CPE News (3/2/2021) – Entrepreneurial Equity Partners has acquired Ya YA Foods Corporation alongside the Abbas Al-Ali family, who will maintain a significant ownership stake.
The transaction closed in February 2021. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Entrepreneurial Equity Partners is a Chicago based middle market private equity firm focused on control-oriented investments in the food and consumer packaged goods industries. Its typical equity investment ranges from US $25 million to US $150 million.
Founded in 2008, Toronto based Ya YA Foods is a leading contract manufacturer of a broad range of aseptic food and beverage products including plant-based and high protein beverages, fruit juices, sports drinks, broths, and specialty milk and dairy beverages.
EDIT: Audax Private Debt was the sole investor in a mezzanine financing supporting the acquisition by Entrepreneurial Equity Partners.
photo credit: Ya YA Foods
News Release
Mar 2, 2021
Entrepreneurial Equity Partners Invests in Ya YA Foods Corporation
Entrepreneurial Equity Partners (“e2p”), a Chicago-based private equity firm focused on the food and consumer packaged goods industries, announced today that it has invested in Ya YA Foods Corporation (“Ya YA Foods”) alongside the Abbas Al-Ali family, who will maintain a significant ownership stake. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Ya YA Foods is a leading contract manufacturer of a broad range of aseptic food and beverage products including plant-based and high protein beverages, fruit juices, sports drinks, broths, and specialty milk and dairy beverages. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Toronto, Ya YA Foods is one of the largest and most capable co-packers in North America, with over 500,000 square feet of manufacturing space designed to meet customer food safety and quality requirements. Utilizing cutting-edge aseptic and hot-fill processing capabilities for carton and PET bottle packaging solutions, Ya YA Foods provides end-to-end packing solutions to blue-chip food and beverage companies across North America.
e2p Managing Partner Mark Burgett said, “Ya YA Foods has established itself in the aseptic food and beverage space by being able to consistently meet rigorous customer demands for quality and safety. However, what really sets Ya YA Foods apart as a market leader is their ability to exceed expectations with flexible solutions in a variety of formats, configurations, and capabilities and their culture of innovation. We look forward to working together to build on their strong foundation to further drive growth.”
Ya YA Foods President and CEO Yahya Abbas, commented, “We were drawn to e2p as a partner because of their industry experience, specifically in the contract manufacturing space, their reputation for partnering with entrepreneurs and family businesses, and our shared vision for growth going forward. We are excited to pair their experience with our people, technology, and culture for innovation to continue providing high-quality products and services to our customers. We are excited for what lies ahead with our partnership.”
Duff & Phelps Securities Canada acted as financial advisor to Ya YA Foods.
About Entrepreneurial Equity Partners
e2p is a middle market, Chicago-based private equity firm focused on control-oriented investments in the food and consumer packaged goods industries. e2p’s team of professionals includes experienced food and consumer packaged goods executives and investors who bring an entrepreneurial mindset and extensive industry networks to supporting and collaborating with portfolio company teams. For further information, please visit www.e2pcapital.com.
About Ya YA Foods
Ya YA Foods is a leading contract manufacturer that offers a broad range of aseptic food and beverage products. Utilizing cutting-edge aseptic and hot-fill processing capabilities into both Tetra Pak carton and PET bottle packaging solutions, the company provides end-to-end packing solutions to multi-national beverage companies across North America. For further information, please visit www.yayafoods.com.