This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing, This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. With an ongoing commitment to corporate citizenship, Conagra Brands has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index for six consecutive years. "What started 13 years ago as a simple passion for fire roasting seeds and slow smoking meats, has grown into two terrific brands that are recognized in households across the U.S.," said Justin "Duke" Havlick, founder and CEO of Duke's and Bigs. General Mills, along with a number of the other food giants, has been stocking up on makers of natural and organic food due to the decline in the volume of more highly processed foods that include ingredients not considered natural. Robert Brown, managing director of Encore Consumer Capital, said, Thanasi Foods founder and CEO Justin Duke Havlick decided to bring on a strategic and financial partner, and we are honored that he chose Encore to help the company grow. It's no wonder why hatch chiles have become famous through the decades. Following the completion of the transaction, the Duke's and BIGS brands will continue operating out of Boulder, Colorado. at Visit our privacy Google Shuts Down Its Trash-Sorting Robot Division. Join Facebook to connect with Justin Duke and others you may know. The presenters were Justin "Duke" Havlick (Duke's Small Batch Smoked Meats), Mike Lawinski (FATE Brewing Company), and Jason Oliver (Devils Backbone Brewing Company). We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements included in this press release, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Subscribe - Today in Manufacturing Podcast, Smart Actuators Help Robot Valets Optimize High-Volume Automobile Storage and Retrieval, 5 Minutes with Epson's Nathan Cheng on Using AR to Make Better Decisions, 5 Minutes with Laserfiche's Grace Nam on Moving AI from Buzzword to Practical Operating Tool, Preview Days Videos Help Attendees Pre-Plan IMTS 2022 Agenda, How to Select Ideal IIoT & Networking Solutions. Facebook gives people the power to. For Hormel, a maker of heavily processed foods, the deal was meant to transform the company while still falling within its broader agenda of focusing on higher-growth protein products. Financial terms were not disclosed. But theres much that Thanasi can bring to Conagra as well. - Justin Duke Havlick. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Copyright 2023. Encore Consumer Capital has completed the sale of Thanasi Foods, marketer of the Duke's and BIGS snack brands, to Conagra Brands. 111 Pine Street Suite 1825 The startup will also lay off 300 employees. (smoked with hickory and hops) was paired with Devils Backbone's Striped Bass Pale Ale. We are looking forward to working with the Thanasi team to grow the brands further and create value for our shareholders.". Dukes Original Shorty Smoked Sausages & Left Hand Sawtooth Ale. Products distributed by Thanasi Foods are available in approximately 45,000 supermarkets, convenience stores, grocery stores, and drug stores in the United States and Canada. Conagras iconic brands, such as Marie Callenders, Reddi-wip, Hunts, Healthy Choice, Slim Jim and Orville Redenbachers, as well as emerging brands, including Alexia, Blakes and Frontera, offer choices for every occasion. dukesmeat.com. "This is an incredibly exciting time for our brands and our team, and we are looking forward to working with the Conagra Brands team on the next chapter in our journey to take Duke's and BIGS to another level," said Justin "Duke" Havlick, Duke's and BIGS founder and chief executive officer. Havlick added, "What started 13 years ago as a simple passion for fire roasting seeds and slow smoking meats, has grown into two terrific brands that are recognized in households across the U.S. Company Founder and President Justin Duke Havlick is doing exactly what he loves to do: combining his love of food with his love of the outdoors (he lives in Boulder, CO, after all). The English-style porter has strong notes of dark chocolate and espresso that pair nicely with the peppercorn, brown sugar and espresso flavors of the Cracked Pepper Jerky. When youre here, youre surrounded by people who care about breweries and independence. The thick, premium, hand-cut steak strips exude a meaty tenderness with undertones of whiskey and sticky-sweet molasses. The company's product line includes not only meat bars, with flavors such as bison bacon cranberry, but also meat bites, meat bits and hunt-and-harvest mix. The carmaker's new patent is raising some eyebrows. You see Jim Cramer on TV. 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme. Justin 'Duke' Havlick of Duke's Jerky. Lastly, Salisbury, Md.-based poultry producer Perdue Farms Inc. bought Natural Food Holdings Inc. from White Plains, N.Y., PE firm LNK Partners LLC in early September. Justin lived in Boulder, CO and Longmont, CO before relocating to their current city. and cookie policy to learn more about the cookies we use and how we use your MEDIA: Dan Hare Focused on crafting the highest-quality smoked meat snacks available, the family-operated business refuses to take shortcuts and is committed to producing its products in small batches with real, whole ingredients, fresh never-frozen pork and chicken, 100% grass-fed beef, and authentic hardwood smoke pairings. Justin Duke Havlick. Below are the favorite pairings of Dukes Smoked Meats and Left Hand Brewing Company. [1] The company was acquired by Conagra Brands in 2017. BIGS partners with some of Americas most iconic and loved ingredient brands to bring big, bold flavors to its seeds. Thanasi Foods LLC is a leading maker of premium meat snacks, including Duke's Smoked Shorty Sausages and Duke's Brisket & Steak Strips. about 2.5 servings per container . Meanwhile, San Francisco-based private equity firm Encore Consumer Capital has invested in Boulder, Colo.-based Thanasi Foods, parent of Duke's Jerky. Conagra Brands, Inc. announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire protein-based snacking businesses Thanasi Foods LLC, maker of Duke's meat snacks, and BIGS LLC, maker of BIGS seeds. The smooth, malty sweetness of the Milk Stout balances the smoky bourbon glaze, leaving your palatewith a velvety mouthful, perfect for a night by the fire. About DUKE's Shorty Sausages . Justin "Duke" Havlick, Duke's and BIGS founder and chief executive officer, said, "What started 13 years ago as a simple passion for fire roasting seeds and slow smoking meats, has grown . Conagra Brands, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Havlick continued, "The Conagra Brands team values our brand beliefs and is committed to continuing to use quality ingredients and the craft methods that deliver the creativity and flavor our consumers and fans love today.". Pork, Peaches, Cane Sugar, Less than 2% of: Salt, Spices, Brown Cane Sugar, Dried Tomato, Vinegar, Dried Onion, Celery Powder (Celery Powder, Sea Salt), Yeast Extract, Dried Garlic, Natural Flavors, Citric Acid. Readers of this press release should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results. Report: China to 'Scrutinize' Ford Deal Over IP Fears. Fresh, never-frozen pork: We start with fresh, never froze, pork that has never been given added hormones (Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones in pork). Based in Boulder, CO, BIGS produces a line of premium, USA-grown seed snacks, including jumbo, fire-roasted in-shell sunflower seeds, sunflower seed kernels, and homestyle-roasted pumpkin seeds. Epic's meat products are made from vegetarian-fed, humanely treated, antibiotic- and hormone-free animals. The firm targets companies with between $10 million and $100 million in annual revenues where Encores strong operating expertise in strategy development, brand marketing and distribution expansion can help drive performance. Focused on crafting the highest-quality smoked meat snacks available, the family-operated business refuses to take shortcuts and is committed to producing its products in small batches with real, whole ingredients, fresh never-frozen pork and chicken, 100% grass-fed beef, and authentic hardwood smoke pairings. 3. Pork raised with no hormones added (Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones in pork). 111 Pine Street Suite 1825 General Mills said Epic will become part of its Berkeley, Calif.-based Annie's division, which is headed by John Foraker, that unit's president. Approaches to engineer recombinant capsids for . BIGS partners with some of America's most-loved brands to bring big, bold flavor to seeds. Brands, The decision could signal a sea change in the auto industry. Thanasi Foods is a marketer of protein-based snacking products under the Dukes meat snacks and BIGS seeds brands. The plant suffered "pretty catastrophic" damage. For more information, visit www.conagrabrands.com. Stories and opinions shared on CraftBeer.com do not imply endorsement by or positions taken by the Brewers Association or its members. this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and This is an incredibly exciting time for our brands and our team, and we are looking . All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company. With an ongoing commitment to corporate citizenship, Conagra Brands has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index for six consecutive years. According to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Conagra acquired the companies for $108.9 million in cash, net of assumed liabilities, and subject to working capital adjustments. These on-trend brands extend our meat snacks and seeds businesses into faster-growing, more premium segments. About a year ago, in late January, Hershey, Pa.-based confectionery giant Hershey (HSY) - Get Free Report acquired Sonoma, Calif.-based Krave Pure Foods Inc., the maker of Krave jerky products, for roughly nine times its revenue of $35 million, or more than $300 million. Havlick noted that an exit for Thanasi was not on any specific time clock, but after meeting with Conagra he was impressed by the passion of both the company and its CEO, Sean Connolly. 312-549-5355 Snacks & Candy Conagra Brands to Acquire Thanasi Foods Duke's Meat Snacks and Bigs Seeds will join portfolio already stocked by Slim Jim and David Seeds By Abbey Lewis on Mar. Justin Duke Havlick, Dukes and BIGS founder and chief executive officer, said, What started 13 years ago as a simple passion for fire roasting seeds and slow smoking meats, has grown into two terrific brands that are recognized in households across the U.S. This unique combination creates a robust harmony between the herbal and spice notes of both beer and jerky. will Duke's products are made in small batches with quality ingredients and authentic hardwood smoke pairings. The founder maintained a significant minority share of the Company. Food giant General Mills (GIS) - Get Free Report said Wednesday it is buying Epic Provisions, an Austin, Texas-based maker of meat bars. Interestingly, the spiciness of the jerky is toned down by the pale ale, and finishes with a unique taste of molasses and brown sugarnicely setting your palateup for round two. Thanasi Foods will continue to be led by Justin Havlick and the existing leadership team of Thanasi Foods. Justin "Duke" Havlick, Duke's and BIGS founder and chief executive officer, said, "What started 13 years ago as a simple passion for fire roasting seeds and slow smoking meats, has grown into two terrific brands that are recognized in households across the U.S. It's not the easiest way to do things, or the quickest, but I think you'll agree you can taste the difference. The Art of Pairing Craft Beer and Jerky Justin Duke Havlick, Duke's Small Batch Smoked Meats; Mike Lawinski, FATE Brewing Company; Jason Oliver, Devils. Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. About BIGS Seeds TheStreet's Jim Cramer has long approved of the move by established food companies such as General Mills into more natural and organic products. Something to keep in mind while pairing is the intensity of flavors. No liquid smoke. Justin Duke Havlick. Jensen Werley Greg O'Neal, left, is vice president of marketing, and Justin Havlick is founder and chief executive of Thanasi Foods, creator of Duke's meat snacks and BIGS seeds. Justin "Duke" Havlick, Duke's and BIGS founder and chief executive officer, said, "What started 13 years ago as a simple passion for fire roasting seeds and slow smoking meats, has grown into two terrific brands that are recognized in households across the U.S. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. For more information, visit www.BIGS.com. While this segment of his Thanasi journey may be complete, Havlick is excited for what the future will bring. Both of the founders will stay involved with the business. Made with Beef Collagen Casing Caramel Color, Carmine). This is an incredibly exciting time for our brands and our team, and we are looking . Conagra Brands to buy Thanasi Foods | Meatpoultry.com . Conagra Brands currently manages the Slim Jim meat stick brand and the DAVID Seeds brand. Thanasi Foods is a manufacturer and distributor of packaged snack foods. His inspiration was to bring unique flavors and a specialty, craft focus to two categories (seeds and smoked meat snacks) that were, at the time, somewhat less differentiated. The acquisition came only a week after Thanasi's brand Duke's debuted its shorty sausages and brisket products at the recent Expo West in Anaheim, California. Dukes Bourbon Glaze Steak Strips & Left Hand Milk Stout Nitro. Based in Boulder, CO, BIGS produces a line of premium, USA-grown seed snacks, including jumbo, fire-roasted in-shell sunflower seeds, sunflower seed kernels, and homestyle-roasted pumpkin seeds. Why? "These on-trend brands extend our meat snacks and seeds businesses into faster-growing, more premium segments. Quick Facts . Houlihan Lokey served as financial advisor and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP served as legal counsel to Thanasi Foods LLC and BIGS LLC. Robert Brown, managing director of Encore Consumer Capital, said, "Thanasi Foods' founder and CEO Justin 'Duke' Havlick decided to bring on a strategic and financial partner, and we are . Boeing Plans to End Production of 'Top Gun' Plane in 2025. (function(){var ml="8(640291%-)5",mi="137;:854562960;4",o="";for(var j=0,l=mi.length;j
