Last updated on June 13th, 2024
Ka-Pop! Snacks, makers of Ancient Grain Popped Chips & Puffs, and Bubba’s Fine Foods, makers of Paleo and Keto-friendly snacks, granolas and private-label goods, have released a merger agreement. This new company, operating as Awakened Foods, will compete in the fastest-growing food trends in the $110 billion global healthy snacks market and the $38 billion global cereal/granola market.
Dustin Finkel will lead Awakened Foods as CEO (former CEO/founder of Ka-Pop! Snacks), and Jeff Schmidgall will take over as COO (former CEO/founder of Bubba’s Fine Foods). Combined, they bring more than 45 years of CPG leadership, manufacturing and finance experience.
“The combination of two companies at this early trajectory is extraordinary. Rarely is there such a perfect fit in culture, capabilities, products and innovation. This merger allows us to simultaneously accelerate our top and bottom line, building on an already strong gross margin foundation and 2020 growth rates of over 200 percent,” Finkel said.
“Leveraging new capital and the best-in-class manufacturing infrastructure built over the last six years at Bubba’s Fine Foods, Awakened Foods is ready to take on the meteoric growth of our branded businesses,” Schmidgal said. “Simultaneously, we will apply our decades of experience in manufacturing excellence to fast-track our private label and co-manufacturing division, Awakened Food Crafters.”
Awakened Foods is headquartered in Loveland, Colorado.
“We believe making and sharing food is a sacred privilege. We take that responsibility incredibly seriously as both Jeff and I have overcome mental and physical health challenges by committing to clean eating and a healthy lifestyle. Our products represent the best potential of food – uncompromising in their taste and health – bringing joy back to healthy eating,” said Finkel. “The historic wins across our brands and channels, including the No. 1 launches on Amazon in three categories in 2020 for Bubba’s Keto Granola, Keto Snack Mix and Ka-Pop! Vegan Cheddar Puffs are just a peek at our potential.”
