Legacy Bakehouse, a leading baked snacks contract and private label manufacturer, has announced its entry into the sweet baked snacks market through the acquisition of Mannon Specialty Foods Inc., the maker of premium cookies under the Classic Cookie brand. This strategic move will expand Legacy Bakehouse’s product lineup, extend its geographic reach, and bring a retail brand with national distribution into its portfolio.
Classic Cookie, founded in 1984 and based in Sevierville, Tennessee, produces a variety of soft-baked, energy caffeine, and crispy mini cookies in pouches, as well as snack-size cookies in pouches and boxes. These cookies are available at Walmart and other national and regional retailers, as well as through fundraising organizations across the country. The financial terms of the acquisition, announced on February 5, have not been disclosed.
Legacy Bakehouse, established in 1917 and headquartered in Waukesha, Wisconsin, specializes in developing and manufacturing an array of baked snacks and snack components, including pita chips, tortillas, rye chips, garlic chips, bagel chips, croutons, breadsticks, and snack mixes for leading, emerging, and private brands. The addition of Classic Cookie to its portfolio will enhance Legacy Bakehouse’s capabilities, capacity, markets, and customer base.
Alain Vallet-Sandre, Chief Commercial Officer at Legacy Bakehouse, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, “Classic Cookie is a major step in expanding our baked snacks capabilities, capacity, markets, and customers. By combining our contract manufacturing and private label expertise with Classic Cookie’s strong sales channels, we are able to offer a comprehensive range of salty/savory and sweet snacks, making Legacy an attractive partner for a wider range of customers.”
Classic Cookie operates a 50,000-square-foot commercial bakery in Sevierville, which has recently undergone expansion to accommodate its growth. The acquisition brings diverse cookie and brownie production capabilities to Legacy Bakehouse’s contract manufacturing and private label businesses. The Capital Corp., based in Greenville, South Carolina, which advised Mannon Specialty Foods on the transaction, highlighted Classic Cookie as one of the largest remaining independent manufacturers of cookie, brownie, and cookie dough products in the United States.
Jon Mannon, CEO of Classic Cookie, expressed optimism about the partnership with Legacy Bakehouse and Benford Capital Partners, stating, “Classic Cookie is just scratching the surface of its future growth potential. With the support of Legacy Bakehouse and Benford Capital Partners, we have the resources to continue our growth while maintaining our high product and service standards for our loyal and expanding customer base.”
The acquisition of Classic Cookie marks Legacy Bakehouse’s third production facility, adding to its existing locations in Cudahy, Wisconsin, and the assets of Angelic Bakehouse acquired in July. Brian Behm, Principal at Benford Capital Partners, emphasized the strategic significance of the acquisition, noting that Classic Cookie’s primary channels, including national retail, vending, contract manufacturing, private label, and fundraising, complement Legacy’s existing operations.
Benford Capital Partners, based in Chicago, also includes other food companies in its portfolio such as Turri’s Italian Foods (pasta, rice, and grains), RP Foods (Hispanic foods and beverages), Brothers International Food (fruit snacks and ingredients), and Saco Foods (dessert dip, powdered instant milk, dry buttermilk, baking cocoa, and other food categories). The acquisition of Classic Cookie reflects Legacy Bakehouse’s commitment to expanding its offerings and strengthening its position in the competitive baked snacks market.
In conclusion, Legacy Bakehouse’s acquisition of Classic Cookie represents a strategic move to enhance its product portfolio, expand its market reach, and strengthen its position in the sweet baked snacks sector. With a focus on quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, Legacy Bakehouse is well-positioned to capitalize on the growth opportunities in the dynamic and evolving snack food industry.
