Private Equity-Backed Food & Beverage Acquisitions

Reddy Ice, LLC (a portfolio company of SCI Capital Partners) has closed the acquisition of Arctic Glacier, LLC from The Carlyle Group. Terms were not disclosed; Reddy Ice will divest four facilities and associated customer contracts to address DOJ antitrust review as it integrates Arctic Glacier into its North American packaged-ice platform.

Investindustrial has completed a $2.9 billion all-cash take-private acquisition of TreeHouse Foods, with Industrial F&B Investments III, Inc. merged into TreeHouse Foods. TreeHouse shareholders received $22.50 per share plus a contingent value right tied to ongoing litigation proceeds; the deal takes TreeHouse Foods private to support operational improvements and international expansion under Investindustrial.

The Riverside Company has made a growth investment in Western Botanicals, a Spanish Fork, Utah-based contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) of vitamins, minerals and supplements. Riverside will partner with management — which retains a meaningful ownership stake — to support organic growth, expand product and format capabilities, and pursue an M&A strategy to broaden Western Botanicals' capabilities.

Arbor Investments has acquired Furlani Foods, a specialty garlic bread and prepared-bakery manufacturer headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, from Entrepreneurial Equity Partners. Financial terms were not disclosed; Furlani will continue to be led by CEO Jonathan Kawaja and operates multiple production facilities in Canada and the U.S.

Western Smokehouse Partners, backed by Monogram Capital Partners, has acquired Junior's Smokehouse, a family-owned jerky and meat snack manufacturer based in El Campo, Texas. The deal expands Western's national manufacturing footprint, adds capacity and private-label production capabilities, and follows Western’s recent facility expansions and Monogram’s continued investment in supply-chain manufacturing platforms.

Registrar Corp, a Paine Schwartz Partners portfolio company, has acquired TechniCAL, a leading independent Process Authority for low-acid and acidified foods. The deal brings TechniCAL's thermal process testing, data-collection technologies, and regulatory expertise into Registrar Corp to expand its food safety and compliance capabilities globally.

Westcap Mgt. Ltd., through its Westcap MBO III fund, completed an investment in Fit Foods LP, a Canadian manufacturer and distributor of sports nutrition and healthy-living supplement brands including MUTANT, Pure Vita Labs, Whey Gourmet and North Coast Naturals. The deal positions Fit Foods as a platform for Westcap to support growth and expansion while founder Jim McMahon remains an ongoing shareholder and the company continues operating from its Port Coquitlam, British Columbia manufacturing and warehousing facilities.

Buyers Edge Platform has acquired United Fresh Consortium (UFC), a UK-based fresh produce platform, marking the launch of its Fresh division in Europe. The acquisition is intended to establish a network of growers and local fresh distribution partners across Europe and create a bridge between Buyers Edge's North American footprint and UFC's UK relationships to serve global foodservice operators.

Violet Foods LLC, a portfolio company of Amphora Equity Partners, has acquired the Muir Glen brand of organic tomato products from General Mills. The acquisition, terms undisclosed, is an add-on that expands Violet Foods' tomato and sauce portfolio while allowing General Mills to divest a non-core brand and focus on faster-growing categories.

Power Sustainable Lios has acquired Crofter's Organic with co-investments from Farm Credit Canada, BMO Capital Partners and the founding Latka family. The investment will support Crofter's next phase of expansion—capacity enhancement, brand-building and product innovation—and marks the exit of prior investor Frontenac.

Humble Growth has acquired a minority growth-equity stake in simplyFUEL, the protein-snack brand founded by Mitzi Dulan. The partnership is intended to help simplyFUEL scale its brand and accelerate retail expansion (Costco, Sam’s Club, Walmart, Target) with Humble Growth providing hands-on operating and brand-building support.

Charcuterie Artisans has acquired La Quercia Cured Meats, including its Norwalk, Iowa production facility and full product portfolio. The PE-backed charcuterie platform (owner: Industrial Opportunity Partners) said it will invest in the brand, expand the plant’s prosciutto capacity by ~50%, and retain La Quercia employees while working with the Lynch family and suppliers to maintain U.S. pork supply.

Grant Avenue Capital has acquired 21st Century Healthcare, a Tempe, Arizona-based manufacturer of vitamins, minerals and supplements for humans and pets. Grant Avenue will partner with CEO Kirk Neal and the existing management team to expand 21st Century's product portfolio, scale manufacturing and broaden retail and e-commerce distribution.

Highlander Partners has acquired Tapatío, the No. 5 hot sauce brand in the U.S., from the Saavedra family with The Arnold Companies investing as a significant minority partner; the Saavedra family will retain a minority stake. J.P. Morgan led senior financing and NMP Capital provided financing and equity support. Highlander plans to use Tapatío as a platform for geographic expansion, deeper retail and foodservice penetration, and new product innovation.

MPearlRock has acquired The Good Crisp Company, a clean-label salty snack brand founded by Matt Parry, to expand its better-for-you salty snacks platform. The Good Crisp's products are sold in over 20,000 retail doors across the U.S., Canada, Australia and the U.K.; financial terms were not disclosed.

Tropical Cheese Industries, a PE-backed Hispanic dairy and refrigerated foods platform, has acquired Cibao Meat Products and will integrate it as the Cibao Meat Products Division. The deal (terms undisclosed) strengthens Tropical Cheese’s meats offering, adds cold‑chain logistics capabilities, gives the Vieluf family a rolled equity stake, and expands the combined company’s reach across the U.S. East Coast.

PAK Quality Foods LLC, a portfolio company of Cross Rapids Capital, has acquired substantially all assets of Vernon Transportation LP and AmTex H&R Foods LLP, which operate as H&R Foods, a regional food distributor based in Amarillo, Texas. The deal expands PAK Quality Foods’ product and service offerings and broadens its customer footprint across Texas and neighboring states; H&R Foods’ leadership (John and Barry Vernon) will remain with the business.

Patriot Pickle, a Wayne, New Jersey-based manufacturer and distributor of pickles and fermented products, has acquired Cosmo's Food Products, a family-owned specialty peppers and antipasto manufacturer based in West Haven, Connecticut. The deal expands Patriot's product portfolio, manufacturing capacity and service offering for grocery and foodservice customers; terms were not disclosed.

Brothers International Food Holdings acquired Food Partners, a Winter Haven, Florida-based citrus ingredient supplier, adding citrus sourcing and logistics capabilities to its global ingredients platform. The deal positions Brothers to deepen its sourcing power and support food and beverage manufacturers across North America and Europe, while Food Partners’ founder Webb Tanner remains in his role as a minority owner.

Forward Consumer Partners has acquired a 51% ownership stake in the Justin’s brand, creating a standalone Justin’s company that will be 51% owned by Forward and 49% owned by Hormel Foods. The transaction returns founder Justin Gold as a strategic advisor and installs Peter Burns as CEO as the business — known for nut butters and USDA-certified organic chocolate confections — seeks focused resources to accelerate growth.

Fortifi Food Processing Solutions has completed its acquisition of Provisur Technologies, a provider of further-processing equipment and aftermarket support for the protein industry. The deal expands Fortifi’s downstream processing and aftermarket capabilities, bringing Provisur’s brands and service network into the PE-backed Fortifi platform (which is backed by KKR).

Dallas-based Braemont Capital has made a strategic growth investment in Royal Cup Coffee & Tea, a nearly 130-year-old Birmingham roaster and distributor. The partnership will provide capital and operational support to expand Royal Cup's roasting and distribution capabilities and strengthen its presence across hospitality, foodservice, healthcare and convenience channels.

Horizon Family Brands has acquired Maple Hill Creamery, bringing the 100% grass-fed organic dairy maker into Horizon’s portfolio to expand its organic dairy offerings and strengthen retail distribution across the U.S. The deal aims to combine Maple Hill’s grass‑fed expertise and farmer network with Horizon’s scale to accelerate innovation, supply‑chain resilience, and nationwide reach.

SNH Capital Partners has made a strategic growth investment in Arctic Fisheries, a Buffalo, New York-based importer and distributor of premium seafood products. Michael Kotok will remain a shareholder and continue to lead the company as SNH provides capital and operational resources to accelerate Arctic Fisheries' growth across existing and new markets.

Paine Schwartz Partners formed BetterCo Holdings, a new platform for downstream food and beverage investments, and announced BetterCo’s first two holdings: Crisp Inc., an AI-driven commerce intelligence platform, and Lucky Energy, a better-for-you energy drink brand. The investments will fund Crisp’s AI commercialization and go-to-market expansion and support Lucky Energy’s distribution, brand building, and sales growth.

Turnspire Capital Partners (with partner AgraMarke Quality Grains) acquired LifeLine Foods LLC and ICM Biofuels LLC and combined operations under The LifeLine Group. The combined platform will operate LifeLine Foods (food-grade corn ingredients) and LifeLine Biofuels (renewable fuels produced from starch streams) to capture operational synergies and expand capabilities across food, building products and biofuels markets.

Urban Farmer, a Paine Schwartz Partners–backed manufacturer of frozen dough and pizza products based in Manteno, Illinois, has acquired CAULIPOWER, the leading better‑for‑you cauliflower‑crust and gluten‑free frozen pizza brand. The deal combines Urban Farmer’s integrated manufacturing platform with CAULIPOWER’s brand, nationwide distribution, and innovation pipeline to create a vertically integrated frozen better‑for‑you foods platform; financial terms were not disclosed.

Cotton Creek Capital has made a strategic investment to acquire Ne-Mo's Bakery, a San Diego–based producer of individually wrapped cakes and baked goods. The investment is intended to accelerate growth through expanded manufacturing capacity, product innovation, and commercial investment to broaden the company's retail and convenience-store distribution.

Xceed Foodservice Group, a portfolio company of San Francisco Equity Partners, has made an investment in Stillwater Provisions, expanding Xceed's coverage into the Mid‑Atlantic and increasing the platform’s footprint to 33 states. Management of Stillwater will continue to operate the business and retain significant equity; terms were not disclosed.

Nautic Partners, in partnership with Cenavera management, has completed the acquisition of Cenavera Nutrition from Harkness Capital Partners. Cenavera, headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a leading independent K-12 outsourced foodservice operator serving roughly 350–380 districts across 33 states; Nautic intends to support organic growth, geographic expansion and add-on acquisitions to deepen its presence in the K-12 foodservice market.

Nactarome Group, majority owned by private equity firm TA Associates, has acquired Plantex SAS, a French producer of high-quality plant extracts for the food, nutraceutical, cosmetics and animal nutrition markets. The deal is an add-on to Nactarome’s ingredient platform to expand its plant-extraction capabilities and product offering; terms were not disclosed.

Red Arts Capital, a Chicago-based investment firm focused on supply-chain and logistics businesses, has acquired Forestwood Farm, a family-owned produce distributor headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. The acquisition adds Forestwood to Red Arts' produce processing and logistics portfolio (joining Freshway Foods) and expands the firm's distribution footprint in the Southeastern United States; Forestwood's second-generation owners will remain in leadership roles.

CCMP Growth Advisors has acquired a majority ownership stake in A1 Cash & Carry, a Mississauga-based foodservice cash-and-carry wholesaler, from National Foods, which will retain a minority interest. The founder and CEO Amjad "Jay" Parvaiz will remain in place as CCMP partners with management to scale A1's multi-site business and expand its footprint across Canada.

Buyers Edge Platform, a digital procurement network for the foodservice industry, has acquired the National Golf Course Restaurant Association (NGCRA). NGCRA will continue to operate under its existing name and structure while gaining access to Buyers Edge Platform’s technology, supply‑chain expertise and rebate programs to better serve golf, country club and private club food & beverage operators.

Avance Investment Management has made a strategic minority investment in Barchemy, LLC, a developer and manufacturer of better-for-you chocolate and confectionery ingredients. Barchemy Founder and CEO Larry Toscano will retain a significant ownership stake and continue to lead the company as the business invests to expand capacity, facilities and product innovation; terms were not disclosed.

Arbor Investments, a private equity firm focused on food and beverage, has acquired Acxion Foodservice, a North American sales and marketing platform serving the foodservice channel, from Prospect Hill Growth Partners. The deal is Arbor Investments VI's second platform investment; Acxion's existing leadership team will remain in place and the transaction terms were not disclosed.

Fengate Private Equity, on behalf of the LiUNA Pension Fund of Central and Eastern Canada, has made a minority-growth investment in Sweets from the Earth, a Toronto-based maker of 100% plant-based, allergy-friendly baked goods. Founders Ilana and Marc Kadonoff retain a significant minority stake and will continue to lead the company as Fengate provides capital and resources to accelerate expansion across Canada and into the U.S.; financial terms were not disclosed.

Baja Aqua-Farms, a portfolio company of New York-based private equity firm Castle Harlan, has acquired Baja Marine Foods, a fishing and seafood processing company headquartered in Baja California, Mexico. The deal expands Baja Aqua-Farms' vertically integrated seafood platform and adds marine-ingredient capabilities (fishmeal and fish oil) while enhancing supply-chain traceability.

St. Petersburg-based SI Private Capital made an equity investment to acquire Sarasota-based Yoder's Southern Creamery and Sutter's Quality Foods. Founder Bill Yoder will retain an ownership stake and Brian Richardson will continue as CEO; SIPC said the capital will support future growth and capitalization for both companies.

Inverness Graham-backed pet treat platform Treat Planet has acquired Bosco & Roxy's, a London, Ontario-based manufacturer of premium baked dog treats. The acquisition expands Treat Planet's Grab-and-Go product portfolio and adds Bosco & Roxy's automated 80,000 sq ft manufacturing capabilities to support branded and private-label growth; terms were not disclosed.

MBC Companies, a portfolio company of Entrepreneurial Equity Partners (e2p), has acquired Alpha Foods, a family-owned frozen pizza manufacturer based in Waller, Texas. The deal adds Alpha's purpose-built 115,000 sq. ft. facility to MBC's footprint, expanding manufacturing capacity and pizza capabilities to better serve K-12, retail grocery and foodservice customers; terms were not disclosed.

Industrial Opportunity Partners (IOP) led a recapitalization of Charcuterie Artisans, the parent of Creminelli Fine Meats and Del Duca, acquiring the company’s assets and assuming majority ownership alongside capital partners Oaktree Capital Management, Sandton Capital Partners and Contrarian Capital Management. The transaction eliminated approximately $200 million of debt, secured a new working capital facility from PNC Business Credit, and positions Charcuterie to expand capabilities, strengthen customer partnerships and invest in growth across its premium charcuterie portfolio. Jeff "Trip" Tripician was appointed CEO to lead the company’s next phase.

LDC, the UK mid-market private equity firm, has made an investment in Bespoke Kitchen Foods to support the company's organic and acquisitive growth plans. Bespoke, a Coalville-based manufacturer of vegetarian and vegan products for pubs, restaurants and foodservice wholesalers, will use the capital to expand capacity and enter new segments including high-street casual dining.

Ezdehar Management, via its Ezdehar Mid‑Cap Fund II, has acquired a majority stake in Egyptian snack manufacturer Kemet for Natural Food S.A.E (Kemet). The investment will support Kemet’s plans to expand its product portfolio beyond pretzels, scale production capacity, and accelerate international expansion into markets across Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

TowerBrook Capital Partners, together with Prelude Growth Partners, has made a strategic investment in Amylu Foods, a Chicago-based manufacturer of all‑natural, value‑added chicken products. The capital will support Amylu's plans to scale manufacturing operations and expand distribution across U.S. retail and private‑label channels.

Miami-based private equity firm CREO Capital Partners has acquired Bova Fresh, a Boca Raton-based food procurement and distribution company that serves retail and foodservice customers across the U.S. Founders Bob Wilhelm and Steve San Filippo retain a minority stake and will continue to run the business; CREO plans to integrate Bova Fresh with other portfolio assets to expand sourcing, distribution and Latin America-focused procurement capabilities.

Firelight Capital Partners has acquired Miami-based Snif-Snax, a maker and distributor of single-ingredient smoked salmon and chicken pet treats. Firelight plans to invest in a new distribution and manufacturing facility, product innovation and infrastructure improvements while founder Jonathan Brown and family retain ownership stakes and new executives (Kevin Fick as CEO, Jeff Sutherland as COO) join the company.

Mrs. Gerry's Kitchen, a portfolio company of Sequel Holdings, has acquired Garden-Fresh Foods. Alantra acted as exclusive financial advisor to Garden-Fresh; the family owners (Tom and Vicki Hughes and their sons) and CEO John Colapinto will remain involved after the sale, and the deal brings together two prepared-salad manufacturers to expand scale and capabilities in refrigerated ready-to-eat foods.

Generous Brands, a Butterfly portfolio company, has completed its acquisition of Health-Ade from private equity firms First Bev and Manna Tree Partners, with Manna Tree remaining as a minority shareholder in Generous Brands. The acquisition expands Generous Brands' premium refrigerated beverage portfolio—adding the fast-growing Health-Ade kombucha brand (retail sales near $200–250M, distribution in ~65,000 outlets)—and increases the platform's scale, manufacturing capabilities, and channel strength.

Arable Capital Partners’ portfolio company organicgirl has merged with Braga Fresh and acquired Dole Fresh Vegetables/Bud Antle to create a combined produce platform focused on branded organic salads and value‑added vegetables. The transaction brings together vertically integrated growing and processing capabilities and appoints Tim Stejskal as CEO to lead the newly combined business.