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🍕 Brynwood Partners to sell Great Kitchens Food Company to Rich Products Corporation 🍕 Brynwood Partners has agreed to sell Great Kitchens Food Company to Rich Products for an undisclosed sum, marking another transaction in an active period of deal-making for the private equity firm. Formed in 2020, Great Kitchens has grown into one of the leading US manufacturers of private label and branded take-and-bake pizzas, supplying retail, foodservice and e-commerce channels nationwide. Its platform was strengthened in 2023 through the acquisition of the Uno Foods Division, adding Pizzeria Uno deep-dish pizzas, strombolis and calzones to its portfolio. For Rich Products, the acquisition expands its presence in pizza and flatbreads, complementing its existing capabilities across baked goods and crusts. The company has said the deal will support additional capacity, innovation and scale across both deli and frozen pizza formats. The sale represents the latest move in a busy period for Brynwood Partners, which has recently completed several high-profile transactions across food and beverage as it continues to actively manage and reshape its portfolio. #foodandbeveragenews #privateequity #acquisitions #frozenfood #pizza #qlmsearch

✨𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀✨ Constantia Flexibles, a global manufacturer of flexible packaging solutions, has announced the appointment of Mariella Röhm-Kottmann as its new Group Chief Financial Officer. Rohm-Kottmann brings extensive international finance leadership experience across industrial and manufacturing environments. Her background spans financial strategy, operational performance and transformation, positioning her well to support Constantia Flexibles as it continues to execute its growth agenda across global markets. In her new role, she will oversee the company’s global finance organisation, supporting disciplined capital allocation, operational efficiency and long-term value creation. Her appointment strengthens Constantia Flexibles’ leadership team as the business continues to focus on scale, sustainability and execution across its international footprint. Congratulations Mariella! 👏 #foodandbeveragenews #packaging #newexecutiveappointments #leadership #qlmsearch

✨𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀✨ Barry Callebaut Group appoints Hein Schumacher as Chief Executive Officer! Barry Callebaut, one of the world’s leading chocolate and cocoa manufacturers, has announced the appointment of Hein Schumacher as Chief Executive Officer, effective 26 January, succeeding Peter Feld. Schumacher joins Barry Callebaut with deep experience in global consumer goods, having previously held senior leadership roles at Unilever, including responsibility for global operations. His background in managing complex, international businesses positions him well to lead the company through a period of market volatility and structural change within the cocoa sector. The appointment comes as Barry Callebaut navigates a challenging operating environment shaped by raw material cost pressures, supply chain complexity and evolving sustainability expectations. Against this backdrop, the company continues to focus on premium chocolate, industrial solutions and long-term partnerships with global food manufacturers. With Schumacher at the helm, Barry Callebaut is reinforcing its leadership as it works to balance near-term market dynamics with its long-term strategy across innovation, sustainability and global scale. Congratulations Hein! 👏 #foodandbeveragenews #newexecutiveappointments #leadership #qlmsearch

📦 Butterfly Equity has acquired digital packaging specialist ePac Flexible Packaging 📦 Butterfly Equity has completed the acquisition of ePac Flexible Packaging, marking its first platform investment in the packaging sector. Founded in 2016, ePac provides digitally printed flexible packaging to consumer packaged goods companies, with a strong concentration in food and beverage brands. The business operates 14 facilities across the US and Canada and is built around its proprietary ePacONE platform, enabling short-run, order-to-demand production with fast turnaround times. ePac’s existing leadership team, led by CEO and co-founder Virag Patel, will continue to run the business and has retained a meaningful ownership stake following the transaction. For Butterfly Equity, the acquisition extends its footprint across the food value chain, adding packaging capabilities to a portfolio focused on food and beverage end markets. The firm highlighted ePac’s technology-led model, customer focus, and scalable platform as key drivers behind the investment. #foodandbeveragenews #acquisitions #packaging #qlmsearch

✨𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀✨ Cove Soda has appointed Bryan Crowley as Chief Executive Officer as the brand enters its next phase of growth in the fast-expanding functional soda category! Crowley brings more than 25 years of leadership experience across food, beverage and consumer brands, most recently serving as CEO of G FUEL. He has also played a key role in launching and scaling brands including Casa Azul Spirits and ZenWTR, bringing a track record of disciplined growth and brand building. Joining him, Craig Olkiewicz brings deep commercial and sales expertise from senior roles across beverage and CPG, most recently as SVP of Sales at Nutrabolt, while Joseph Lee, who joined last year, adds over 20 years of global operations and supply-chain experience to support efficient scaling. Cove Soda has grown from a farmers’ market startup into Canada’s leading functional soda brand and is now expanding into the U.S., supported by recent $15m Series A funding. Backed by founders John and Ryan MacLellan and an experienced leadership team, Cove is entering its next phase of growth with a clear focus on execution and long-term scale in the better-for-you beverage space. Congratulations Bryan, Craig & Joseph! 👏 #foodandbeveragenews #newexecutiveappointments #leadership #qlmsearch

🥑Mission Produce® has acquired Calavo Growers🥑 Mission Produce has entered into an agreement to acquire Calavo Growers, bringing together two established players in the North American avocado market. The transaction expands Mission’s avocado business across sourcing, packing and distribution, while also broadening its footprint across the wider fresh produce value chain. Calavo’s grower relationships, operational infrastructure and branded presence add scale and depth to Mission’s existing platform. Beyond avocados, the acquisition supports greater portfolio diversification, creating a more integrated produce business with increased reach across customers and channels. Once completed, the combination is expected to strengthen supply chain capabilities and operational resilience, reflecting continued consolidation in fresh produce as companies look to secure supply and scale efficiently. #foodandbeveragenews #acquisitions #freshproduce #qlmsearch

✨𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀✨ Mars has announced that Marc Carena will become Global President, Mars Petcare from January 2026, succeeding Loic Moutault following a highly successful career spanning more than 30 years with the company! Carena joined Mars in 2022 as Regional President, Mars Snacking Europe, Central Eurasia & International Travel Retail, delivering strong performance across a footprint spanning 55 markets. Prior to Mars, he served as Managing Director of McDonald’s in Russia, leading more than 60,000 employees and driving significant market growth. He also brings deep FMCG and retail experience from leadership roles at Nestlé and Metro Group, and currently serves as Vice-President of the European Food and Drink Association. Mars CEO Poul Weihrauch described Carena as the right leader for the next phase, highlighting his ability to drive results through change while keeping customers, consumers and teams at the centre. With Carena taking the helm, Mars Petcare strengthens its leadership as it continues to scale its global platform across nutrition, veterinary care and diagnostics and advance its long-term purpose of delivering A Better World for Pets. Congratulations Marc! 👏 #foodandbeveragenews #newexecutiveappointments #leadership #qlmsearch

✨𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀✨ Hormel Foods has confirmed the upcoming retirements of two senior executives, Mark Morey and Paul Peil, as the company continues to sharpen its focus across fresh pork and fresh & ready meats. Mark Morey, currently Vice President of Operations, Fresh Pork, will retire after more than 30 years with the business. Across a wide range of leadership roles, he has been closely associated with strengthening execution, operational rigour and customer outcomes within the fresh pork organisation. Paul Peil, Vice President of Marketing, Fresh and Ready Meats, is also stepping down following a 36-year career. He has played a key role in shaping marketing strategy and deepening customer partnerships to support growth across the category. As Hormel looks ahead, the company remains focused on driving innovation and performance in its protein portfolio, aligned with evolving consumer demand for convenience, quality and choice. Congratulations to Mark and Paul on their retirements! 👏 #foodandbeveragenews #meat #leadershipchanges #retirement #qlmsearch

✨𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵✨ 💼 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 - 𝗥𝗮𝘄 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 📍 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮, 𝗨𝗦𝗔 ▪️ 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘤 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘖𝘎𝘚 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘉𝘰𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘢𝘵 𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘵-𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱. Interested? Get in Touch with James Powell! 👇

✨𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀✨ Suntory Global Spirits has appointed Davin Nugent as President - Global RTD! Nugent brings more than 25 years of beverage industry experience, with a strong track record in RTD innovation and international expansion. He previously served as Global VP of Innovation at AB InBev and as CEO of Mark Anthony Brands International, building deep expertise in scaling brands and shaping consumer-led product strategies across markets. In his new role, Nugent will oversee Suntory’s expanding RTD portfolio, including key brands such as On The Rocks Premium Cocktails and –196 (minus one-nine-six), both of which have played an important role in driving the company’s recent category momentum. The appointment signals Suntory’s ambition to strengthen its leadership in RTD globally, leveraging its heritage of craftsmanship and its capability to deliver premium, locally relevant innovations at scale. Congratulations Davin! 👏 #foodandbeveragenews #newexecutiveappointments #leadership #qlmsearch