you get to eat at home without any prep work. The average Factor meal runs about $13.

Pricing varies based on your meal plan, ranging from $11 to $17 per meal. The more you order, the better your per-meal rate. 

For example:

• 4 meals per week: $68 ($17 per meal)
• 36 meals: $450 ($12 per meal)

Don't forget to check for Factor promotions—they frequently offer deals like free meals and exclusive discounts for new customers.

Add-ons like shakes, supplements, and snacks cost around $10 individually, but Factor's bundles can bring that down to about $5 per item. This makes specialty items like Daily Greens or Hydration Boost much more affordable.

If You Love Factor, You’ll Also Love…

Factor is perfect for people who want ready-made meals with a focus on health. However, there are also some similar brands that offer their own unique take on fueling your body. 

Here are some other healthy living brands to check out:

• Home Chef:
  Learn cooking fundamentals with customizable meal kits that gradually build your culinary skills. If you’re ready to give it a try, add a promotional offer for Home Chef for the best price.
• Blue Apron:
  Offers extensive recipe variety from professional chefs with an ingredient-focused learning approach.
• Thrive Market:
  Your go-to for healthy pantry staples and wellness-focused meal solutions.
• Noom:
  Try Noom in combination with a meal plan from Factor to get habit-building support for meeting health goals. Save money at the same time with one of our Noom coupons.

Real-Life Experiences with Factor

What do actual customers say about Factor? The feedback is overwhelmingly positive across platforms. Reddit users consistently praise the convenience factor, while TikTok is full of fitness influencers sharing how Factor supports their nutrition goals. The main criticism? Some meals can be high in sodium, so keep that in mind if you're watching your salt intake.

Industry insiders also have a lot of good experiences with Factor. Foodie site Serious Eats calls it the “best heat-and-eat meal delivery service” due to its convenient portioning and delicious flavor. In addition to praising its tasty meals, WIRED provides a great tip for users: heating your Factor meals in an air fryer can add extra crispness and texture without adding too much extra effort to reheating Factor products.

Why We Love Factor Meals

We've checked out a lot of at-home meal companies over the years, and ultimately, we think Factor deserves its place as a foodie favorite. The convenience is unbeatable—meals arrive ready to eat with zero prep required. But convenience means nothing if you're sacrificing taste or nutrition, and Factor delivers on both fronts. Their meals are genuinely delicious and nutritionally designed to help you reach your health goals.

Factor is ideal for busy people who refuse to compromise on healthy, tasty food. Their flexible service model and excellent customer support justify the price point, whether you're a time-pressed professional or an athlete in training.