Consumer Private Placement and M&A Transactions Review Week Ending October 26, 2025

Counter Service: The company raised $30 million of Series A venture funding from undisclosed investors on October 22, 2025, putting the company’s pre-money valuation at $112.5 million. The company is an operator of an automated robotic kitchen system for preparing and serving plant-based food in commercial settings.

Bespoken Spirits: The company raised $12.4 million of Series C venture funding from undisclosed investors on October 20, 2025. The company is an operator of a technology-enabled spirits production business using accelerated aging processes to produce whiskey and other distilled spirits.

LISAqua: The company raised EUR 9.4 million of venture funding from Societe Cooperative Agricole Le Gouessant, Mer Invest and Noshaq on October 20, 2025, putting the company’s pre-money valuation at EUR 12.6 million. Fonds Revolution Environnementale et Solidaire, Crédit Mutuel Impact, and other undisclosed investors also participated in the round. The company is an operator of a sustainable aquaculture farm intended to breed shrimp.

UMe Tea: The company raised $10 million of Series A venture funding in a deal led by iFly.vc, Conductive Ventures and MY Capital on October 24, 2025. The company is an operator of a retail tea beverage chain serving customizable tea-based drinks and specialty beverages.

Odyssey Elixir: The company raised $6.3 million of venture funding from Ei Ventures and other undisclosed investors on October 23, 2025. The company is a producer of functional mushroom-infused energy drinks and beverages formulated with adaptogens and nootropics.

Upp: The company raised GBP 2 million of venture funding in the form of equity and grant funding from Elbow Beach Capital on October 23, 2025. The company is a developer of plant-based protein and fiber ingredients derived from upcycled food byproducts for food manufacturing applications.

Chain: The company raised an undisclosed amount of venture funding from Fox Entertainment Group on October 24, 2025. The company is an operator of a fast-casual restaurant concept serving burgers and American cuisine.

Happy Products: The company raised an undisclosed amount of venture funding from Taste Tomorrow Ventures on October 23, 2025. The company roasts and distributes specialty coffee beans for retail and foodservice customers.

Potbelly Sandwich Works / RaceTrac: The company was acquired by RaceTrac for $566 million on October 23, 2025. Potbelly Corp operates and franchises a fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in sandwiches, salads, and milkshakes.

Austria Juice / AGRANA Beteiligungs: The company was acquired by AGRANA Beteiligungs, a subsidiary of Ingredion, for EUR 54.7 million on October 22, 2025. The company is a producer of fruit juice concentrates, beverage compounds, and flavor bases for soft drink, alcoholic beverage, and food manufacturing industries.

Festival Foods / Schnucks: The company was acquired by Schnucks for an undisclosed amount on October 20, 2025. The company is a regional supermarket chain based in De Pere, Wisconsin.

Genesee Candy Land / NxGen Brand: The company was acquired by NxGen Brand for an undisclosed amount on October 20, 2025. The company is a distributor of novelty candy and confectionery products to wholesale and retail customers.

Hometown Grocers / Schnucks: The company was acquired by Schnucks for an undisclosed amount on October 20, 2025. The company is a regional supermarket chain based in De Pere, Wisconsin.

International Spices / Woodland Gourmet: The company was acquired by Woodland Gourmet, via its financial sponsors Barings and Graham Partners, through an LBO on October 22, 2025 for an undisclosed amount. The company is a distributor of bulk spices, herbs, and specialty ingredients to food manufacturers, restaurants, and foodservice distributors.

Mann Packing / Church Brothers Farms: Church Brothers Farms reached a definitive agreement to acquire the company, a subsidiary of Fresh Del Monte Produce, for an undisclosed amount on October 21, 2025. The company is a producer and supplier of fresh-cut vegetables, salad kits, and value-added vegetable products.

Mokamatic / IVS Group: The company was acquired by IVS Group for an undisclosed amount on October 21, 2025. The company is a distributor of automatic vending machines for offices, hospitals, universities, and institutional facilities.

NutriAg / HGS BioScience: The company was acquired by HGS BioScience, via its financial sponsor Paine Schwartz Partners, through an LBO on October 21, 2025 for an undisclosed amount. The company is a manufacturer of agricultural nutrients, crop protection chemicals, and specialty fertilizers for commercial farming operations.

Porter Road / Chris Roach: The company was acquired by Chris Roach for an undisclosed amount on October 24, 2025. The company is an operator of a butcher shop and e-commerce platform selling pasture-raised, dry-aged beef and meat products.