Mergers & Acquisitions

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Orin Rosenfeld has founded Rosenfeld Realty Advisors.

As president of the new firm, Rosenfeld will draw on 18 years of commercial real estate experience with CBRE and NAI Merin Hunter Codman. The company will specialize in office and retail real estate and will represent both landlords and tenants across South Florida.

In its PizzaRev case study series, CSA Online offers an insider’s look at the conception, initial rollout and growth of the southern Calif.-based fast-casual concept PizzaRev. Likened to “the Chipotle of pizza,” this innovative chain lets customers choose from an artisanal array of toppings to craft their own pizzas very quickly in a high-end stone hearth oven. A test kitchen in Northridge, Calif. was launched in April 2012 and two additional locations quickly followed.

OAK BROOK, Ill. — Food manufacturer TreeHouse Foods has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Cains Foods, a privately owned manufacturer of shelf stable mayonnaise, dressings and sauces.

Cains is based in Ayer, Mass., and generates approximately $80 million in annual revenue. The company employs approximately 100 people. Its product portfolio offers retail and foodservice customers an assortment of packaging sizes, sold under both private label store brands and the Cains, Naturally Delicious and Olde Cape Cod brands.

CINCINNATI -- The Kroger Co. announced the establishment of two new supermarket divisions, a Nashville division and a Louisville division.

"Opportunities for growth in Tennessee, northern Alabama, Kentucky, and Southern Illinois and Indiana inspired us to take this path," said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's president and chief operating officer. "We believe this move will enable our associates to do what they do best – meet the needs of our local customers and neighbors, our communities, and each other."
   

Growth opportunities in new geographies prompted Kroger to realign its organizational structure and place four executive in new roles.

Just two days after reporting strong first quarter results, the nation’s second largest food retailer established two new supermarket divisions in Nashville and Louisville.

Canton, Mass.  -- As part of a brand overhaul, Dunkin’ Donuts is switching its focus from doughnuts and baked goods to coffee and other beverages. At this week’s annual consumer conference hosted by investment banking firm Jeffries, Paul Carbone, CFO of parent company Dunkin’ Brands Group, said beverages accounted for 58% of sales at U.S. franchise locations last year.

“We are a beverage company,” Carbone said. “Fred the Baker is not coming back.”

A new brand identity now adorns the GSI Commerce business eBay acquired two years ago for $2.4 billion.

Quebec, Canada -- Canadian home-improvement chain Rona Inc. said Thursday it has reached an agreement to sell off its plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning business to Emco Corp. in a deal worth about $207 million.

The division sells plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems to commercial and industrial construction customers. The move is expected to add additional financial stability to the company, which is in the midst of a three-year turnaround plan.