Forward Consumer Partners Acquires Firehook Bakery
April 15, 2024
Forward Consumer Partners has acquired Firehook Bakery, a fast-growing artisan baking company known for organic sourdough breads and the #1 brand of artisanal crackers in the U.S. Founder Pierre Abushacra retains a significant minority stake and Balance Point provided debt financing to support the transaction; Forward appointed Maura Mottolese as CEO to lead the next growth phase.
- Buyers
- Forward Consumer Partners, Balance Point Capital Advisors
- Targets
- Firehook Bakery (Firehook Bakery of Virginia, Inc.)
- Sellers
- Pierre Abushacra
- Industry
- Food & Beverage
- Location
- Virginia, United States
- Transaction Type
- Buyout
Explore More
Related Acquisitions
-
Forward Consumer Partners Recapitalizes Bar Keepers Friend (SerVaas Laboratories)
March 27, 2025
Consumer Products
Forward Consumer Partners acquired SerVaas Laboratories, the maker of Bar Keepers Friend, in a majority recapitalization that leaves Paul SerVaas and other existing shareholders with a significant minority stake. Balance Point Capital provided capital to facilitate the recapitalization, and Forward named Azania Andrews as CEO to lead the brand’s next phase of growth.
-
1440 Foods Acquires FITCRUNCH and Bakery Barn
November 1, 2024
Food & Beverage
1440 Foods, a sports and active nutrition platform backed by Bain Capital and 4x4 Capital, has acquired FITCRUNCH and Bakery Barn from Union Capital Associates, L.P., celebrity chef Robert Irvine and other founders. FITCRUNCH CEO Patrick Cornacchiulo will become CEO of 1440; financial terms were not disclosed. The deal adds a growing high‑protein snack brand and a manufacturing platform to 1440's portfolio to support expanded retail distribution and innovation.
-
Forward Consumer Partners Acquires 51% Stake in Justin's from Hormel Foods
December 15, 2025
Food & Beverage
Forward Consumer Partners has acquired a 51% ownership stake in the Justin’s brand, creating a standalone Justin’s company that will be 51% owned by Forward and 49% owned by Hormel Foods. The transaction returns founder Justin Gold as a strategic advisor and installs Peter Burns as CEO as the business — known for nut butters and USDA-certified organic chocolate confections — seeks focused resources to accelerate growth.
-
Graham Partners Acquires Commercial Bakeries Corporation
September 27, 2023
Food & Beverage
Graham Partners, a Philadelphia-based private equity firm, has acquired Commercial Bakeries Corporation, a Toronto-headquartered producer of private-label and co-manufactured cookies. The acquisition, sourced through Graham's Investment Theme Program, positions the firm to expand in private-label bakery manufacturing and supports a founder succession/exit from the company's former family owners.
-
Vandemoortele Acquires Majority Stake in Banneton Bakery
April 8, 2024
Food & Beverage
Vandemoortele, a family-owned European food group, has acquired a majority stake in Banneton Bakery, a New Jersey-based manufacturer of freezer-to-oven croissants, danishes, and other pastries. The transaction represents a full exit for Encore Consumer Capital; founders Victor and Alex Litinetsky remain investors and will continue to run day-to-day operations.
-
Forward Consumer Partners Acquires 50% Stake in Xochitl
May 21, 2024
Consumer Products
Forward Consumer Partners has acquired a 50% ownership stake in Xochitl, the heritage tortilla chip and salsa brand founded by Carlos Salinas. Salinas will retain a 50% interest and Forward plans to support the brand's next phase of growth and capability expansion, with Matt Leeds becoming Chairman of Xochitl.
Track M&A activity that matters to you
Get real-time deal alerts, build buyer lists with AI, and access our full acquisition database. Start your free trial today.