Arbor Investments acquires Furlani Foods to expand baking portfolio
The purchase adds Arbor’s scale and category depth through Furlani’s established brands and private label capabilities, while preserving the company’s operational leadership and existing management team.
USA – Arbor Investments, a specialized private equity firm focused on acquiring companies in food, beverage and related industries, has acquired Furlani Foods, a leading North American manufacturer of frozen and ambient garlic bread products, significantly expanding its baking sector holdings.
The deal marks Arbor’s third platform investment in its sixth fund and continues its tradition of backing bakery innovators, having previously invested in 19 such businesses, including Golden Waffles (Fund V), Crown Bakeries (Fund IV), Rise Baking (Fund III), Gold Standard Baking (Fund II), and Great Kitchens (Fund I).
The transaction was completed with terms not disclosed and will see Arbor leverage its sector focus to accelerate growth across Furlani’s product lines and manufacturing footprint.
Furlani, operating facilities across the US and Canada, specializes in premium garlic Texas toast, cheese bread, breadsticks, and garlic knots sold under its own brands, Cole’s (acquired in 2024), and major grocery private labels.
The acquisition from Entrepreneurial Equity Partners, who partnered with the Kawawa family in 2023, positions Furlani for accelerated growth amid surging demand for convenient, indulgent frozen bakery items.
CEO Jonathan Kawaja and the senior team will retain leadership, emphasizing continuity in a category where Furlani commands substantial market share.
Arbor Co-Founder and CEO Greg Purcell highlighted the strategic fit, stating, “Our philosophy is to invest in taste and value, and Furlani hits the mark on both. Add in our team’s deep expertise in baking, and I’m confident we can accelerate growth and win new customers and channels.”
President John Jordan added, “The Company’s next phase of expansion will require more of the same – continued investment in growth CapEx and compelling innovation to meet the needs of their customers. This aligns seamlessly with Arbor’s playbook, and we look forward to partnering on this next chapter together.”
This move reflects Arbor’s unwavering commitment to baking, a resilient segment buoyed by at-home dining, meal kits, and value-seeking consumers amid inflation.
Furlani’s scale enables deeper penetration into foodservice and export channels, while Arbor’s expertise, from tortillas to pastries, promises operational synergies and R&D boosts for clean-label, ethnic-inspired variants.
As North American agribusiness navigates labor shortages and sustainability pressures, Arbor’s infusion positions Furlani to capture growth from rising garlic bread popularity in casual dining replicas.
Arbor’s announcement framed the deal as a long‑term partnership aimed at supporting Furlani’s growth through investments in manufacturing capabilities, product development and expanded retail and foodservice penetration, while maintaining the company’s emphasis on homemade‑quality specialty breads.
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