Vestar Capital Partners Acquires Majority Interest in Roland Foods

Vestar Capital Partners VI, L.P. has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a majority interest in the Roland Foods family of companies, including Bruno Scheidt Inc., American Roland Food Corp., Pro Warehouse Corp. and Costamar Corp. Terms were not disclosed for the transaction that is expected to close by the end of September.

Roland Foods is a recognized leader in the imported specialty foods business in the U.S. and around the globe. “My parents started Roland Foods in the United States nearly 75 years ago, and the company has grown consistently over the years with the help of our valued customers, suppliers, and staff,” said Charles E. Scheidt, a member of the company’s founding family and CEO of Roland Foods. “Vestar appreciates and shares our values, as well as our company’s single-minded focus on our brands, quality products, and exceptional and reliable customer service. This evolution enables Roland Foods to build on its excellent foundation.”

“Roland Foods is a great company with a unique niche and superb reputation in the industry, and an exceptional initial investment for our new Vestar VI fund,” said Dan O’Connell, founder and CEO of Vestar. “Roland Foods is not only performing extremely well but also has impressive potential. Coupled with the bright growth outlook we see in the specialty foods sector, we believe Vestar’s resources and experience in the food and branded products arena can help Roland Foods grow substantially.”

The management team and staff will remain in place. Scheidt will continue as CEO and chairman of the board, and will retain an investment in the company. The company anticipates that a new CEO will be named in the coming year.  

Based in New York, Roland Foods specializes in importing high-quality specialty food products from more than 40 countries. Founded in Paris in 1934 and established in the United States in 1939, Roland Foods has provided customers with specialty foods under the Roland brand as well as Don Bruno, Chef Susanna’s, Costamar and Consul brands. The company has a national presence in the foodservice, retail and industrial channels, as well as international sales in the Caribbean, Central and South America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.