COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fuji Food Products, Inc., a premier manufacturer and distributor of sushi and other ethnic food products, has acquired Okami, Inc., a provider of premium refrigerated gourmet ethnic meals.
McGladrey Capital Markets initiated the transaction, sourced the buyer, led the negotiations, and acted as exclusive financial advisor to Okami, Inc. Brette Simon of Jones Day LLP (Los Angeles) acted as legal counsel to Okami. Richard F. Marr of Rutan & Tucker, LLP (Costa Mesa, CA) acted as legal counsel to Fuji. Transaction terms were not disclosed.
“The transaction will bring together Okami and Fujisan, two highly recognizable and leading brands in the refrigerated gourmet prepared foods category,” said Brad Schreiber, senior managing director at McGladrey Capital Markets. “Acquiring Okami will expand Fuji’s brand portfolio, customer base and presence at retailers, while also allowing for significant synergies and efficiencies with regards to purchasing, production, distribution, sales and marketing.”
“We are excited about the merger of the two most trusted brands in the Asian Ready-to-Eat category,” commented Joe Marchica, President of Fuji. “By combining the strengths of both brands and operations, we will be able to provide our customers with the best and most innovative products, manufacturing, distribution and merchandising practices.”
About Fuji Food Products
Fuji Food Products, Inc. (www.fujifood.com) was founded in 1990 in San Diego, California as a family owned business offering fresh sushi as a deli item in local food markets. In 1998, the company expanded its operation by introducing fresh sushi to major retail chains, and embarked on a plan to make Fujisan a respected brand name throughout the United States and beyond. Acquired in 2009 by the Meruelo Group, Fuji Food Products, Inc. has become one of the fastest growing Sushi manufacturers and distributors of fresh Asian food items and other ethnic food products in the United States. Fuji currently supplies over 4,000 major supermarket and club format retail locations in over 44 states.
About Okami
For over 13 years, Okami, Inc. (www.okamifoods.com) has been providing premium refrigerated, gourmet ethnic meals that are enjoyed by consumers across the nation. Headquartered in Sun Valley, California, Okami was established in 1996 by two successful caterers that recognized the growing market for high-quality, prepared food products. Their mission was to identify emerging trends and tastes, and introduce to market fresh and unique products, with an extended shelf-life, that appeal to the most sophisticated consumers. Their success in accomplishing this mission continues to be one of the Company’s strengths to this day. Initially, Okami targeted the sushi sector as a niche market with significant opportunity and developed the first fresh-tasting, premium packaged sushi product with an extended shelf-life. Since that time, Okami has leveraged its success with sushi to expand its product line into other Asian and non-Asian specialty food products including Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Bao, Gyoza, Edamame, salads, sandwiches and more. The Company has established an exceptional reputation and a highly-recognizable brand. Okami’s sought-after products can be found at leading specialty food retailers, traditional grocery chains and club stores throughout the United States.
About McGladrey Capital Markets
McGladrey Capital Markets LLC (www.mcgladreycm.com) is a global provider of investment banking services to private and public companies with annual revenues of up to $1 billion. The firm’s services include mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, recapitalizations, capital raising, fairness opinions and restructurings. McGladrey Capital Markets, which offers in-depth expertise in many distinct industry sectors, brings together companies, capital and creativity on a national and international scale to help clients achieve their personal and strategic objectives.
McGladrey Capital Markets is affiliated with McGladrey Inc., a professional services firm providing accounting, tax and business consulting. Both firms are indirect subsidiaries of H&R Block Inc. (NYSE: HRB), the world’s preeminent tax services provider. McGladrey Capital Markets’ international headquarters are located in Costa Mesa, Calif. The firm is a member of FINRA.
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