Recently, Patriot Pickle, a US pickled-foods manufacturer, was purchased by a subsidiary of the Miami-based investment group H.I.G. Capital for an undisclosed fee. The company was previously owned by private-equity company Swander Pace Capital (SPC) and had seen significant investments in sales and operational infrastructure under their ownership.
According to Bill McEntee, CEO of Patriot Pickle, “Managing the complexity and intensity of rapidly growing businesses is hard work but partnering with Swander Pace Capital made this process easier, and we had fun along the way. SPC’s strategic perspective, network, and broader insights were key enablers of the team’s success.”
Patriot Pickle specializes in manufacturing refrigerated pickles, sauerkraut, and other pickled vegetables. The company caters to restaurants, delis, supermarkets, and distributors and offers private-label food and contract manufacturing.
In addition to the recent acquisition, Patriot Pickle has made strategic moves to expand its business in the last year. Last May, the company acquired domestic peer First Place Foods, and in 2022, it acquired Farm Ridge Foods’ pickle assets. These expansions reflect the growing consumer demand for pickled and fermented foods.
However, the company faced legal challenges last summer when it was sued by Grillo’s Pickles for allegedly violating agreements and using Grillo’s proprietary recipes to produce a line of pickles for Whole Foods.
Overall, the acquisition and subsequent growth of Patriot Pickle demonstrate the company’s commitment to meeting consumer demand and expanding its presence in the food and beverage industry. As the company looks towards the future, it aims to continue delivering value for its customers in the years to come.
