Food & Beverage Acquisitions in South Carolina

Fresh Express Inc. has acquired McEntire Produce Inc., a Columbia, South Carolina-based fresh-cut processor, repacker and wholesaler, to form a newly branded Foodservice Division under the McEntire Produce name. The deal combines McEntire's regional foodservice capabilities, wash-system technology and distribution fleet with Fresh Express's national retail supply footprint, grower network and supply-chain capabilities to expand foodservice reach and enhance food safety and innovation.

NovaTaste, a global taste-innovation company headquartered in Austria, has acquired McClancy Foods & Flavors from Dallas-based private equity firm CIC Partners. McClancy will continue to operate under its brand with the existing leadership team (including CEO Stephen Andresen) remaining in place and retaining significant ownership, while gaining access to NovaTaste's international innovation capabilities and distribution network.

The Innovative Foodservice Group (IFG) has acquired Foodservice & Restaurant Supply (FRS), a 50‑year regional distributor of commercial kitchen equipment and supplies with four showrooms across the Carolinas. The acquisition brings FRS’s local sales, showroom and distribution capabilities into IFG’s national foodservice distribution platform, and was led for the sellers by Viking Mergers & Acquisitions.

Ardian-backed Cérélia has acquired US Waffle, a South Carolina-based maker of premium pancakes and waffles, to accelerate its North American expansion and enter the breakfast category. Separately, Continental Grain Company made a strategic equity investment in Cérélia to support the group's growth initiatives in bakery and frozen breakfast products.

Eddy Packing Co., Inc., a protein-processing platform backed by Insight Equity Holdings LLC, has acquired a majority of the assets of Carolina Pride Foods, LLC. The deal adds Carolina Pride’s regional branded and private-label meat portfolio and processing capacity to Eddy’s operations, expanding Eddy’s ability to serve retail and foodservice customers in the Southeast.