Huel acquired by Danone
Context
Danone has acquired 100% of Huel. This represents a significant milestone in the second chapter of the "Renew Danone" strategy, which focuses on accelerating growth through high-added-value acquisitions. This transaction allows the French group to establish a dominant position in the rapidly expanding "nutritiously complete" and functional nutrition category. The strategic rationale for the deal centers on the perfect alignment between Huel’s high-growth, plant-based protein portfolio and Danone’s global leadership in specialized nutrition. By acquiring Huel, Danone gains access to a cutting-edge digital business model and a premium, younger consumer base that is increasingly seeking convenient and healthy meal alternatives. The partnership is designed to be highly complementary, combining Huel’s entrepreneurial agility and D2C expertise with Danone’s industrial scale, research facilities, and extensive worldwide retail network. This move follows a series of targeted acquisitions by the group in the medical and biotic nutrition spaces, reinforcing its shift away from lower-margin traditional dairy toward high-performance, science-backed nutritional solutions. For Huel, the integration provides the necessary infrastructure to accelerate international expansion and enter new geographic markets more rapidly than it could as a standalone entity.
By taking control of Huel, Danone continues its expansion strategy. Previously, the group had completed 3 acquisitions, including Michel et Augustin in 2019.
Huel, which reported an EBITDA margin of [members only] in 2025, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of Above 20x.
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Target
Founded in 2015, Huel (a portmanteau of "Human" and "Fuel") is a leading specialist in nutritionally complete, convenient, and sustainable food solutions. The company provides a comprehensive range of vegan, high-protein, and vitamin-enriched products, including ready-to-drink beverages, powders, bars, and hot meals. Huel’s business model is characterized by a sophisticated digital execution and a highly effective direct-to-consumer (D2C) online sales strategy, complemented by a rapidly accelerating retail presence. The brand targets health-conscious consumers and fitness enthusiasts with a "science-based" approach to nutrition, focusing on essential nutrient delivery and functional benefits. Strategically, Huel operates its own manufacturing facility in the UK and utilizes a global network of specialized co-packers to serve a loyal community of customers across the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States.
Ent. Value
£500M–1.5bn
Equity Value
[members only]
Multiples
EV / Revenue
2x–6x
EV / EBITDA
Above 20x
EV / EBIT
[members only]
Historical Financials (GBP)
Other operations with Huel
Other operations with Danone
| Date | Acquirer | Target | Country | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/2026 | DANONE | THE MADE GROUP | AUSTRALIA | Dairy |
| 04/2019 | DANONE | MICHEL ET AUGUSTIN | FRANCE | Food Products |
| 07/2016 | DANONE | WHITEWAVE | UNITED STATES | Dairy |
| 06/2016 | DANONE | MICHEL ET AUGUSTIN | FRANCE | Food Products |
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REFERENCES
Valuation range: EV £500M–1.5bn
Revenue range: £250–500M
EBITDA range: £10–30M
EV/Revenue range: 2x - 6x
EV/EBITDA range: Above 20x
Note: This page provides detailed data on a private equity M&A transaction. Detailed and exact financial metrics for the acquisition of Huel by Danone are reserved for mynth community members. Register for free to unlock full data.
Authors: This transaction was contributed by a verified mynth contributor and cross-checked against available transaction documents and official company communications.
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