CTI Foods acquires premium protein pizza toppings producer Liguria Foods

CTI Foods, a provider of custom food solutions to restaurant chains in the US, has acquired Liguria Foods.

Liguria Foods produces pepperoni, salami and other premium protein pizza toppings.

Financial details of the transaction have not been revealed.

CTI Foods president Sam Rovit said: "We are excited to welcome Liguria to the CTI family, and we especially like that Liguria is the pepperoni of choice for many of the most discriminating, independent and multi-unit pizzerias in the US.

"It is a good market to compete in as pizza sales are growing at three percent annually and roughly half of all pizzas in the US are ordered with pepperoni.

"The addition of Liguria’s high quality products is consistent with our commitment to growth by diversifying CTI’s differentiated protein offerings and broadening CTI’s distribution channels."

"In addition, we have developed a high regard for Liguria’s management and are delighted that the entire team will be joining CTI under the continued leadership of Lance Chambers."

Liguria CEO Lance Chambers said: "We have aggressively built market share by being highly responsive to customer needs and by focusing on independent and multi-unit operators who want authentic, high quality and flavourful pepperoni.

"We are very pleased to align with CTI. We believe our teams are a great fit and look forward to leveraging our array of complementary capabilities as we continue to earn our customers’ business each and every day."

Based in Wilder, Idaho, CTI Foods was founded in 1985. Its value-added products comprise cooked proteins such as fajita and taco meat, beans, soups and sauces, which are produced at six facilities across the US.

CTI is owned in majority by Thomas H Lee Partners and Goldman Sachs & Co.

Headquartered in Humboldt, Iowa, Liguria Foods started in 1974. Liguria was majority owned by BBH Capital Partners, which is the key investing unit of Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.