US-based OWS Foods has successfully acquired Lillie’s Q Sauces & Rubs, a valued player in the barbecue segment established by chef Charlie McKenna. However, the company has not disclosed the financial details or terms of the acquisition.
Founded in 2010, Lillie’s Q has built a strong reputation for delivering “authentic” Southern flavors alongside “premium” quality sauces, rubs, and seasonings. Chef McKenna, hailing from Greenville, South Carolina, founded the company in honor of his grandmother, Lillie, who imparted to him the traditional techniques of Southern barbecue.
The inception of this brand began with McKenna developing regionally inspired recipes, which he commercialized in collaboration with co-founder Brian Golinvaux in 2014. Since then, the company’s products have gained traction in retail grocery stores nationwide, reflecting significant consumer interest in food and beverage industry trends.
McKenna stated: “When I launched Lillie’s over 14 years ago, the goal was to get the product into every household. We believe we have the best-tasting product in the market, and with the resources offered through a bigger platform, we are excited about the opportunities ahead.”
OWS Foods, established in 1988, specializes in BBQ sauces and rubs, including the well-known Head Country brand. Its market presence extends across retail and foodservice channels while also servicing the private-label sector. The company maintains research facilities in Overland Park, Kansas, along with production sites in Concordia, Missouri, and Ponca City, Oklahoma.
This acquisition is anticipated to enhance Lillie’s Q’s market reach in grocery, foodservice, and club channels. By leveraging OWS Foods’ research and development resources along with McKenna’s expertise in flavor creation, Lillie’s Q is poised to introduce new product categories.
Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL), an investment banking and financial advisory firm, facilitated the transaction. BGL has played a significant role in other notable deals within the condiments and sauces sector this year, such as the acquisition of Zidian Group by Lassonde Industries and the acquisition of Crest Foods by Harwood Private Equity.
Golinvaux remarked, “The BGL team ran an excellent, efficient process which resulted in a fantastic partner for the company.”
As the food and drink business evolves, the partnership between OWS Foods and Lillie’s Q highlights the growing consumer trends toward premium sauces and rubs in the barbecue segment. This move is strategically beneficial as both companies aim to tap into the latest food and drink consumer trends, increasing their overall competitive edge in the marketplace.
