The Compleat Food Group has acquired own-label sandwich filing business Freshpak, marking another step in its journey to create the UK’s number one chilled prepared food maker.
Freshpak employs about 500 staff at its production facility in Barnsley in South Yorkshire and generated revenues of £93m in 2024. It is the UK’s largest supplier of private label chilled food-to-go snacks, deli fillers and poached eggs, as well as operating as an egg processor.
Freshpak’s products are stocked in major grocery retailers, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons and Co-op. It also supplies foodservice customers.
The business was previously owned by US investment firm Sun Capital Partners following a deal struck in 2016.
The acquisition – for an undisclosed sum – gives The Compleat Food Group new capabilities in egg processing, enabling it to tap into growing consumer demand for health and protein-rich foods.
Freshpak’s deli fillers also complemented Compleat’s existing deli business, while its food-to-go expertise unlocked further potential for innovation and growth in this category, the group said.
“We’re delighted to welcome Freshpak to The Compleat Food Group,” added CEO Nick Field. “Its market-leading position in added-value egg products, deli fillers and chilled food-to-go is a perfect complement to our existing portfolio, allowing us to extend our capability and category leadership role to deliver further value and category growth with our existing partners, whilst also opening up new opportunities in both retail and foodservice.”
Freshpak CEO Toby Brinsmead said: “Freshpak has built a strong reputation for quality, innovation and customer service. Joining The Compleat Food Group marks an exciting new chapter for the business, and I’m confident that under the group’s ownership, Freshpak will continue to thrive and grow.”
It is the latest strategic acquisition by Compleat, which is backed by European private equity firm PAI Partners, following deals to buy SK Foods and Zorba Foods, and speciality food producer Harvey & Brockless in 2024. Earlier this year, the group also acquired The Real Yorkshire Pudding Co, a supplier of own label and branded chilled Yorkshire puddings.
The addition of Freshpak increases The Compleat Food Group’s total turnover to more than £1.3bn and its workforce to in excess of 6,000 employees across 17 sites.
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