Consumer Private Placement and M&A Transactions Review Week Ending April 6, 2025

Chef Robotics: The company raised $43.1 million through a combination of debt and venture funding on March 31, 2025. The company is a developer of an artificial intelligence-enabled robot designed to help food companies overcome labor shortages and increase production volumes.

Nixie: The company raised $27 million of venture funding from undisclosed investors on March 31, 2025. The company is a producer of flavored sparkling water made with organic ingredients.

Grüns: The company raised $21.1 million of venture funding from Vanterra Ventures, Selva Ventures and Able Partners on April 4, 2025. SilverCircle, Grt Sht Ventures, Plus Capital and Sugar Capital also participated in the round. The company produces and markets Grüns daily gummies that contain 20+ vitamins, minerals, organic fruits, veggies, and adaptogens. The gummies are gluten, dairy, and nut-free, with low-sugar and sugar-free options.

Hello Soju: The company raised $6.8 million of venture funding in a deal led by Ted Schlein on April 4, 2025. The company is a producer of RTD alcoholic beverages that include Korean soju spirits, mixed with real fruit juice, all-natural flavoring and sparkling water.

Wet Hydration: The company raised $4.5 million of venture funding from undisclosed investors on April 1, 2025. The company is a producer of functional wellness beverages with vitamins, minerals, and natural ingredients designed to provide health benefits.

Big River Coffee: The company received development capital from 691 Investments in April 2025. The company is a retailer and wholesaler of premium coffee blends in the US.

Chateau Virant: The company received an undisclosed amount of development capital from BD Partners in April 2025. The company is an operator of a vineyard and olive grove located in Aix-en-Provence, France.

K&L Wine Merchants: The company received an undisclosed amount of development capital from L Capital in April 2025. The company is a retailer of wines and spirits sold through stores and online platforms.

Truvani: The company received an undisclosed amount of development capital from Rx3 Growth Partners in April 2025. The company is a producer and retailer of organic plant-based protein powder.

Yard Sale Pizza: The company received an undisclosed amount of development capital from Piper Private Equity on April 4, 2025. The company is an operator of a chain of pizzerias offering freshly made handcrafted pizzas in the London area.

Alani Nu / Celsius Holdings: The company, a subsidiary of Congo Brands, was acquired by Celsius Holdings for $1.8 billion on April 1, 2025. The company is a producer and retailer of low-calorie health and fitness products with unique flavors, including energy drinks, supplements, and snacks.

Harvest Hill Beverage / Centerview Capital: The company reached a definitive agreement to be acquired by Castillo Hermanos and Centerview Capital, a subsidiary of Centerview Partners, for an estimated $1.5 billion on April 3, 2025. The company is a manufacturer and distributor of beverages intended to service retail and food-service channels including grocery, mass merchandisers, warehouse clubs, convenience, food service, liquor stores, and distributors and wholesalers.

LesserEvil / The Hershey Company: The company reached a definitive agreement to be acquired by The Hershey Company for an estimated $750 million on April 3, 2025. The company is a producer of organic and sustainable better-for-you snack food products, including popcorn, puffed snacks and salty snacks.

Island Abbey Nutritionals / TopGum: The company was acquired by TopGum for $20 million on April 3, 2025. The company specializes in manufacturing gummies and lozenges for the dietary supplement, natural health, and specialty food industries, and provides full contract manufacturing, bottling, and packaging services.

Albemarle Distributing / Johnson Brothers Liquor Company: The company reached a definitive agreement to be acquired by Johnson Brothers Liquor Company for an undisclosed amount on March 31, 2025. The company is a distributor of beverage products for wholesale supply chains in eastern North Carolina.

Bin To Bottle / West Pike: The company was acquired by West Pike through an LBO on April 2, 2025 for an undisclosed amount. The company is a custom crush winery specializing in producing high-quality wines and alternative beverages, and offers full-service production, packaging, and canning for wines, hard seltzers, ciders, spritzers, beer, and spirits.

Bonduelle / Taylor Farms: The Packaged Salad Business in France of Bonduelle was acquired by Taylor Fresh Foods for an undisclosed amount on April 1, 2025. The company is a producer of plant-based food products, including fresh vegetables, prepared salads, and ready-to-eat dishes.

Conimex / Paulig Group: The company, a subsidiary of Unilever was acquired by Paulig Group for an undisclosed amount on April 1, 2025. The company is a Dutch brand of Asian food, known for its products to prepare Indonesian dishes, and is the leading Asian food brand in the Netherlands that is exported to over 20 countries.

Dry Dock Brewing / Left Hand Brewing: The company reached a definitive agreement to be acquired by Left Hand Brewing for an undisclosed amount on April 3, 2025. The company is an operator of two craft microbreweries serving a variety of beers, including a signature series and Mysters Hard Seltzer.

FarmWise Labs / Taylor Farms: The company was acquired by Taylor Farms for an undisclosed amount on April 4, 2025. The company is a developer of farming robots designed to facilitate autonomous cultivation and organic farming.

Foodbag / Colruyt: The company was acquired by Colruyt for an undisclosed amount on April 1, 2025. The company is a provider of a variety of meal kit options, including plant-based, gourmet, and budget-friendly, and has expanded into ready-made meals and other food-related products.

Great Divide Brewing / Wilding Brands: The company was acquired by Wilding Brands for an undisclosed amount on April 1, 2025. The company is an operator of a brewery based in Denver, Colorado.

KTC Food Group / Whitworths: The company reached a definitive agreement to be acquired by Whitworths, a subsidiary of Anatolia, for an undisclosed amount on April 1, 2025. The company is a producer of edible oils and fats intended for major food channels.

Mela / Calypso Lemonade: The company was acquired by Calypso Lemonade, via its financial sponsors Mason Wells and Audax Private Equity, through an LBO on April 2, 2025 for an undisclosed amount. The company produces and sells a premium, plant-based watermelon juice beverage, with electrolytes and antioxidants, that is naturally sweet and packaged in a can.

Prairie Berries / Grasslands Brokerage & Consulting: The company was acquired by Grasslands Brokerage & Consulting for an undisclosed amount on April 1, 2025. The company is a Saskatchewan-based business specializing in the production and sale of Saskatoon berries and related products, including freeze-dried powder, whole berries, and puree, sold worldwide.

Rogge’s Foods / Crystal Bay Foods: The company was acquired by Crystal Bay Foods for an undisclosed amount on March 31, 2025. The company is a wholesaler of meat serving Wisconsin and nearby states.

Two Chicks / Eurovo: The company was acquired by Eurovo, via its financial sponsor Amundi, through an LBO on April 2, 2025 for an undisclosed amount. The company is a manufacturer of liquid egg-whites in the UK, and is stocked in major UK supermarkets including Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Lidl, and also in international markets such as France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and the UAE.

Whit’s Frozen Custard / Space Cowboys Restaurant Group: The company was acquired by Space Cowboys Restaurant Group for an undisclosed amount on March 31, 2025. The company is a franchise, known for its fresh, daily-made frozen custard created from a unique frozen custard recipe, with 95 locations in 11 US states.