EFFEPI acquired by ORANGE CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT

Orchard Foods Valley Ltd (backed by Orkla) has consolidated its position within the sweet ingredients category by executing the 100% share acquisition of Phoenix Brands, a specialized UK-based manufacturer of premium biscuits and baked inclusions. This strategic buy-and-build move establishes a robust operational foothold for the group, driving the localized expansion of its industrial manufacturing capabilities in the UK. The transaction directly reflects the acquirer’s portfolio diversification strategy, which targets high-margin, high-growth ingredient verticals. Phoenix Brands enhances the group's market offering by contributing an innovative, modern manufacturing platform alongside a high-quality product portfolio tailored to the exacting standards of both industrial food conglomerates and artisanal clients. By scaling this consolidated platform and capturing commercial synergies, the group intends to accelerate market share gains, optimize its competitive positioning, and meet the shifting demands of the wider food ingredients sector.

The combination of Eat Happy and Hana’s European business establishes a unified pan-Asian convenience platform encompassing approximately 5,800 points of sale across 14 European nations. This transaction represents a complete equity realization for Permira Funds within the European market following an expansion period since 2019. The consolidation merges Hana’s deep footprint in Western Europe with Eat Happy’s established network in Central Europe. Blending these complementary operational networks removes regional redundancies and deepens the product matrix offered to major grocery corporations. Retail partners gain access to a flexible dual-format solution pairing manned culinary kiosks with high-velocity automated chillers. The expanded scale increases purchasing power over volatile global seafood supply lines. One Rock Capital Partners structures this strategic investment to capture resilient consumer demand for healthy convenience foods. Combining these operating platforms mitigates the margin compression caused by rising labor costs in decentralized food preparation. The integrated entity holds a dominant market position positioned to secure long-term exclusivity agreements with consolidated European retail monopolies.

Ambienta SGR, through its Small Cap fund, has acquired a majority stake in The Bridge from the founding Negro Marcigaglia family. The founders have committed to reinvesting alongside the private equity firm and will continue to play a key leadership role in the company's development. The strategic rationale for the acquisition is to capitalize on the robust growth of the plant-based food sector, driven by consumer shifts toward sustainable and healthier diets. Ambienta intends to leverage its international network and sustainability expertise to accelerate The Bridge’s expansion, strengthen its organizational structure, and further invest in product innovation. This transaction marks the second investment for Ambienta’s Small Cap strategy, following the recent acquisition of Pieco.

The transaction is structured as a significant strategic investment by One Rock Capital Partners into Eat Happy Group to simultaneously fund the acquisition of Hana Group's European operations. This corporate combination merges two highly complementary convenience food providers to establish an integrated pan-European fresh food platform. The institutional capital injection secures the necessary funding to combine corporate assets without overleveraging the target's balance sheet. Upon completion, the combined operating structure will control approximately 5,800 points of sale across fourteen European nations. This expanded geographic reach offers immediate diversification by introducing the Eat Happy brand into premium markets including France, the United Kingdom, and Spain. The industrial integration combines Hana's live-cooking kiosk expertise with the German operator's established chiller and shop-in-shop distribution formats. Supermarket partners will gain access to a highly flexible product assortment, maximizing retail sales volumes per square meter of store floor. Closing remains subject to mandatory consultations with relevant European works councils and customary anti-trust regulatory clearances. Willkie Farr & Gallagher provides exclusive legal advisory services to the acquiring sponsor.

Ares Management has led a €300 million ($346 million) single-asset continuation fund to extend the ownership of Europastry, currently held by MCH Private Equity (who originally invested in 2011). The transaction includes participation from the Asset Management Umbrella Fund (advised by the EIF) and Newbury Bridgepoint. This strategic move follows Europastry’s decision to cancel its IPO in 2024 due to unfavorable market conditions. The structure provides liquidity to MCH's older fund investors while allowing MCH and the Gallés family to maintain their stakes and support the company’s "solid growth prospects." The capital will be used to further Europastry's internationalization strategy, particularly in the US and Portugal, and to fund its intensive €124M+ annual R&D and technology investment program.

AlphaPet Ventures has completed the acquisition of 100% of Cpro Food, marking its fifth strategic acquisition since 2020. This transaction serves as AlphaPet’s primary entry point into the Belgian market, a high-value territory for premium pet nutrition. The strategic rationale centers on integrating Cpro Food’s strong local brand equity and breeder network into AlphaPet’s European digital platform. The acquisition was financed through a combination of equity, led by Patria Investments and Venture Stars, and debt provided by CVC. A key element of the deal is the retention of the founding Germeau sisters, who will continue to lead the brand’s next growth phase to ensure continuity for customers and partners. This merger reinforces AlphaPet's position as a dominant European consolidator in the pet food industry, utilizing its tech-enabled platform to accelerate Cpro Food’s internationalization while maintaining its high-quality Belgian manufacturing standards.

NextStage AM has acquired a majority stake in the Société des Eaux Minérales d’Arcachon (SEMA), taking over from the long-term owner and wine merchant Jean Merlaut, who exited his entire position. The transaction was carried out pari passu through the NextStage Evergreen vehicle and the "Pépites & Territoires" FPCI, representing a combined equity ticket of €30 million. Hervé Maudet, the co-owner and long-standing director of the company, has been appointed President and maintains a minority stake in the new structure. The strategic rationale for the acquisition is focused on transforming SEMA from a regional powerhouse into a national premium brand. With the company currently producing 50 million bottles annually and generating approximately 50% of its revenue from the restaurant trade, NextStage aims to double the size of the business over the next five years. The strategy involves strengthening the premium brand identity of the Abatilles and Source des Pins labels and expanding distribution networks significantly beyond the Southwest region of France. A key factor in the investment decision was SEMA’s superior water resource availability, with current extraction volumes remaining well below authorized administrative limits, providing a clear path for organic growth without the resource constraints faced by competitors. The deal was supported by a senior debt package (Tranches A and B) provided by the company’s historical banking pool and followed a competitive process involving generalist funds and family offices.

LSDH has acquired 100% of Biscuiterie de Chambord following the retirement of the target company’s longtime director. The strategic rationale for the transaction is the continued diversification of LSDH’s portfolio into the artisanal and premium biscuit segment, a move that aligns with the group's long-term strategy of regional expansion. By integrating the biscuit maker, LSDH aims to leverage industrial and commercial synergies to consolidate and accelerate the development of the Chambord brand. The acquisition allows LSDH to tap into the high-margin "gastronomic products" niche while supporting local skills and production in its home region of Centre-Val de Loire. This deal follows LSDH’s recent large-scale acquisition of Bonduelle’s packaged-salad business, further demonstrating the group’s ambition to become a multi-category leader in the French food industry.

BRIDOR has announced the acquisition of PANAMAR BAKERY GROUP for an enterprise value exceeding €1 billion, making it the largest transaction in the history of the LE DUFF Group. This landmark deal integrates 11 Spanish production sites and 2,600 employees into Bridor’s existing network, creating a global powerhouse with a combined turnover of €2.5 billion in 2026. The strategic rationale for the deal is rooted in the "Premiumization" of the frozen bakery market and the capture of the highly resilient Spanish tourism and retail channels. By acquiring the Valencian leader, Bridor immediately gains access to a competitive export hub via the Port of Valencia and adds 1,200 specialized references to its global portfolio. This acquisition is the fifth major move in a multi-year global investment plan, following recent entries into Australia and the Netherlands. The partnership is designed to harmonize high-volume industrial excellence with traditional bakery craftsmanship, effectively cementing Bridor’s undisputed leadership in the professional food service and premium retail sectors worldwide.

Atria Sweden has acquired a 25% minority interest in Cookin Food Sweden AB from its parent company, Bite Delight AB. The strategic rationale for the transaction is rooted in Atria’s "TOGETHER 2030" strategy, specifically targeting the convenience food sector as a key growth driver. This investment provides Atria with a strategic foothold in premium convenience categories like travel services and craftsmanship-driven retail food solutions. Crucially, the agreement includes a call option for Atria to acquire the remaining shares of Bite Delight AB after 2028, establishing a clear roadmap for eventual full integration. The partnership leverages Cookin Food's culinary expertise and Atria's industrial strength to accelerate the development of the convenience food business in Sweden. This transaction represents a validation of Cookin Food’s artisanal production model while allowing Atria to diversify its portfolio into high-margin, fresh-daily product segments.