For $162.5 million, B&G Foods—which owns the Mrs. Dash, Ortega, Pirate's Booty, Green Giant and other brands—adds Back to Nature's portfolio of snacks, soups and juices, as well as SnackWell's cookies, to its offerings.

August 21, 2017

2 Min Read
B&G Foods buys Back To Nature from Mondelez, Brynwood Partners
Back to Nature

Brynwood Partners VI L.P. announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell Back to Nature Foods Company LLC to B&G Foods Inc. for approximately $162.5 million in cash, subject to customary closing and post-closing working capital adjustments. The transaction, which is expected to close in the third quarter, is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals.

Brynwood VI and Mondelēz International Inc. formed the Back to Nature joint venture in 2012 through an innovative structure, whereby Brynwood VI acquired operating control while Mondelēz International retained a minority position in the newly established company. In 2013, Mondelēz International contributed the SnackWell's brand to the joint venture. Back to Nature is a leading independent better-for-you snacking brand. SnackWell's was launched in the early 1990s as one of the original brands in the low-fat cookies and crackers categories.  Since entering into this unique joint venture arrangement, the company has significantly expanded its sales and profitability through product innovation, expanded distribution and operational improvements.

"We are delighted to announce the sale of Back to Nature to B&G Foods, a leading publicly traded packaged foods company," said Hendrik Hartong III, chairman and CEO of Brynwood Partners. "We are very pleased with the outcome of this transaction, as we achieved a terrific result for both Brynwood VI and Mondelēz International. We were able to restore, invigorate and grow the outstanding Back to Nature and SnackWell's brands and create a strong standalone company that attracted a prominent strategic buyer in B&G Foods. The unique joint venture with Mondelēz International showcased Brynwood Partners' investment and operational strengths in consumer corporate carve outs. We appreciate the confidence Mondelēz International has bestowed in our firm and we enjoyed working with them as a true partner in the joint venture."

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"We are grateful to all of the employees of Back to Nature for their dedication to the business," said Ian MacTaggart, president and COO of Brynwood Partners and chairman of Back to Nature. "We wish B&G Foods and Back to Nature's management continued success and look forward to watching them continue to grow the business."

Houlihan Lokey served as the investment adviser to Back to Nature, and Holland & Knight LLP and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP provided legal counsel. Dechert LLP provided legal counsel to B&G Foods.

Source: Brynwood Partners

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