Exponent Private Equity Acquires TRS and East End Foods (Vibrant Foods Platform)

Exponent Acquires IFF's Flavour Specialty Ingredients (FSI) Business

August 2, 2023

Food & Beverage

Exponent Private Equity agreed to acquire the Flavour Specialty Ingredients division (FSI) from International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), a UK‑headquartered supplier of natural and aroma chemical base aromas. The carve‑out includes four manufacturing and distribution facilities across the UK, US and China, serves ~970+ clients and generates over $100 million in revenue; Exponent will back FSI to grow organically and via acquisitions.

TriSpan Rising Stars Acquires Majority Stake in Pho

August 2, 2021

Restaurants & Hospitality

TriSpan's Rising Stars restaurant fund has acquired a significant majority stake in Pho, the UK-based Vietnamese casual dining group that operates 30 restaurants and 3 cloud kitchens. The founders and management retain meaningful ownership and the business will be led by Patrick Marrinan as Managing Director with TriSpan supporting a UK and international growth plan; terms were not disclosed.

Vibrant Foods Acquires Fudco

April 8, 2021

Food & Beverage

Exponent-backed Vibrant Foods has acquired Fudco, the UK premium nuts, spices and dried fruits business founded in 1979. The family-run company — led by brothers Sheilesh and Akhil Shah and operating a HQ and factory in Willesden with around 68 employees — will join Vibrant's South Asian foods portfolio (TRS, East End, Cofresh, Everest) as an add-on to expand retail distribution and product range.

Vibrant Foods Acquires Everest Dairies

March 9, 2021

Food & Beverage

Vibrant Foods has completed the acquisition of Everest Dairies, a Leicester-based manufacturer of South Asian dairy products including paneer and natural yogurt. The deal is an add-on to Vibrant Foods' portfolio (which includes TRS, East End and Cofresh) and is intended to expand the group's chilled dairy capability and broaden distribution into both ethnic independent stores and mainstream grocery channels.

Exponent Acquires Proper and Merges It with Eat Real to Form Better-for-You Snacking Group

February 26, 2021

Food & Beverage

Exponent Private Equity has acquired Proper and merged it with its existing portfolio brand Eat Real to create a combined Better-for-You (BFY) snacking group headquartered in London. The two brands will continue to trade under their own names and the new Group will be led by Chair Kevin Brennan and CEO Chris Schulze-Melander to accelerate innovation and international growth.

Vibrant Foods (Exponent) Acquires Cofresh Snack Foods

June 30, 2020

Food & Beverage

Vibrant Foods, the UK ethnic foods platform backed by Exponent Private Equity, has acquired Cofresh Snack Foods (CSF), the owner of the Cofresh and Eat Real brands, for an undisclosed sum. The Patel family, selling shareholders, will reinvest as minority holders; the deal strengthens Vibrant Foods' portfolio across South Asian staples and fast-growing plant-based/free-from snacking to accelerate distribution and growth across the UK and Europe.