Fast-growing milkshake brand Shaken Udder has been acquired by Spanish family-owned food group Idilia for an undisclosed price.
The deal provides private equity backer LDC, which took a minority stake in the business in 2022, with an exit.
Shaken Udder said it expected to reach new consumers, enter new channels and accelerate NPD under its new owners.
Founded by husband-and-wife team Jodie and Andy Howie in 2004, the milkshake maker is today stocked in all the major mults, with more than 14,000 distribution points.
Revenues at the Essex-headquartered business has increased by 91% over the past four years, jumping 28% to £29m in the year to 31 March 2025, with profits also up 50% to £4.2m.
Shaken Udder will operate as an independent business unit, working closely with its new owner.
Managing director Rob Reames will step up as CEO, while the Howies will exit the business and chairman David Garman will also vacate his role.
Idilia Xavi Pons joins the Shaken Udder board.
“We couldn’t be prouder of the Shaken Udder brand we have built over the last 21 years,” the Howies said in a joint statement.
“It has come a long way, from blending milkshakes in festival fields to becoming a staple on retail shelves across the UK. We look forward to seeing the brand continue to thrive under the new ownership of Idilia.”
The Spanish company traces its origins back to a small workshop in Barcelona in 1945 and is the home to the ColaCao (instant hot chocolate powder) and Nocilla (hazelnut and chocolate spread) brands.
Pons said: “Shaken Udder is a perfect fit with Idilia’s strategic approach and helps us take our corporate purpose even further: to create those small yet meaningful moments of pleasure and positive emotions that contribute to people’s emotional wellbeing.
“We are very pleased to welcome Shaken Udder into the Idilia ecosystem and look forward to helping it grow and add real value to the milkshake segment.”
Reames added: “This is a major milestone in Shaken Udder’s evolution, as we aim to build our brand awareness, accelerate product innovation, and bring the delicious taste of Shaken Udder to more people.
“From the first meeting, it was clear that Idilia and Shaken Udder shared the same vision – like us, they are a family-owned business with a purpose to provide meaningful moments of pleasure. This commitment will not change, nor the team behind it: with Idilia’s support, we hope to accelerate Shaken Udder’s growth whilst shaking up the dairy category.”
Shaken Udder’s range of milkshakes, including the signature Chocolush flavour, are made by blending milk and contains no artificial ingredients. Over the years, the business has expanded the range to include protein variants and, earlier this year, launched two dessert-inspired innovations, including Raspberry Ripple.
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