Rich Products is strategically positioning itself for long-term growth in the pizza sector through its recent acquisition of Great Kitchens Food Company, based in Illinois.
This family-owned company has purchased the pizza manufacturer from private equity firm Brynwood Partners for an undisclosed amount. Great Kitchens operates three manufacturing facilities—two in Illinois (Romeoville and Chicago Heights) and one in Brockton, Massachusetts. Notably, all 1,000 employees will transition to Rich Products.
In addition to being known for its ready-to-bake, branded topped pizzas, Great Kitchens also specializes in private label products.
Kevin Spratt, the president of Rich Products for the US and Canada, stated, “We’re always looking for new ways to enhance our pizza capabilities, and this move is a game-changer for the industry. When you combine Great Kitchens’ leadership in fully topped pizzas with our strength in crust and dough, you effectively create a one-stop pizza partner. This approach will accelerate our growth, foster greater innovation, and deliver unique and distinct value to our customers.”
Great Kitchens expanded its portfolio in 2023 by acquiring the Uno Foods Division from Uno Restaurant Holdings Corp. This division includes the Pizzeria Uno Chicago brand and its retail pizza offerings, along with products like flatbreads, strombolis, and calzones, which are distributed across grocery stores, foodservice, club stores, and online platforms.
In a separate announcement, Brynwood Partners noted that it established Great Kitchens in 2020 after acquiring the North American take-and-bake pizza and flatbread business from the Swiss bakery group Aryzta.
Henk Hartong, chairman and CEO of Brynwood Partners, expressed his satisfaction with the divestiture, stating: “We are pleased to announce the divestiture of Great Kitchens Food Company to Rich’s and are grateful to all the employees for their dedication to the business. Our employees and management team in our three factories worked tirelessly to grow and improve the Great Kitchens business during our ownership period.”
Admir Basic, president and CEO of Great Kitchens, highlighted the opportunities ahead: “The new owners will bring the size and scale required for us to unlock new opportunities. By merging our unique strengths, we have a significant opportunity to accelerate innovation and raise the bar across the industry.”
Outside the US, Rich Products recently invested in the UK-based cookie-dough company Doughlicious through its venture-capital arm. Meanwhile, Brynwood Partners has also expanded its portfolio by acquiring the Chef Boyardee pasta business from Conagra Brands last year.
This acquisition aligns with current trends in the food and beverage industry, particularly in the food and drink business, where consumer demands continually evolve. Companies that adapt quickly to these food and drink consumer trends will likely maintain a competitive edge in this dynamic market.
