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03/2026100%

Huel acquired by Danone

UNITED KINGDOM Food Processing / Food Products EV £500M–1.5bn

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)

Year
Rev
EBITDA
EBIT
2025
£250–500M
£10–30M
[members only]
2024
£250–500M
£10–30M
[members only]

Other operations with Huel

Other operations with Huel
DateAcquirerTargetCountrySector
01/2022HIGHLAND EUROPE / MANAGEMENT & PRIVATE INVESTORSHUELUNITED KINGDOMFood Products
10/2018HIGHLAND EUROPEHUELUNITED KINGDOMFood Products

Other operations with Danone

Other operations with Danone
DateAcquirerTargetCountrySector
06/2026DANONETHE MADE GROUPAUSTRALIADairy
04/2019DANONEMICHEL ET AUGUSTINFRANCEFood Products
07/2016DANONEWHITEWAVEUNITED STATESDairy
06/2016DANONEMICHEL ET AUGUSTINFRANCEFood 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.

FAQ

What transaction does this page cover?

This page covers Danone’s acquisition of 100% of Huel, a British company specialised in Food Products, in 2026. This followed an earlier holding cycle initiated in January 2022, when the company was acquired by Highland Europe / Management & Private Investors.

How was the acquisition of Huel by Danone valued, and what multiples were paid?

mynth displays the transaction’s enterprise value within the £500M–1.5bn band, its EV/EBITDA multiple within the Above 20x range, and its EV/revenue multiple within the 2x - 6x range. Exact figures are available to members.

What were Huel’s revenue and EBITDA at the time of the deal?

At the time of the transaction, Huel generated annual revenue estimated in the £250–500M range and EBITDA in the £10–30M bracket (FY 2025). Detailed financial figures are available to members.

What sources support the information on this transaction?

Data on this transaction was compiled from the official corporate announcement published by the parties, combined with independent reporting from specialized financial and M&A publications.

What is mynth?

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