WEBINAR RECAP

Great food, exceptional deals: M&A trends in the healthy food space

As consumers in many countries become increasingly interested in eating more healthily and have a greater awareness regarding the impact of diet and nutrition, healthy food is gaining traction at a business level. Heritage companies are looking to fortify and expand their product lines, for example with sugar-free and gluten-free options, while startups are emerging in areas such as better-for-you food and healthy ready-to-eat meals.

Such a dynamic industry merits an in-depth look and Oaklins’ most recent webinar focused on healthy food. It featured two very different but equally significant case studies, one regarding a well-established extract and flavorings company from the US, while the other covered a rapidly growing D2C French brand that delivers meals straight to customers’ homes.

Oaklins Healthy Food webinar Spot On Jul25 Download PDF

View the full video recording here

Key takeaways

Strong M&A momentum: Oaklins closed 37 healthy food deals between 2020 and 2024 — 35% of the transactions were cross-border, reflecting growing global investor demand for free-from and better-for-you food products.

Case study insights: Watkins Co. focused on succession planning with the right PE partner, while Cheef pursued growth with a tailored financial structure — both showcase Oaklins’ strategic, relationship-driven advisory.

Regional trends: Europe emphasizes wellness and regulation-driven deals; the USA sees strategic and PE-led consolidation despite policy headwinds; and LatAm presents high growth potential but faces access challenges.

Founders’ priorities: Early-stage companies should focus on governance, scalability and product differentiation — reaching a viable size is critical before attracting large buyers.