Houlihan Lokey Advises Zarbee's Naturals

Houlihan Lokey is pleased to announce that Zarbee's Naturals, a portfolio company of L Catterton, has been acquired by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. The transaction closed on September 14, 2018.

Zarbee's Naturals was founded in 2008, driven by a pediatrician's quest for a drug-free children's cough syrup. Over the last decade, Zarbee's Naturals has grown into a broad-based health and wellness brand and has disrupted the cough, sleep, immune support, and vitamin categories with its portfolio of natural, better-for-you products. The company has established itself as the number one pediatrician-recommended cough syrup brand for children 10 and under and continues to focus on creating wholesome wellness products for the entire family. Zarbee's Naturals is majority-owned by the Growth Fund of L Catterton in partnership with various minority owners, including Sorenson Capital.

With over $15 billion of equity capital across six fund strategies in 17 offices globally, L Catterton is the largest consumer-focused private equity firm in the world. L Catterton's team of more than 150 investment and operating professionals partners with management teams around the world to implement strategic plans to foster growth, leveraging deep category insight, operational excellence, and a broad thought partnership network. Since 1989, the firm has made over 200 investments in leading consumer brands. L Catterton was formed through the partnership of Catterton, LVMH, and Groupe Arnault.

Houlihan Lokey served as the exclusive financial advisor to Zarbee's Naturals and assisted in structuring and negotiating the transaction on its behalf.