Houlihan Lokey Advises Genius

Houlihan Lokey is pleased to announce that Genius Foods Ltd. (Genius) has been acquired by Katjesgreenfood GmbH (Katjes Greenfood). The transaction signed on 26 May 2022 and closed on 6 June 2022. The financial terms of the deal are undisclosed.

Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Edinburgh, UK, Genius is a gut wellness bakery brand that created the UK free-from fresh bakery category and remains the leader. Genius’ product range includes all bakery subcategories, including bread, rolls, morning goods, and prepacked breads. Genius has an established presence in several international markets, with a focus on the English-speaking countries of the UK, the US, and Australia.

Katjes Greenfood, headquartered in Düsseldorf, Germany, is an independent subsidiary of Katjes Group. Katjes Greenfood invests in innovative food companies whose plant-based products are shaping the food market's shift towards greater sustainability. The investment portfolio includes holdings in The Rainforest Company, VegDog, and Haferkater, among others.

The market for gluten-free products exhibits double-digit annual growth rates, as the desire for a healthy diet, without unnecessary additives, is recognised by an increasing number of consumers.

Following successes involving the Brazilian and North American businesses of ARYZTA, Weston Foods ambient bakery business, Dessert Holdings, Give & Go, Hovis, C.H. Guenther, Dolciaria Acquaviva, Fox’s Biscuits, Voortman Bakery, Tate’s Bake Shop, Diversi Foods, Nonni’s, Burton's Biscuits, Continental Bakeries, Venice Bakery, and BakeMark, this transaction reinforces Houlihan Lokey’s leading global franchise in the bakery/biscuits industry.

Houlihan Lokey acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Genius and assisted in initiating, structuring, and negotiating all aspects of the transaction on its behalf.