Lancaster Colony: Acquires Bantam Bagels

Westerville / OH. (lc) Lancaster Colony Corporation announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, T. Marzetti Company, has acquired all the assets of Bantam Bagels LLC. Bantam Bagels is a producer and marketer of frozen mini stuffed bagels and mini stuffed pancakes sold to both the retail and foodservice channels. The acquisition transaction closed on October 19, 2018. The acquisition was funded internally with cash on hand and is not significant to the financial position of Lancaster Colony Corporation. Annual net sales for Bantam Bagels are approximately USD 20 million and the impact of the acquisition on Lancaster Colony’s earnings per share is expected to be about neutral for the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2019. In addition to the base purchase price of USD 34 million, which is subject to post-closing adjustments, the transaction also includes contingent consideration in the form of an additional earn-out payment that is tied to the future financial performance of the business. Other terms of the transaction are not disclosed.

Bantam Bagels, a New York City based, entrepreneur-founded company is noted for reinventing the bagel and explosively growing its distribution from one small shop in New York City’s West Village to nationwide distribution in traditional grocery, club stores, e-commerce and foodservice. Notably, in the foodservice channel, Bantam Bagels® bagel bites are available at Starbucks® cafes nationwide. While maintaining authenticity and a feeling of Saturday-morning coziness in all products they create, Bantam Bagels reinvents iconic foods, bringing innovation, portability and convenience to the breakfast sector. Built around taste and quality first, Bantam’s mini stuffed bagels, pancakes and Egg Bites add disruptive innovation to Lancaster Colony’s core portfolio of frozen bread products and provide a strong complement to the authenticity and quality of Lancaster Colony’s well-established New York BRAND Bakery® and Sister Schubert’s® brands. Husband and wife Nick and Elyse Oleksak founded Bantam Bagels in 2013 and will continue to lead the business post-closing with the same entrepreneurial drive, hustle and heart they have demonstrated since day one.

Dave Ciesinski, Lancaster Colony’s CEO, commented «We are extremely excited to add Bantam Bagels to our specialty foods business. Bantam Bagels is a fast-emerging company that provides us with an entry into the large and growing frozen breakfast category. Their established relationship with Starbucks in the foodservice channel is another positive that positions Bantam Bagels for future expansion. We are thrilled to welcome Nick, Elyse and Bantam Bagels to our family of Lancaster Colony companies and look forward to a successful future together.»

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