May 27, 2021

By Lynda Kiernan, Global AgInvesting Media

Chicago-based Entrepreneurial Equity Partners (e2p) announced that it has closed on $423 million for its inaugural fund Entrepreneurial Equity Partners I (e2p I).

Focused on control-oriented investments, e2p I will target investments in companies across the food and CPG sectors with a minimum revenue of $50 million specializing in food and beverage brands and/or products, private label and contract manufacturing, foodservice, and consumer packaged goods (CPG).

Once e2p commits capital, the firm’s team brings the extensive sector-specific experience and executive networks to bear, making them ideal partners for both corporate carve-outs and family businesses, to map out and deploy a transformative plan designed for strategic growth.

The e2p team is uniquely prepared for this role. Led by experienced food and CPG veteran execs and investment professionals, managing partner Mark Burgett has more than two decades of experience with private equity and finance, and managing partner CJ Fraleigh brings more than 25 years of experience including prior roles as chairman and CEO of Shearer’s Foods, CEO of Sara Lee North America, and VP of Colas at PepsiCo.

Burgett and Fraleigh are joined by partner Rich Scalise, who had served as chairman and CEO of Hearthside Food Solutions, president of Ralcorp Frozen Bakery Products, and president and COO of ConAgra’s Refrigerated Food Division. Together, these three previously partnered on several successful private equity deals, and are currently supported by a team of professionals and the e2p ecosystem – a network of food and CPG business owners, operators, and service providers.

“We are pleased and humbled by the investor support for our inaugural fund,” commented Mark Burgett, managing partner, e2p. “We view Fund I’s successful capital raise as a testament to the team we have built and our demonstrated ability to deploy capital into compelling opportunities.”

To-date, e2p I has made five capital commitments including:

~ Charcuterie Artisans – a producer of high-quality charcuterie and meats.
~ Salm Partners – the largest manufacturer of fully cooked sausages in the U.S.
~ Sara Lee Frozen Bakery – a leading provider of frozen baked goods
~ World Food Holdings – a leading provider of Mediterranean foods
~ And Ya Ya Foods – one of the largest co-packers of aseptic food and beverage products in North America

“We look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead,” said Fraleigh, “and are confident that our extensive operational expertise and industry networks will help us drive growth and value for our portfolio companies and investors.”

– Lynda Kiernan is editor with GAI Media, and is managing editor and daily contributor for Global AgInvesting’s AgInvesting Weekly News and  Agtech Intel News, as well as HighQuest Group’s Oilseed & Grain News. She can be reached at lkiernan@globalaginvesting.com.