Finances and Deals
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Courtesy of SlimFast
Splenda owner buys SlimFast for undisclosed amount
The purchase by Heartland Food Products comes as sales for the weight loss brand have plummeted, with more consumers turning to GLP-1 medications.
By Christopher Doering • Sept. 18, 2025 -
Courtesy of Lifeway Foods, Inc.
Danone abandons acquisition of Lifeway Foods
The yogurt giant reportedly didn’t believe the two companies could work together effectively and wanted to pursue opportunities within its own portfolio.
By Christopher Doering • Sept. 18, 2025 -
Trendline
Mergers and acquisitions
Declining sales and slowing consumption have more companies divesting brands, opening the door for smaller players and private equity firms to expand their portfolios.
By Food Dive staff -
Rick Kern/Getty Images for Bloom Nutrition via Getty Images
Nutrabolt boosts stake in Bloom Nutrition with nearly $160M investment
The C4 Energy drink maker, Bloom’s largest investor, said the deal will help it attract a broader customer base.
By Laurel Deppen • Sept. 10, 2025 -
Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
Ben & Jerry’s cofounders push for independence as Unilever’s ice cream spinoff nears
The CPG giant’s Magnum Ice Cream unit said the offering is “a proud part” of its business and it has no interest in selling the Cherry Garcia maker.
By Christopher Doering • Sept. 9, 2025 -
FG Trade Latin via Getty Images
Deep DiveHow legacy CPG brands can crack the social-first marketing code
Ten-figure acquisitions, new agency experiments and organizational changes are underway, but the real key may be relinquishing a sense of control.
By Peter Adams • Sept. 4, 2025 -
Courtesy of PepsiCo
Activist investor pushes for PepsiCo turnaround with $4B stake
Elliott Investment Management said the food and beverage maker has become a “dramatic underperformer,” and there’s a “historic opportunity” to boost its stock price.
By Christopher Doering • Sept. 2, 2025 -
Scott Olson via Getty Images
Kraft Heinz to break up a decade after mega-merger
The ketchup and Lunchables giant will create one business for grocery staples and another for sauces, spreads and seasonings.
By Christopher Doering • Sept. 2, 2025 -
Permission granted by Post Holdings
Post Holdings sells recently acquired pasta business for more than $350M
The company will retain the part of 8th Avenue's portfolio that includes nut butters, fruit and nut products and granola.
By Christopher Doering • Aug. 29, 2025 -
Courtesy of Celsius Holdings
PepsiCo ups stake in Celsius to 11% with $585M deal
Celsius also will acquire the beverage giant’s Rockstar Energy drink brand in the U.S. and Canada.
By Christopher Doering • Aug. 29, 2025 -
David Ryder via Getty Images
4 food trends that could define the rest of 2025
Companies are restructuring operations or rethinking M&A as they feel the heat from slowing sales and face pressure to transform their ingredient lists.
By Christopher Doering , Sarah Zimmerman • Aug. 27, 2025 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Keurig Dr Pepper to buy JDE Peet’s for $18B to boost struggling coffee business
Once the deal closes, the company plans to separate its coffee and beverage units into two independent, publicly listed operations.
By Christopher Doering • Aug. 25, 2025 -
(Drew Angerer/Staff) via Getty Images
Beyond Meat taking longer to pay its bills as plant-based sales plunge
The company said it is “not planning to file for bankruptcy” even as data shows an increase in overdue payments.
By Christopher Doering • Aug. 22, 2025 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
McCormick reaches $750M deal to expand condiments business in Latin America
The spice giant will become the majority owner of a joint venture in Mexico as it sees strong demand for mayonnaise.
By Sarah Zimmerman • Aug. 21, 2025 -
Permission granted by Daring Foods
Daring Foods acquired by one of Australia’s biggest plant-based meat producers
The purchase of the vegan chicken brand gives v2food a U.S. foothold as it looks to become a global plant-based leader through a partnership with Ajinomoto.
By Sarah Zimmerman • Aug. 13, 2025 -
Courtesy of Thrifty Ice Cream
Monster Energy executives aim to revitalize Thrifty Ice Cream
A holding company linked to Hilton Schlosberg and Rodney Sacks plans to bring the former Rite Aid-owned brand into new retailers and geographies.
By Christopher Doering • Aug. 12, 2025 -
Retrieved from Bazooka Brands.
Bazooka chews up $48B confections space by turning candy into ‘edible entertainment’
The gum and Ring Pop maker is differentiating itself through innovations that encourage consumers to play with their food.
By Christopher Doering • Aug. 12, 2025 -
Courtesy of Kellanova
Why Kellanova’s snack brands inked first sports deal as a group
Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Cheez-It and Pop-Tarts marketer has teamed with U.S. Soccer, the governing body for MLS and the NWSL.
By Chris Kelly • Aug. 6, 2025 -
Retrieved from B&G Foods.
B&G Foods continues to sell off brands with the divestment of Le Sueur vegetables
The company has been actively pruning its portfolio in recent years to sharpen its focus and reduce debt.
By Christopher Doering • Aug. 1, 2025 -
Permission granted by Hometown Food Company
Q&AInside the private equity firm giving new life to Chef Boyardee, Pillsbury
Brynwood Partners purchases well-known brands that have fallen out of favor with large CPG manufacturers, then boosts marketing and innovation to rejuvenate sales, says CEO Henk Hartong.
By Christopher Doering • July 14, 2025 -
Brandon Bell via Getty Images
Nutella maker Ferrero to buy WK Kellogg for $3.1B
The acquisition would add cereals such as Froot Loops and Rice Krispies, giving the Luxembourg-based company a deeper U.S. presence in everything from cookies to ice cream.
By Christopher Doering • July 10, 2025 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Monster Energy execs purchase Thrifty ice cream business
A holding company, linked to Hilton Schlosberg and Rodney Sacks, paid $19.2 million for the Rite Aid-owned brand and a healthcare business.
By Christopher Doering • July 9, 2025 -
Permission granted by Del Monte Foods
Canned food maker Del Monte declares bankruptcy, seeks buyer
The 139-year-old company said it is facing pressure from “a dynamic macroeconomic environment,” with a sale the most effective way to turn around its business.
By Christopher Doering • July 2, 2025 -
Courtesy of Lamb Weston
French fry maker Lamb Weston adds new board members after activist pushback
Former CEOs of Nestlé USA and McCormick are set to join as part of a settlement agreement between the frozen potato products manufacturer and shareholder Jana Partners.
By Christopher Doering • July 1, 2025 -
Courtesy of Kellanova
Mars’ $36B takeover of Kellanova delayed amid EU investigation
The merger is now expected to close late this year as regulators look into how the deal could impact Mars’ bargaining power with retailers and prices for consumers.
By Christopher Doering • June 25, 2025 -
Courtesy of Jones Soda
Jones Soda sells cannabis business for $3M
The divestiture of its Mary Jones brand will allow the company to focus on other categories, such as alcohol and functional beverages.
By Christopher Doering • June 24, 2025
