Kettle Foods completes snack acquisition

The maker of Kettle Chips, Kettle Foods, said it was “delighted” after purchasing the remaining 74% of the business. The deal meant Kettle Foods took full ownership of premium popcorn brand Metcalfe’s skinny popcorn.

The deal was said to be mutually beneficial for both companies. Kettle Foods said the acquisition would help to drive growth, while Metcalfe’s skinny said it was an exciting opportunity to expand under the expertise of Kettle Foods.

‘An incredibly innovative premium brand’

Kettle Foods md Ashley Hicks said: “We are delighted to acquire Metcalfe’s skinny popcorn, which is an incredibly innovative premium brand and which has built such a strong foundation in the UK market.

“We now have the opportunity to extend the brand’s success story with further innovation and brand development, and as a result drive even stronger growth in this exciting category.”

The UK popcorn market has grown by 45% over the past two years. Previous owner of Metcalfe’s skinny, Metcalfe’s Food Company, was hailed as the UK’s fastest growing privately-owned food and drink company in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 list, in December 2014.

‘Very excited’

The former co-owners of the Metcalfe’s skinny company, Julian Metcalfe and Robert Jakobi, said: “We are very excited about the opportunity for the Metcalfe’s skinny popcorn brand to expand with the support and expertise of the Kettle Foods organisation.

“This is a unique opportunity to bring the best brains in snacking together under one roof to truly give Metcalfe’s skinny the international opportunity it deserves. This is a positive step on many levels that we know will not only showcase the brand’s potential, but will benefit our customers in the long term too.”

Kettle Foods outlined its admiration of Metcalfe’s skinny in January, after it purchased a 26% stake in the company. At the time, Kettle Foods said Metcalfe’s skinny was an “incredibly innovative, dynamic [and] fast-growing” brand.