Griffin Horter’s Post

Focus is pleased to announce these two searches. We'd appreciate hearing from you if you know of or about a company that matches these acquisition criteria. Focus Acquisition Partners has been retained by a strategic acquirer and a private equity investor to source US based add-on investment opportunities in the food sector. A premium branded beef company backed by a notable family office is seeking to expand its product offerings and to take advantage of its channel distribution capabilities. The broad acquisition criteria are: * Branded food, condiments, and sauce companies * Asset light (outsourced manufacturing) business model * Southern US location preference * Minimum $5 million in revenue A prominent consumer focused private equity firm with over $1 billion in AUM is seeking to expand a portfolio company’s manufacturing footprint and product portfolio. The acquisition criteria are: * US based, refrigerated food manufacturers  * Branded, co-pack or private label * $25 million revenue and $3 million EBITDA minimum * Preference for ethnic products   Focus has worked exclusively as a buy side advisor since 2007. We pay generous referral fees for introductions that result in a completed transaction.

Campbell's, a manufacturer of branded convenience food products, completed the acquisition of Sovos Brands, a food and beverage company, from Advent International for $2.7bn. “We’re thrilled to add the most compelling growth story in the food industry and welcome the talented employees who have built a nearly $1bn portfolio. This acquisition fits perfectly with and accelerates our strategy of focusing on one geography, two divisions and select key categories that we know well. Our focused strategy has enabled us to deliver strong results over the last five years, enhance our brands and capabilities, and generate strong cash flow to lower debt. With all this progress, I am confident in our readiness to execute and integrate this important acquisition. The Sovos Brands portfolio strengthens and diversifies our Meals & Beverages division and paired with our faster-growing and differentiated Snacks division, makes Campbell one of the most dependable, growth-oriented names in food,” Mark Clouse, Campbell President and CEO. Sovos Brands (led by Todd Lachman and Chris Hall) is advised by Centerview Partners (led by Tony Kim), Goldman Sachs (led by Timothy Ingrassia), Cooley LLP (led by Jamie Leigh), Hogan Lovells (led by Keith Flaum, Richard Climan, and Jalpit Amin), Richards, Layton & Finger. Financial advisors are advised by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates (led by Alexandra McCormack and Paul Schnell). Campbell Soup (led by Mark Clouse and Carrie Anderson) is advised by Evercore and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (led by Daniel Brass and John Amorosi). Advent International is advised by Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP (led by Ramona Nee and Jim Griffin) and FGS Global (led by Zachary Tramonti). #MergersAcquisitionsDivestitures #FoodandBeverage #Convenience

CVC Capital Partners purchases Spain’s Monbake Group - Monbake Group, a frozen baked-goods business in Spain, has been acquired by Luxembourg-based private-equity firm CVC Capital Partners. The acquisition was made from France-based investment company Ardian and co-investors Alantra, Artá, and Landon. Financial details were not disclosed in a statement from CVC Capital, but according to the Spanish publication El Confidencial, the price is estimated to be close to €1bn ($1.08bn). “After six years of supporting the domestic and global growth of the company and with the initial objectives achieved, Ardian considers that the investment cycle has ended, and will now allow CVC to spearhead the next phase of... - https://lnkd.in/evnvZj8K

Ahimsa Companies, a plant-based investor, seeks additional deals - Discussing the latest food and beverage industry trends, US-based plant-based investor Ahimsa Companies is actively engaging with various brands to expand its portfolio. Established in the US, Ahimsa Companies is a group of investors dedicated to supporting and enhancing plant-based food businesses within the country. The group recently made headlines with their acquisition of Wicked Kitchen, a prominent brand offering plant-based convenience foods and meals across the US and UK. CEO and investor Matt Tullman revealed that Ahimsa Companies is currently in talks with approximately six to seven US-based brands, with plans to finalize deals by the end of the... - https://lnkd.in/egDvbDeS

With Hard Tea In the Spotlight, Jiant Closes $6M Series A — MediaContacts.co — Jiant, a leading ready-to-drink #alcohol #brand for #modern consumers, announces the #successful completion of a #6 #million #Series A #capital raise. These funds will bolster #production capabilities, #drive deeper #distribution #support new #sales channels, and #fuel the #rapid #expansion of Jiant's highly sought-after #hard #tea line. LOS #ANGELES #Dec #7 #2023 Jiant, a leading ready-to-drink alcohol brand for modern consumers, announces the successful completion of a $6 million Series A capital raise. The #funding #round was #led by Natureza Growth Partners and attracted participation from notable investors, including G5 Capital, Sage Venture Partners, AIR Ventures, Semillero Partners, Brown Angel Group, Freedom Trail Capital and Michael Silverstein, former global leader of the Boston Consulting Group's global consumer practice and NYT Best-selling author of Trading Up. These funds will bolster production capabilities, drive deeper distribution, support new sales channels, and fuel the rapid expansion of Jiant's highly sought-after hard tea line. We have a proven and unmatched prowess in creating delicious beyond-beer liquid using only simple, real ingredients. We believe this is showcased in our exceptional Junk-Free™ hard tea line and will continue to serve us well as a platform for innovation. "We are thrilled to have the support of investors who share our vision for redefining stale categories of alcohol beverage and pushing the boundary of what beyond-beer products can deliver on taste and quality," said Larry Haertel Jr., Co-founder of Jiant. "This capital raise marks a pivotal moment in our journey, putting us in a position to amplify our reach, enhance our offerings, and connect more deeply with our consumers and retail partners." The infusion of capital comes as Jiant continues to ride a wave of success generated by its hard tea line, introduced in 2022. By boldly challenging legacy Flavored Malt Beverage

With Hard Tea In the Spotlight, Jiant Closes $6M Series A — PRBuzz.co — Jiant, a leading ready-to-drink #alcohol #brand for #modern consumers, announces the #successful completion of a #6 #million #Series A #capital raise. These funds will bolster #production capabilities, #drive deeper #distribution #support new #sales channels, and #fuel the #rapid #expansion of Jiant's highly sought-after #hard #tea line. LOS #ANGELES #Dec #7 #2023 Jiant, a leading ready-to-drink alcohol brand for modern consumers, announces the successful completion of a $6 million Series A capital raise. The #funding #round was #led by Natureza Growth Partners and attracted participation from notable investors, including G5 Capital, Sage Venture Partners, AIR Ventures, Semillero Partners, Brown Angel Group, Freedom Trail Capital and Michael Silverstein, former global leader of the Boston Consulting Group's global consumer practice and NYT Best-selling author of Trading Up. These funds will bolster production capabilities, drive deeper distribution, support new sales channels, and fuel the rapid expansion of Jiant's highly sought-after hard tea line. We have a proven and unmatched prowess in creating delicious beyond-beer liquid using only simple, real ingredients. We believe this is showcased in our exceptional Junk-Free™ hard tea line and will continue to serve us well as a platform for innovation. "We are thrilled to have the support of investors who share our vision for redefining stale categories of alcohol beverage and pushing the boundary of what beyond-beer products can deliver on taste and quality," said Larry Haertel Jr., Co-founder of Jiant. "This capital raise marks a pivotal moment in our journey, putting us in a position to amplify our reach, enhance our offerings, and connect more deeply with our consumers and retail partners." The infusion of capital comes as Jiant continues to ride a wave of success generated by its hard tea line, introduced in 2022. By boldly challenging legacy Flavored Malt Beverage

Huber Propels Future Growth of CP Kelco Through Sale to Tate & Lyle, Remains Key Stakeholder We are excited to announce that we have entered into an agreement to sell CP Kelco, one of the companies in our portfolio, to Tate & Lyle (LSE: TATE.L), a global food and beverage solutions business headquartered in London, UK. Huber will continue to stay invested in CP Kelco by becoming a shareholder with about 16% ownership in the combined organization, following completion of the transaction.  The combination of these prominent industry players — each with a long history and sharing similar culture and values — creates a combined entity well-positioned with scale to compete and thrive as a prominent and differentiated global player in sustainable ingredient solutions. The transaction will also provide employees in both organizations with appealing career opportunities for growth and development across a growing international platform.    Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ecx9tSCJ

I’m not down with mega mergers and gigantic corporations in the U.S. In my opinion this is where consumers lost the cost of living battle. Today’s corporations are not being truthful when they say things like “significantly expand our snacking platform, allowing us to even more effectively meet consumer needs and drive profitable business growth.” 100% they aim to drive corporate profits. Facts…expanding their “salty” snack category. Where it gets fuzzy is the statement on effectively meeting consumer needs. First off, nobody “needs” the snack category. But, that’s an entirely different post on compromising American’s health. This merger is not about meeting consumers needs. The merger is about convincing Americans they “need” salty snacks. That’s it in a nutshell, better known as an M&M with peanuts. Speaking of, how many variations of M&Ms do we “need?” Which coincides with my point…corporate mergers don’t better meet the needs of consumers, they simply make it easier to produce and market their products. Perhaps it’s time to reconsider “mega” everything. And “maga” too while you are at it. Your health and security depend on it.

https://lnkd.in/gYqWSPdc Demand from major investors saw GYG boost the shares being sold in the float offer from $242.5 million to $335.1 million. Of this cash raised, $200 million is being invested by the company in further expansion, with the remaining $135 million representing investors selling down their stakes. The proceeds of the float will go towards boosting the Mexican chain’s growth in Australia. It hopes to open 30 new restaurants in the 2025 financial year and eventually have more than 1000 restaurants in the next 20 years, which would put it on par with McDonald’s. Incredible result - Investors showing extraordinary faith in this brands ability to conquer the US The US Fast Food & Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) market. US market size was valued at USD 293.8 Billion in 2021 and it is projected to reach around USD 454.3 Billion by 2030. Retail Doctor Group

PRESS RELEASE | Ardian announces the acquisition of a minority stake in My Pie, a unique player in the French snack market.   My Pie has established itself as a market leader with annual growth of more than 90% over the last three years, by responding to a previously unmet retailer and consumer demand: a complete range of hot and ready-to-eat snacks, available in supermarkets under an easily identifiable brand. The Company’s offering combines an expanding range of 100% natural snacks made from French ingredients. Ardian's investment in My Pie will enable the company to prepare for its next phase of development whilst maintaining its strong growth trajectory.   “We are delighted to support Adrien Goud and Sébastien Rico in this new stage of My Pie's development. This primary transaction reflects the DNA of Ardian’s Growth platform: investing alongside ambitious entrepreneurs in a fast-growing, profitable company with unique expertise in its market. We are already working actively with the founders to give them the benefit of our expertise, particularly around organizational structure, digitalisation and internationalization. With Ardian’s support, we can build on its strong growth trajectory and make My Pie a European leader in hot snacks.” Frédéric Quéru, Managing Director Ardian Growth   Read the announcement → https://bit.ly/3uu11sk   #Growth #FoodIndustry #France Pierre Schaeffer Sophie Meyer