10 major food and drink M&A deals for 2025
2025 has seen its fair share of big-name mergers and acquisitions involving the likes of Arla Foods, Hovis and Premier Foods.
Investments
CMA clears £1.2BN Greencore-Bakkavor deal
Greencore’s acquisition of Bakkavor is set to complete on 16 January 2026 following the Competition Markets Authority (CMA) accepting its move to sell its Bristol soups and sauces plant as a sufficient remedy.
Key F&B investments of 2025
Food Manufacture charts 10 major investment projects rolled out in 2025 within food and drink production.
Hilltop makes major line investment
The independent honey brand has added new capacity and capability into its Newton site in Wales, with lines for pie fillings, meat accompaniment, sauces, condiments and peanut butter now in place.
Aldi to open five new stores in 24 hours
The discounter will open five new stores in 24 hours, as part its nationwide expansion plans.
Lynas Foodservice acquires JB Foods in strategy for Scottish growth
Lynas Foodservice has acquired Edinburgh-based JB Foods in a strategic move that will strengthen its service and supply network for Scottish caterers.
Hero unveils new leadership team for Deliciously Ella
Hero UK&I has revealed its leadership team following the purchase of UK food manufacturer Deliciously Ella.
Beacon Foods invests £230k in packaging capability
Beacon Foods, the UK ingredients ready-to-eat products specialist, has boosted its sachet packing capability by investing c.£230k in new machinery to meet the growing demand for larger orders.
NewPrinces completes acquisition of Carrefour Italia
NewPrinces, the parent company of UK-based Princes Group, has completed the acquisition of Carrefour Italia, now renamed Princes Retail, with the aim of strengthening its presence in the Italian market.
Borough Broth Company secures £7.5M investment to drive growth
Borough Broth Company, the British organic bone broth manufacturer, has secured a £7.5 million investment from Piper to support its next phase of sustainable growth.
Treatt chief executive steps down weeks after shareholders reject deal
UK-based ingredients manufacturer Treatt has revealed David Shannon is to step down as chief exec at the end of the year.
Unilever remains quiet over sell-off speculation
As rumours fly that Unilever might sell classic British food brands, including Marmite, Bovril and Colman’s, we look at what could be driving this multi-brand disposal.
Dina Foods boosts manufacturing capacity with £1M in investment
Dina Foods, the Mediterranean bakery, confectionery and savouries supplier, has invested £1 million over the last three years in an ongoing programme of manufacturing upgrades at its Park Royal factory in London.
Magnum invests £50M into UK’s largest ice cream factory
The Magnum Ice Cream Company has injected £50 million to upgrade its factory at Gloucester – the largest ice cream plant in the UK.
FDF urges government to back £50BN growth plan
The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is calling on the UK Government to partner with the sector to unlock an ambitious £50 billion vision for growth by 2035.
Compleat Food Group to acquire Greencore Bristol soup and sauce site
The convenience food manufacturer has reported strong results for the financial year ended 26 September 2025 and reveals plans to sell its Bristol site to Compleat Food Group as a remedy to CMA concerns ahead of its merger with Bakkavor.
Shaken Udder founders exit as Idilia takes control
The premium and fast-growing milkshake brand, Shaken Udder Group Limited, has been snapped up by Spanish food company, Idilia, for an undisclosed sum.
Tesco calls for national framework to bolster UK food security
The call to action was made by Tesco UK CEO Ashwin Prasad at an event for British farmers and food suppliers at Tesco’s headquarters.
Sweet treats help to boost revenue at Premier Foods
Innovation in sweet treats has helped to boost revenue at Premier Foods as it reported growth in the UK grocery sector of 7.4%.
Princes Group has ‘firepower’ for acquisitions
The boss of Princes Group has said the company would be pursuing mergers and acquisitions with the “firepower” it has since launching on the London Stock Exchange.
Co-op store investment reaches over £200M
The retailer has revealed it plans to open more than 50 new or transformed Co-op stores across the UK in November and December.
Bells of Lazonby completes £1M expansion
The Cumbrian bakery has finished a major expansion that will boost production and support future growth.
Former Iceland innovation boss launches food licensing business
The former head of licensing & innovation at Iceland Foods, Oliver Gilding, has launched a new food and drink licensing business called Food Brands Now (FBN).
Greencore and Bakkavor deal looks set to get green light
Greencore’s £1.2 billion acquisition of Bakkavor is expected to complete in early 2026 after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it accepted in principle the “remedies” put forward by the businesses to resolve its concerns.
M&S profits hit hard
The retailer’s profits for the first half of the year have taken a major slump in the aftermath of its Easter cyberattack.
Aldi to open 16 stores in time for Christmas
Aldi is to open 16 new stores across the UK in the next five weeks, creating around 40 new jobs at each location.
Princes floats at £1.16BN with IPO priced at bottom range
Princes Group, known for producing tuna and Napolina tomatoes, is set to float at a valuation of £1.16 billion, with its IPO priced at the lower end of the expected range.
Farmison site and brand identity sold to different companies
Farmison & Co has been divided, with Febripa Holdings snapping up the plant and shop, whilst another DTC butcher takes the brand identity.
Oatly plans to triple investment into British grown oats by 2026
The goal comes as the oat drink brand announces that most of its Barista range has switched to 100% British grown oats and follows its Q3 2025 results.
Mr Kipling factory invests £2.1M in solar farm
The Premier Foods’ Carlton bakery which makes Mr Kipling’s cakes has seen a significant investment into solar power.
Lidl sees £400M sales increase as customers leave rivals
An extra 38 million customer visits were made to supermarket chain Lidl over its past financial year, with a £400 million increase in sales coming direct from them switching from competitors.
Bakkavor and Greencore bosses remain confident despite CMA concerns
The Competition and Markets Authority phase 1 investigation has flagged concerns with the acquisition, but the businesses remain positive the transaction will go ahead.
Princes Group to raise up to £400M in IPO
Princes Group will be looking to raise up to £400 million to support the company with further inorganic growth via acquisitions as part of its initial Public Offering (IPO).
Heritage South Asian sweets brand enters new era following £22M acquisition
Egg-free cake retailer Cake Box has revealed the next phase of its growth plan for Ambala.
SlimFast UK & Europe acquired for £20.1M
The FMCG manufacturer, supplier and brand owner, Supreme, has purchased the trade and selected UK and European assets of SlimFast.
Why did Joe Delucci’s go into liquidation?
Challenging events in 2023 led to Joe Delucci’s liquidation last month, say joint liquidators.
Historic sweets manufacturer moves into new 60,000 sq ft site
Lancashire-based confectioner, Stockley’s, has invested into a new facility as part of ambitious growth plans.
Roberts Bakery saved, over 400 jobs secured
Roberts Bakery parent company Frank Roberts & Sons Limited has been saved by the private investment enterprise, Boparan Private Office, owned by entrepreneur Ranjit Singh Boparan.
McVitie’s maker surpasses £3BN in revenue
Pladis posted record revenue in its latest full-year results, as it hit £3.23 billion.
Asda to open 20 new convenience stores by end of 2025
Supermarket chain Asda has revealed it is to launch up to 20 new Express convenience stores across the UK by the end of the year as part of its plans to expand the format.
Finsbury invests millions into foodservice site
The manufacturer is making a multi-million investment into its Manchester-based Kara Foodservice facility to drive innovation, efficiency and growth.
Arla Lockerbie celebrates 50th birthday with £144M investment
The dairy firm has made major upgrades to its cheddar facilities and is adding a UHT and lacto-free Centre of Excellence, alongside a new anaerobic digestion plant at its Scottish site in Lockerbie.
Eden Mill opens new distillery
The ribbon has been cut on the beverage firm’s new landmark distillery and visitor centre, situated on the banks of the Eden Estuary.
Princes Group confirms London IPO plans
Following the announcement on 3 October 2025 of its expected intention to float, Princes Group has confirmed it will proceed with an initial public offering (IPO).
Dessert retailer receives £1.1M investment
Batch’d expects to significantly grow turnover in next three years, with ambitious expansion plans.
Whitakers Chocolates invests in new nut facility
The North Yorkshire chocolatier has announced the investment alongside a new product launch.
Carlsberg Britvic invests £20M into Rugby factory
The beverage manufacturer has made a major investment into its Rugby factory, creating double digit job opportunities.
Pilgrim’s Europe profits grow amid revenue dip
The UK private label grocery supplier reported profitable growth, with profit after tax at £128.4 million for FY 2024.
New Princes plans IPO and listing on London Stock Exchange
New Princes Group has announced plans to launch an initial public offering (IPO).
Boparan to expand restaurant portfolio with new site openings
Boparan Restaurant Group has announced plans to open numerous new Slim Chickens and Giraffe sites.