MBC Companies, a frozen baked breakfast foods maker based in McDonald, Tennessee, recently announced the acquisition of frozen pizza manufacturer Nardone Brothers Baking Co. This strategic move expands MBC’s product portfolio beyond breakfast items and into the lunch, dinner, and late-night dining segments. The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
MBC specializes in producing and distributing frozen breakfast items such as french toast sticks and bites, waffles, pancakes, breakfast sandwiches, and other baked goods for K-12 schools, private label retail, convenience stores, and quick-serve restaurants. On the other hand, Nardone Brothers, based in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, serves similar North American channels including K-12 school lunch programs, private label retail, and convenience stores. Their frozen product lineup includes a variety of pizzas, pizza bagels, pizza shells, and breadsticks.
Jeff Ahlers, the CEO of MBC, mentioned that Nardone Brothers is an excellent fit for the company with complementary strengths and capabilities. Both companies share a family-founded, customer-focused culture and cover all dayparts from breakfast to late-night dining. The acquisition of Nardone Brothers allows MBC to cross-sell products across various channels and solidify its position as a one-stop solutions provider in the foodservice industry.
The addition of Nardone Brothers’ 152,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Wilkes-Barre expands MBC’s production footprint to a third location. Both companies operate in fast-growing frozen food categories driven by consumer demand for convenient, high-quality meal options. The frozen breakfast category is projected to grow at a 7.4% compound annual growth rate through 2030, while the frozen pizza market is expected to grow at an 8.1% CAGR over the same time span.
Vincent Nardone, the president of Nardone Brothers Baking Co., expressed excitement about the partnership with MBC, emphasizing the shared values and commitment to customer satisfaction. MBC, formed in 2022 through the merger of Murry’s and Bake Crafters, has a history of serving grocery, mass retail, and the K-12 foodservice sector. The acquisition by Entrepreneurial Equity Partners (e2p) in July 2023 positioned MBC for growth and innovation in the frozen meals industry.
Blake Miller, vice president at e2p, welcomed Nardone Brothers to the MBC family, highlighting the strategic benefits of the partnership. The collaboration enhances MBC’s product portfolio across all dayparts and strengthens its presence in the K-12 and private label categories. The focus on cross-selling and product innovation will drive growth and create opportunities for both companies.
e2p, a private equity firm based in Chicago, specializes in investments in the food and beverages and consumer packaged goods sectors. The partnership with Nardone Brothers aligns with e2p’s strategy of supporting companies with a commitment to quality, service, and operational excellence.
In conclusion, the acquisition of Nardone Brothers Baking Co. by MBC Companies represents a significant expansion of capabilities and market reach for both companies. The shared values, focus on customer satisfaction, and commitment to innovation will drive continued growth and success in the frozen food industry. Together, MBC and Nardone Brothers are poised to deliver high-quality products across all dayparts and meet the evolving needs of customers in the foodservice sector.