The Hershey Company Acquires LesserEvil to Expand Better-For-You Snacking Portfolio

LesserEvil Acquires Majority Stake in R.E.D.D. Bar

April 13, 2022

Food & Beverage

LesserEvil has acquired a majority stake in Portland, Maine–based R.E.D.D. Bar, marking LesserEvil's first acquisition and giving the company an entry into the functional bar category. LesserEvil will move R.E.D.D. production to its Danbury, Connecticut facility, incorporate the R.E.D.D. team (including founder Alden Blease), and integrate the brand into its better-for-you snack portfolio.

The Hershey Company Acquires Dot's Pretzels and Pretzels Inc.

November 10, 2021

Food & Beverage

The Hershey Company entered into definitive agreements to acquire Dot's Pretzels LLC and Pretzels Inc., expanding its salty-snacking portfolio and pretzel manufacturing capabilities. The combined transaction is valued at approximately $1.2 billion (about $1.0 billion net of expected tax benefits) and is expected to close by the end of 2021, subject to customary regulatory approvals.

UpSnack Brands Acquires Pipcorn and Spudsy

October 31, 2024

Food & Beverage

UpSnack Brands, a newly formed snack-platform company, has acquired the assets of Pipcorn Heirloom Snacks and Spudsy, combining two better-for-you, upcycled snack brands under one umbrella. Joe DePetrillo (former CEO of Pipcorn) will serve as CEO of UpSnack Brands while Spudsy founder Ashley Rogers will transition to a role with Sprinkles CPG in the KarpReilly family of brands.

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.

The Hershey Company Acquires Sour Strips

November 8, 2024

Food & Beverage

The Hershey Company has acquired Sour Strips, the sour candy brand founded by Maxx Chewning in 2019. Chewning will remain with the brand to lead marketing and innovation as Hershey expands its sweets portfolio and reaches new, social-media-savvy consumers.

Lolli & Pops Acquires Hammond's Candies

November 18, 2024

Food & Beverage

Lolli & Pops, a portfolio company of TerraMar Capital, has acquired Hammond's Candies, the century-old US confectioner. The deal — funded by a new revolving credit facility from PNC Bank, a term loan from Advantage Capital Management and additional investment from TerraMar — will allow Lolli & Pops to integrate Hammond's artisanal product lines across its stores and online platform to drive growth.