Food Business News’ Post

Congratulations to our friends at San Francisco-based consumer-focused buyout private equity fund manager Encore Consumer Capital on the acquisition of Chalet Desserts in partnership with founder and CEO David Laukat and the existing management team. Chalet Desserts, based in Sacramento, CA, is a specialty manufacturer of frozen bakery desserts and baked good inclusions that are sold into the in-store bakery at #supermarkets and #convenience stores as well as #foodservice and #ingredient end-markets. The #partnership will focus on add-on acquisitions in the frozen baked goods space. Encore Consumer Capital are one of the US' leading consumer-focused private equity fund managers having raised 4 funds and over $900 million in committed capital and invested in over 40 companies in the sector. Encore Consumer Capital’s current and prior investments include food and beverage manufacturers and marketers, pet products companies, personal care/beauty companies, and food distribution companies. The firm targets companies with between $10 million and $150 million in annual revenues where Encore Consumer Capital’s strong expertise in strategy development, brand marketing, manufacturing and supply chain optimization, and distribution expansion can drive performance. It was great to spend time with the Encore Consumer Capital team in Chicago this past week and looking forward to seeing you again soon! #alternativeinvestments #privateequity #fundmanagers #buyout #consumer #frozenfood #bakedgoods #capitalmarkets #privatemarkets #chicago #sanfrancisco #acquisitions #valuecreation #desserts

Exciting news from Craveworthy Brands As many of you know, I love to hint at our next big moves. Some might question this approach, but I believe it’s crucial to show my commitment to pushing our team and our dreams to new heights. Our latest acquisition is a game-changer, bringing Taim and Hot Chicken Takeover into our family! This strategic move will supercharge growth for our beloved Soom Soom and The Budlong Southern Chicken providing them an extraordinary platform to thrive. Additionally, it accelerates the expansion for Sigri Indian BBQ, offering immediate opportunities for two to three new locations. We’re also setting the stage to launch Costeño Rojo, testing a few locations to refine our concept further. But it’s not just about growth—it’s about people. We’re thrilled to collaborate with the fantastic teams at Taim and Hot Chicken Takeover. Their passion and innovation are exactly what we need to reach new heights. I’m excited to see what we can achieve together with this incredible talent. Stay tuned. We’re just getting started! #CraveworthyBrands #BusinessGrowth #Acquisition #FoodIndustry #Leadership #Innovation #RestaurantBusiness #Teamwork #Entrepreneurship #BrandExpansion

Delightful Food Group's Strategic Acquisition: A Recipe for Growth In a bold move within the foodservice industry, IBC Simply of Delightful Foods Group has acquired March Foods Ltd, marking the union of two seasoned companies under a new parent group. Spearheaded by Ricky Flax, this strategic acquisition signifies a vision to elevate both companies to new heights. Here are the key insights and investment implications: Key Insights: 🍽️ Synergy in Expertise and Knowledge: The amalgamation presents a compelling synergy of expertise and knowledge, unlocking new opportunities for innovation, product manufacturing, and customer solutions. 🍽️ Investment in Technology and Capabilities: The vision to invest in new technologies and enhance product manufacturing capabilities promises operational efficiency and a focus on product quality and innovation. 🍽️ Customer-Centric Growth Strategy: Emphasis on providing a "totally rounded solution" reflects a customer-centric growth strategy, aiming to cater to unique customer needs and drive value through tailored offerings. 🍽️ Continuity and Development: Assurance that March Foods' operations will remain unchanged underscores a commitment to continuity and stability, crucial for maintaining customer trust. Investment Implications: $ Strategic Growth Potential: The alignment of expertise, vision, and resources positions Delightful Food Group as a formidable player in the industry, presenting promising investment prospects. $ Innovation and Technology Focus: Commitment to investing in new technologies and enhancing manufacturing capabilities signals a forward-looking approach, appealing to investors keen on technological advancements. $ Customer-Centric Value Creation: Emphasis on tailored solutions presents opportunities for value creation, making Delightful Food Group an appealing investment avenue for those prioritizing customer needs. As Delightful Food Group embarks on this transformative journey, the strategic acquisition of March Foods sets the stage for a new chapter of growth, innovation, and customer-centric excellence within the foodservice industry. Follow Market Unwinded for insightful updates on strategic industry developments and investment opportunities. Read More: https://lnkd.in/gir7W_N8 #DelightfulFoodGroup #MarchFoods #FoodserviceIndustry #StrategicAcquisition #InvestmentInsights #CustomerCentricGrowth #InnovationInFoodTech

The M&A deal volume has slowed down globally across industries (a consequence of more expensive financing), and restaurant mergers and acquisitions are also decelerating. Mid-market strategic acquisitions and franchisees changing hands have been the most common deals in the foodservice space in the U.S.    If you are evaluating a foodservice acquisition target, we recommend you don’t skip due diligence. Without exception, the process reveals new perspectives and insight across functional areas (from the efficacy of marketing and brand strength to how the P&L may change under different scenarios) that will contribute to improved business strength and performance. Check out our M&A research article, with updated transactions for 2023. https://lnkd.in/egsXgHMV  #restaurants #investing #acquisitions

From Appetite to Apex: The Unfolding Saga of Just Eat Takeaway.com. Chapter 5: Mergers and Acquisitions. In this period, Just Eat engaged in a series of strategic mergers and acquisitions that played a pivotal role in shaping the company's position as a global leader in online food delivery. One notable acquisition was the purchase of Hungryhouse in the UK, a move that allowed Just Eat to strengthen its presence and consolidate its market share in this key region. By integrating Hungryhouse's user base and restaurant partnerships, Just Eat solidified its position as the go-to platform for online food ordering in the UK. Internationally, Just Eat expanded its footprint through acquisitions like SkipTheDishes in Canada. These strategic moves were driven by the company's vision to establish a strong foothold in diverse markets, capitalizing on local expertise and customer preferences. The series of mergers and acquisitions not only broadened Just Eat's geographical reach but also diversified its service offerings. Collaborating with complementary platforms and absorbing regional competitors contributed to the platform's ability to offer an extensive range of cuisines and dining options to an ever-growing user base. This chapter reflected Just Eat's proactive approach to growth, leveraging acquisitions as a means to expand its influence, enhance its technological capabilities, and stay ahead of the dynamic landscape of the online food delivery industry. The strategic integration of acquired assets positioned Just Eat as a formidable player on the global stage, setting the stage for further industry consolidation and competition. #startup #strategy #tech

🔍 Exploring M&A Dynamics in the Food & Beverage Industry 🌐 Mergers and acquisitions are catalyzing transformation in the food and beverage sector, propelling market consolidation, and fostering innovation. A review by Food Dive illustrates how these strategic moves are reshaping industry standards. Strategic Partnerships: Collaborations are pivotal, with food giants partnering with tech startups and retailers joining forces with meal kit ventures. These alliances expand market reach and spur innovation, allowing companies to tap into new distribution channels and enhance competitive edge. Portfolio Optimization: Firms are streamlining operations and shedding non-core assets, aligning their business strategies with consumer preferences and market demands. This focus on core competencies helps companies optimize resource allocation and enhance shareholder value. Market Consolidation: Acquisitions are enabling firms to scale up, increase market share, and enhance operational efficiencies. Whether it's merging with counterparts or acquiring niche brands, these actions strengthen market presence and achieve cost synergies. Technological and Consumer Trends: The surge in e-commerce, growing interest in plant-based nutrition, and the push towards personalized diets are driving M&A. Companies are acquiring new technologies and innovative business models to stay relevant and meet shifting consumer demands. As the landscape evolves, strategic M&A is more crucial than ever, offering pathways for growth and innovation in the competitive food and beverage industry. #MergersAndAcquisitions #FoodIndustry #Innovation #MarketTrends

🇬🇧💸 Amidst economic uncertainty in the UK, the food and beverage industry has seen a surge in mergers and acquisitions, reaching its highest point since 2019, as reported by Oghma Partners. Here are other key takeaways from the report: - 27% of deals are acquisitions in F&B administration, like that of Meatless Farm by VFC® and Plant&Bean (Thailand) by Heather Mills - Only 8.1% of these deals are worth £50M or more, which could be due to the economic uncertainty in the UK - There's a high number of companies acquiring businesses in the same industry like Jimmy's Iced Coffee by Britvic plc, Iceland Seafoods by Eperson and Ragleth by Richardson Malting - The beverage market was also very active as seen in the acquisition of Brew by Numbers and Black Sheep Brewery by Breal Capital Group It's noteworthy that, despite the high M&A activity, there were fewer larger deals observed. Could these M&A activities indicate the resurgence of a growing agrifoodtech ecosystem, or might they signify an oversaturated market? There is hope that deals in 2024 will be of higher value once uncertainty in the UK subsides. Learn more about this here: https://lnkd.in/dXRPVg2P #ForwardFooding #agrifoodtech #foodindustry #foodtech #investment #funding

In the post-pandemic era, there have been several high-profile foodservice M&A transactions globally. Here we round up some of those deals. We are seeing a lot of activity in the limited-service segment with record deals such as Subway, Firehouse Subs, and Carrols. There have also been record deals among food delivery aggregators, including Finland-based Wolt(Doordash) and India-based Blinkit (Zomato). For full-service, the highest enterprise value deals have been in the higher-end prices (steakhouses or fine dining). Restaurant mergers and acquisitions have been much a topic of conversation in the last couple of years, but we’ve been studying (and working with buy- and sell-side teams on diligence, value-creation plans, portfolio rationalization and more) for close to ten years. There is a spectrum of opportunities for restaurant acquisitions available for operators and investors alike. Consolidation is creating stronger players. #restaurants #acquisitions #strategy #investment

Here is our latest edition of Bakels Worldwide Review. Issue 175 discusses topics in focus within the baking world and how Bakels can support growing your business. Highlighted are the key trends that bakery businesses should focus on for success this year and in the future. Our sustainability strategy is centered on showcasing the Bakels Group's recent investments in local facilities. Explore a variety of new products from around the globe, highlighting initiatives and acquisitions. https://lnkd.in/edMbEwig #bakelsusa #bakelsworldwideedition #sustainability #growyourbusiness #industrialbaking

US Foods to expand presence with acquisition of #IWCFoodService https://lnkd.in/d8umYnP3 #USA #acquisition #foodservice #financials #FoodIndustry #FoodIndustryNews #FoodBusiness #FoodBusinessAfrica