KB Holding buys upscale food shops Kings and Balducci’s

KB Holding Inc, a GSSG Capital affiliate, has acquired upscale food shops Kings Super Markets and Balducci’s Food Lover’s Markets from Angelo, Gordon & Co. and MTN Capital Partners LLC. No financial terms were disclosed. Castle Harlan was the adviser on the transaction.

PRESS RELEASE

New York (August 11, 2016) — Castle Harlan, the New York private equity investment firm, announced today that it initiated and spearheaded the acquisition of Kings Super Markets and Balducci’s Food Lover’s Markets, by KB Holding, Inc., a Delaware-based investment firm affiliated with GSSG Capital, a global diversified private holding company with offices located in New York, Europe and the Middle East. Kings and Balducci’s were acquired from Angelo, Gordon & Co. and MTN Capital Partners LLC. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Castle Harlan identified the potential transaction in a proprietary manner and approached Angelo, Gordon and MTN about selling the company. Castle Harlan subsequently selected GSSG Capital as the most appropriate source of equity for the acquisition.

Castle Harlan is an active investment manager, pursuing selected private equity acquisitions and controlling investments, together with a few large families and family offices, both US and foreign.

“This reflects Castle Harlan’s continued activities in identifying and completing unique private equity transactions with market-leading companies” said Marcel Fournier, the Senior Managing Director who led the transaction at Castle Harlan alongside Eric Schwartz, Managing Director, who added, “Kings and Balducci’s are two long-established and well-recognized brands in high-end food retailing with, we believe, an outstanding potential for expansion, and we are pleased to see this transaction reach its successful conclusion.”

About Castle Harlan:
Castle Harlan, founded in 1987, has invested in controlling interests in and the development of middle-market companies in North America, Australia and Europe. Its team of senior investment professionals completed over 50 acquisitions since its inception with a total value in excess of $11 billion. The firm traces its roots to the start of the institutionalized private equity business in the late 1960s.

About Kings Food Markets:
An upscale grocery store serving customers throughout New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, Kings provides a unique shopping experience paired with the highest quality foods. From locally sourced, organically grown produce, to fresh fruit, delicious meats to hand-selected cheeses from over 20 countries, Kings seeks to bring exceptional grocery items to shoppers in all of the company’s locations. The in-store experience is enhanced by Kings’ associates, all of whom are passionate about food and eager to help customers become inspired and create the perfect meal. Kings is based in Parsippany, NJ, with 25 stores serving the region. The company was founded in 1936, marking its 80th anniversary in 2016.

About Balducci’s Food Lover’s Market:
Balducci’s Food Lover’s Market is a gourmet specialty food shop with stores located in New York, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia and On the Go Café locations in New York City and Baltimore, MD.; with an office in Rockville, MD. With a commitment to food, each item brings the very best in flavors. From hand-selected produce, a variety of meats roasted and smoked in Old World tradition, fish flown in fresh from the wharves, restaurant–quality prepared foods, imported cheeses, and Balducci’s own brand offerings, Balducci’s has all the indulgences one can imagine. Balducci’s prides itself in having an Executive Chef at every Food Lover’s Market location ensuring the quality its customers have come to expect. Catering is also available for any occasion online or in all locations. The company was founded in 1916, marking its 100th anniversary in 2016.

The Food Partners provided market information and analysis.