Brynwood Partners IX L.P. announced that its newly-formed portfolio company, West Madison Foods, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Marie's salad dressing brand and the Dean's Dip business from Ventura Foods, LLC. The transaction includes the Thornton, Ill., factory where the products are manufactured. The terms of the transaction are not being disclosed.
West Madison Foods was established by Brynwood Partners to acquire the Marie's salad dressing and the Dean's Dip assets from Ventura Foods. West Madison Foods will be headquartered in Chicago and the Thornton, Ill., manufacturing facility, with its approximately 84 full-time employees, will continue to support the business. In addition, a small group of employees dedicated to the Marie's and Dean's brands may also transition to West Madison Foods.
Marie's is a category leader specializing in the production and distribution of premium salad dressings, dips and spreads. With a strong focus on quality, taste and culinary innovation, Marie's has established itself as a trusted brand among consumers and is considered a pioneer in the refrigerated salad dressing space. Marie's is a leading brand and its Blue Cheese, Caesar, Ranch and Coleslaw salad dressings are top sellers in the category.
Dean's Dip is a household name and a trusted provider of gourmet dips and spreads. With a commitment to delivering exceptional flavor and quality, Dean's has established itself as a leading dairy dip player, catering to the diverse snacking and entertaining needs of consumers nationwide. Dean's Dip is universally known for its French Onion, Ranch and Guacamole dips, among others.
The Brynwood Partners portfolio also includes Harvest Hill Beverage Company, Carolina Beverage Group, Hometown Food Company, Buitoni Food Company and Great Kitchens Food Company. West Madison Foods increases the total Brynwood manufacturing network to 17 facilities, approximately 4,700 employees and more than $2.6 billion in annual sales.
