Food & Beverage Acquisitions in 2018

MidOcean Partners has acquired Florida Food Products (FFP), a leading manufacturer of natural and clean-label food ingredients, from Kainos Capital. The private equity firm intends to use its industry expertise and operating resources to drive FFP's continued growth, product expansion, and strategic initiatives across existing and new end markets.

Greenwich-based private equity firm Union Capital Associates, L.P. has acquired Lakeview Cheese Co. LLC, a Las Vegas-based manufacturer and distributor of natural, custom blend and private label cheese products. Dinan Capital Advisors served as exclusive financial advisor to Lakeview Cheese and its shareholders in the transaction; terms were not disclosed.

Stamford-based private equity firm Olympus Partners has acquired Rise Baking Company, a Minneapolis-headquartered manufacturer of premium cookies, dessert bars, artisan breads, and flatbreads, from Arbor Investments. Rise employs over 1,000 people across six North American facilities; Olympus said it will partner with management to continue organic growth and pursue transformational acquisitions to expand the business.

Arable Capital Partners has acquired Farmington Fresh Cuts and will merge the business into its portfolio company, Fresh Innovations. The deal transfers the family-owned fresh-cut fruit processor (founded by the Rajkovich family) into Arable’s platform to expand Fresh Innovations’ sliced/packaged fruit capacity and distribution to school, retail and foodservice customers across the region.

Manna Pro Products, a Missouri-based manufacturer of animal nutrition and care products, has purchased VetScience, LLC and its Fruitables brand of natural dog treats and supplements. The acquisition expands Manna Pro's pet product portfolio into wellness-focused, low-calorie treats and supplements that support weight management and preventive care.

Cold Spring Brewing Company, a Brynwood Partners portfolio company, has acquired 100% of the stock of Carolina Beverage Group, LLC from SunTx Capital Partners and other selling shareholders. The combined business, to be named Carolina Beverage Group and headquartered in the Charlotte, North Carolina area, creates one of the largest independently owned contract manufacturers in the beverage sector and expands Brynwood's manufacturing footprint and capabilities.

Wind Point Partners' portfolio company GF Assets Holdings (parent of Gehl Foods) acquired California Natural Products, a Lathrop, California-based aseptic packager of dairy and dairy-alternative beverages, soups, broths and ingredient products. The deal adds West Coast aseptic filling and ingredient-development capabilities to Gehl's existing aseptic platform and expands its packaging formats and customer relationships.

Keystone Natural Holdings LLC, a portfolio company of Keystone Capital Inc., completed acquisitions of J.P. Veggies Inc. (Veggieland) and Superior Tofu Ltd., adding the two plant‑based protein manufacturers to its KNH platform alongside Nature Soy. The deals expand KNH’s product portfolio, channel reach into retail, foodservice and private label, and strengthen product innovation capabilities across the platform.

Dessert Holdings, a holding company formed by private equity firm Gryphon Investors, has acquired Atlanta Cheesecake Company (ACC), a Kennesaw, Georgia-based manufacturer of frozen desserts and cheesecakes. The acquisition brings ACC into Dessert Holdings' portfolio (which includes The Original Cakerie and Lawler's Desserts) to expand product offerings and distribution into retail grocery and foodservice channels across North America.