Western's Smokehouse Acquires Thrushwood Farms

AUA Private Equity Partners Acquires Western Smokehouse Partners

May 17, 2023

Food & Beverage

AUA Private Equity Partners has acquired Western Smokehouse Partners from Charis Consumer Collaborative, marking Charis’ realization of its investment. During Charis’ ownership Western expanded through facility investments and add-on deals (Thrushwood Farms, Prairie Sky Snacks), growing headcount from about 60 to over 400 and operating multiple manufacturing sites out of Galesburg, Illinois.

Monogram Capital Partners Reacquires Western Smokehouse Partners

July 9, 2025

Food & Beverage

Monogram Capital Partners has reacquired Western Smokehouse Partners from AUA Private Equity, taking majority ownership of the leading contract manufacturer of better-for-you meat sticks. Monogram — which first invested in Western in 2018 and retained a minority stake after the 2023 sale to AUA — plans to expand Western's capacity to seven facilities by the end of 2025; terms were not disclosed.

Western Smokehouse Partners Acquires Junior's Smokehouse

February 5, 2026

Food & Beverage

Western Smokehouse Partners, backed by Monogram Capital Partners, has acquired Junior's Smokehouse, a family-owned jerky and meat snack manufacturer based in El Campo, Texas. The deal expands Western's national manufacturing footprint, adds capacity and private-label production capabilities, and follows Western’s recent facility expansions and Monogram’s continued investment in supply-chain manufacturing platforms.

Greene King Acquires Hickory's Smokehouse Restaurant Group

November 11, 2022

Restaurants & Hospitality

Greene King has acquired Hickory's, a UK BBQ smokehouse restaurant group founded by Neil McDonnell, to accelerate the brand’s national rollout. Hickory's (operating multiple restaurants across the Midlands and North West) will continue to be run by its existing management team; financial terms were not disclosed.

AUA Private Equity Partners Acquires Western Smokehouse Partners

March 27, 2023

Food & Beverage

AUA Private Equity Partners has acquired Western Smokehouse Partners, a leading contract manufacturer of premium, better-for-you smoked meat snacks, from Monogram Capital Partners. The deal (terms undisclosed) will see AUA support Western's growth and capability expansion across its multi-facility Midwest manufacturing footprint.

S. Thorogood & Sons Acquires Mushroom Man

October 11, 2021

Food & Beverage

Essex-based wholesaler S. Thorogood & Sons has acquired Mushroom Man from founder Michael Hyams for £1.2 million. The deal brings a dedicated mushroom supplier and its specialist capabilities into Thorogood’s wholesale group as Hyams retires and existing managers remain to run the business within the group.