Compleat buys two brands from Entrepreneurial Food Group

Food manufacturer the Compleat Food Group has acquired SK Foods and Zorba Foods from the Entrepreneurial Food Group for an undisclosed figure.

With significant existing market share within the branded and private label chilled Mediterranean-deli and olives and antipasti categories, Compleat is adding SK Foods and Zorba Delicacies’ complementary products to its portfolio, gaining access to a range of new categories and expanding its production capabilities.

Formed in 1987, Teesside-based SK Foods employs over 770 people and specialises in globally inspired party foods including Indian, Oriental, Tex Mex, Mediterranean, and traditional British. It became part of Entrepreneurial in 1999.

Meanwhile, south Wales-based Zorba Foods was established in 1976 before joining Entrepreneurial in 2003. Now employing nearly 380 people at its Gwent site, it started out creating authentic Greek houmous, before expanding to cover a range of Greek, traditional, Tex Mex and Asian-inspired dips and sauces, alongside soups, for retail and foodservice.

Nick Field, CEO at Compleat said: “Both companies have strong heritage in their categories for creating great food that people love. We plan to continue investment in them to extend their respective capabilities, allowing us to further innovate and inspire within their categories.

He believes that the acquisitions accelerate Compleat’s ability to increase its breadth of capabilities and drive sustained growth in the sector.

Jeremy Faulkner, CEO of both SK Foods and Zorba, added: “At the heart of both SK Foods and Zorba is a commitment to real food values. It’s what our reputations have been founded on and why we are able to say that we are category leaders.

“With Compleat, we have found a natural partner who not only shares our values, but also the ambition to invest and support us in driving further innovation and growth for our categories and key partners.”

Backed by European private equity firm PAI Partners, Compleat was founded in 2021 and currently employs over 3,800 people across 10 sites, with an annual turnover in excess of £750m. It is home to brands including Pork Farms, Wall’s Pastry, unearthed, Vadasz, Squeaky Bean, Wrights and its most recent addition, Palace Culture.