Food & Beverage Acquisitions in Georgia

Five Star Breaktime Solutions has acquired Georgia Vending Services, a vending and micro-market operator based in Alpharetta, Georgia. The deal expands Five Star's presence in the Atlanta metro area and brings Georgia Vending's customers and employees into Five Star's regional breakroom and office coffee platform.

Odeko, a technology and operations partner for independent food & beverage businesses, has acquired Atlanta Coffee Supply Group (ACSG), a full-service distributor based in Atlanta, Georgia. The deal expands Odeko's Southeastern footprint and brings ACSG's customer base and proprietary Lakehouse Coffee and Blue Durango Iced Tea brands onto Odeko's ordering platform.

Wayne-Sanderson Farms has acquired Georgia-based Harrison Poultry in a private transaction effective immediately, transferring all Harrison assets including processing, hatchery, feed mill and transportation operations. The acquisition — part of Wayne-Sanderson's strategic growth initiative — expands its production capacity and product portfolio (including Harrison brands Golden Goodness, Pollo Eldorado and Al Marwah); financial terms were not disclosed.

Five Star Breaktime Solutions has acquired PB&J Vending, a locally owned vending and office refreshment provider serving the Metro Atlanta area. The deal expands Five Star's presence in Metro Atlanta and provides a transition for owners James and Terri Baker as they move into retirement.

Goldbergs Group has added Pasta Mami, a family-run fresh pasta manufacturer, to its portfolio as part of a strategic expansion of its food production and catering capabilities. The Atlanta-area pasta maker will continue producing artisanal pasta while leveraging Goldbergs Group's restaurants, manufacturing and airline catering network to expand distribution to restaurants, grocers, caterers and hotels.

Mr. Greens Produce, backed by Sterling Investment Partners, has acquired Atlanta-based Parishables Food Service to enter the Atlanta market and strengthen its Southeast service footprint. The deal expands Mr. Greens' product offering (including specialty cheeses, oils, spices and dairy) and service capabilities (including Sunday deliveries), while enabling Parishables' founders to partner for regional growth.

AFM Capital Partners has acquired Bull's Eye Brands, Inc., d/b/a Smart Mouth Pizza, a branded food service program provider delivering restaurant-quality pizza to K-12 schools nationwide. The private investment firm said it will partner with Smart Mouth's management to accelerate growth, broaden product offerings, and expand the company's presence in the K-12 education foodservice market.

Day‑Lee Foods, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of NH Foods Ltd. (Nipponham Group), has completed the acquisition of B and D Foods, Mountain View Packaging, and Tamarack Foods. The combination expands Day‑Lee’s frozen and prepared foods portfolio and manufacturing/packaging capabilities in the United States to support growth across retail and foodservice channels.

North Course Brands, a Tustin, California-based consumer packaged goods company, acquired the RxSugar brand and related intellectual property from Nutrishus Brands Inc.; the deal closed on October 29, 2024. The acquisition brings the allulose-based RxSugar product portfolio into North Course’s health-focused brand portfolio to expand its omnichannel presence in the better-for-you sweetener and functional food market; financial terms were not disclosed.

Dessert Holdings, a premium-dessert platform owned by Bain Capital, has acquired Kenny's Great Pies from Kaho Partners. The acquisition adds Kenny's clean-label, cream-based pies and manufacturing capacity (33,000 sq ft facility in Smyrna, Georgia) to Dessert Holdings' portfolio to expand product offerings and distribution across retail, club and foodservice channels; terms were not disclosed.

Sweetmore Bakeries, a Chicago-based family of specialty bakeries, has acquired Sweet Eddie's Inc., an SQF-certified wholesale manufacturer of cinnamon rolls and other yeast-raised baked goods based in Atlanta, Georgia. The add-on expands Sweetmore's product portfolio into cinnamon roll and yeast-raised categories and supports growth across retail and foodservice channels.

Shoreline Equity Partners has made a growth investment in Prime Meats, a Duluth, Georgia–based value-added protein processor and distributor. The partnership will support Prime Meats' organic expansion and pursuit of add-on acquisitions while founder Norberto Sanchez and management remain in leadership with a meaningful ownership stake.

Proof of the Pudding, an Atlanta-based food service and event catering operator, has acquired Southern Crust Catering Company, a mobile wood-fired pizza catering business founded by Bob Lewis. The acquisition adds Southern Crust's upscale Italian mobile catering capability and vintage pizza truck to Proof of the Pudding's event and venue catering offerings and is intended to expand Proof's menu and service options for weddings, corporate events and private parties across Georgia.

EagleTree Capital has acquired Summit Hill Foods, the Rome, Georgia–based owner of Better Than Bouillon and The Original Louisiana Hot Sauce, with several fund investors co-investing including Misland Capital Limited. The Summit Hill Foods management team and operations will remain in place; the seller is G&L Holdings (the family-owned parent), and terms were not disclosed.

Atlanta-based Chicken Salad Chick has acquired Piece of Cake, an iconic local bakery, to expand and standardize its dessert offering across the chain's ~245 restaurants in 18 states. Piece of Cake's ten metro-Atlanta locations (including the airport) will continue operating as usual, founder Melissa Jernigan will remain involved, and roughly 120 Atlanta-area employees will retain their positions.

Primo Water Corporation, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Primo Water North America (PWNA), acquired Highland Mountain Water, an independent distributor of the Mountain Valley premium water brand based in Atlanta, Georgia. The acquisition adds more than 2,500 customers across a service area with over 4 million residents and expands Primo's distribution footprint for its Mountain Valley brand in the region.

Wind Point Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm, has acquired Atlanta-headquartered kids' beverage company good2grow from Kainos Capital. The deal will provide good2grow with capital and Wind Point's strategic support to accelerate distribution, product innovation and penetration into additional retail channels.

Arbor Investments has completed a recapitalization of food-ingredient supplier Dr. G's Creations, marking the third platform investment for Arbor Fund V. The partnership will provide capital and operational support to help Dr. G's scale production, add infrastructure and systems, and expand distribution to meet growing demand from large QSRs, casual-restaurant chains and food processors; terms were not disclosed.

Electrolux Professional AB (publ) has agreed to acquire Unified Brands Inc. and related assets from Dover Corporation for approximately SEK 2,140m (about USD 244m) on a cash- and debt-free basis. The deal — expected to close in Q4 2021 subject to regulatory approvals — strengthens Electrolux Professional's presence in the United States and expands its foodservice equipment portfolio while Unified Brands' management will remain in place.

AUA Private Equity Partners recapitalized Epi Breads (Lavoi Corporation d/b/a Epi Breads) and established Epic Baking Company as its new baking platform. AUA will partner with existing management to support growth, add operational capabilities (including a new 135,000 sq. ft. Atlanta facility) and pursue additional artisan bakery acquisitions.

Rise Baking Company, a platform backed by Olympus Partners, has acquired Brill Inc., a supplier of cakes, cookies, muffins, icings, glazes and toppings serving retail bakeries and foodservice operators across the United States. The deal is an add-on to Rise’s platform and expands its product portfolio and nationwide distribution footprint; the combined business will operate more than 15 facilities across North America. Baker & Baker Group is reported as the selling parent of Brill.

In May 2021 Chairmans Foods, a Sequel Holdings portfolio company, acquired the assets of Charley & Sons, including the Gordos brand and an Atlanta manufacturing plant. The add-on expands Chairmans' manufacturing capacity and strengthens its retail and foodservice distribution presence in the fast-growing queso category.

Post Holdings agreed to acquire Almark Foods, a leading producer of hard‑cooked and deviled egg products, and will combine Almark with its Michael Foods egg business. The transaction (terms undisclosed) was expected to close in early 2021 and expands Post's refrigerated and foodservice capabilities, adding Almark's Yuma, Arizona hard‑cooked egg facility and other operations.

Aphria, Inc. agreed to acquire SweetWater Brewing Company in a transaction valued at approximately $300 million, marking Aphria’s strategic entry into the United States. The deal results in TSG Consumer Partners exiting its minority stake; SweetWater will continue operating from its Atlanta, Georgia brewery with broad distribution across the U.S.

Engelman Baking Co., LLC (Engelman's Bakery) has acquired H&F Bread Company, a wholesale artisan bakery that supplies restaurants across Georgia. The deal—Engelman's first acquisition—adds H&F's artisanal product line to Engelman's offerings as the company pursues growth across the Southeastern United States; Genesis Capital represented H&F in the transaction.

Florida Food Products (a MidOcean Partners portfolio company) has acquired Amelia Bay, LLC, a Johns Creek, Georgia-based extractor and formulator of brewed tea, coffee extracts and botanicals. The acquisition builds FFP's beverage platform and strengthens its clean-label ingredient capabilities across meat, savory, health & wellness and beverage end-markets.

The Riverside Company has invested in GSB & Associates, Inc. (GSB), a flavor house specializing in liquid and powdered custom flavors, masking agents and enhancers. GSB will be the first add-on to Riverside portfolio company National Flavors, broadening the combined platform's product portfolio and R&D capabilities to better serve small- and mid-sized food & beverage customers.

Kaho Partners has acquired Kenny's Great Pies in partnership with the company's management team. The private equity firm said it will support geographic expansion, new customer wins and add-on acquisitions while founder Kenny Burts will remain involved as a senior advisor.

Shoreline Equity Partners has partnered with management to acquire Engelman Baking Company, a Norcross, Georgia-based wholesale bakery, with founder Sammy Engelman retaining a significant ownership stake. The transaction provides Engelman's with capital and resources to expand its reach across the Southeast; financing was provided by Twin Brook Capital Partners and TM Capital served as advisor to Engelman's.

Wind Point Partners’ portfolio company Evans Food Group has acquired Turkey Creek Inc., a leading pork rinds manufacturer headquartered in Thomaston, Georgia. The deal expands Evans’ branded and private-label pork rind portfolio, adds manufacturing capacity in the Southeast and strengthens the company’s position in the convenience channel; founders Gail and Laddie Fulcher will remain involved to support the transition.

Stonebridge Partners, through its portfolio company Specialty Bakers, LLC, acquired certain assets and production equipment of Bake One, Inc. in Smyrna, Georgia as an add-on to Specialty Bakers to expand product lines and production capacity. The deal was financed with debt from Siena Lending Group and aims to leverage Specialty Bakers' national retail placements to distribute Bake One products nationwide.

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.

MillerCoors, via its craft division Tenth and Blake Beer Company, has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Terrapin Beer Company, the Athens, Georgia-based craft brewery. Financial terms were not disclosed; the deal is expected to close in August and MillerCoors said Terrapin will continue brewing and operating from its Athens facility.

North Castle Partners, a consumer-focused private equity firm, acquired a controlling interest in Sprout Organic Foods, a developer, marketer and distributor of premium organic baby and toddler foods. The firm intends to leverage Sprout as a nutrition platform to accelerate growth; financial terms were not disclosed.