October 30, 2024 – Today marks an exciting day in the snacking industry as Pipcorn Heirloom Snacks® and Spudsy® announce that they have sold their assets to newly-formed UpSnack Brands. The acquisition by UpSnack Brands brings together two like-minded, high-growth brands dedicated to providing unique better-for-you, sustainably-focused snacks that are both good for consumers and the planet.
By bringing together Pipcorn’s reach and expertise in using heirloom corn to create tasty snack products with Spudsy’s ability to transform imperfect spuds into delicious snacks, this integration will expand the impact of both brands. The company’s offerings will feature the diverse range of snacks representing Pipcorn and Spudsy’s creative use of natural, environmentally friendly ingredients in products that are better for you and better for the environment.
Joe DePetrillo, CEO of Pipcorn, expressed his enthusiasm for becoming the CEO of UpSnack Brands, stating: “We are thrilled that UpSnack Brands is uniting Pipcorn and Spudsy under the same umbrella, combining these two high growth brands to expand our impact in delivering great tasting snacks with a shared commitment to quality and sustainability. This new venture will enable continued investment in growth and fuel innovation in our future product offerings.”
Pipcorn has seen consistent growth of their portfolio over the years: starting with the Mini Popcorn that caught the eye of celebrities like Oprah and made waves on Shark Tank, evolving to include delicious Cheese Balls, Crunchies, Corn Dippers, upcycled Twists, which further solidified the brand’s commitment to sustainability by earning the Where Food Comes From Upcycled Certification, and their newest product: Pipcorn Fries. By using heirloom corn, Pipcorn not only aims to craft delicious snacks but also to conserve agricultural biodiversity that could otherwise diminish. The brand’s approach ensures the preservation of a vital piece of agricultural heritage, making Pipcorn’s offerings truly beneficial for consumers and the environment alike.
Dave West, CEO of Pipcorn’s lead investor Factory LLC, added: “We have been excited to support and see the evolution of Pipcorn from mini popcorn to a broader, heirloom-based snack portfolio, and we look forward to the future growth of these two great, like-minded brands as part of UpSnack Brands.”
At Spudsy, upcycling is the name of the game, and saving the spud means taking a portion of the sweet potatoes that would have otherwise ended up in landfills due to minor “flaws” like shape, size, and color, and transforming them into irresistible snacks for the whole family. Snackers can satisfy their cravings with Spudsy’s wide range of products, including Sweet Potato Fries, Sweet Potato Poppers, and Sweet Potato Scoops, which are all made with upcycled ingredients, as well as the Sweet Potato Puffs.
Billy Logan, Managing Partner at KarpReilly, the private equity partners behind Spudsy, remarked: “We are extremely proud of Spudsy’s journey and accomplishments. This union of the Pipcorn and Spudsy brands in UpSnack, will further enhance Spudsy’s capabilities and market presence. We are enthusiastic about UpSnack Brands now taking this brand under their wing, and helping Spudsy grow even further.”
Ashley Rogers, founder and former CEO of Spudsy, will be transitioning to a new role as CEO of Sprinkles CPG, part of the KarpReilly family of brands. Reflecting on the shift, Rogers commented, “It’s been an incredible journey building Spudsy from the ground up. I’m proud of everything we’ve accomplished, and I’m confident that Spudsy will continue to thrive as part of UpSnack Brands. As I move on to focus fully on Sprinkles CPG, I look forward to watching Spudsy’s continued growth and success.”
Looking ahead, UpSnack Brands is committed to driving innovation in the snacking industry and will expand product lines and strengthen each of the brands’ presence, with a continued focus on sustainability, ensuring a positive impact on both consumers and the planet. Through innovative products and dedicated efforts, UpSnack Brands aims to set a new standard in better-for-you, sustainable snacking. Pipsnacks was advised on the transaction by Green Circle Capital Advisors.
More About PIPCORN HEIRLOOM SNACKS®:
PIPCORN HEIRLOOM SNACKS® is a better-for-you, salty snack brand made with heirloom corn, offering Mini Popcorn, Cheese Balls, Crunchies, Corn Dippers and Twists; simple, real ingredients that are gluten-free and Non-GMO Project Verified. Pipcorn became a Shark Tank success story when backed by Barbara Corcoran in 2015. Pipcorn was crowned as one of “Oprah’s Favorite Things” three times and is beloved by celebrities, families, and on-the-go snackers across the nation. Pipcorn Heirloom Snacks encourages you to snack on your own terms. Pipcorn has over 30,000 points of distribution nationwide and is available at retailers including Whole Foods Market, Target, Sprouts, Kroger, Thrive Market, Misfits Market, The Giant Company, The Fresh Market, Meijer and more. For more information, visit www.pipsnacks.com, or follow on socials at @pipcornheirloomsnacks.
More About SPUDSY®:
Spudsy, founded by Ashley Rogers in 2018, is the world’s first upcycled sweet potato snack. Inspired by her love for sweet potatoes, Ashley reimagined her favorite, nostalgic snacks with a better-for-you twist that never sacrifices taste, sustainability, or nutrition. Spudsy’s mission is to #SaveTheSpud by transforming imperfect sweet potatoes that would otherwise go to waste into delicious, plant-based snacks that are certified Gluten Free, Vegan, Kosher, NGMO, top allergen free, and with the Fries, Scoops and Poppers: Upcycled. To date, the Spudsy team has saved over two million sweet potatoes with the help from our over 20,000 points of distribution nationwide. You can find Spudsy at your local Whole Foods Market, Sprouts, Misfit Market, HEB, Wegmans, Walmart, Publix and many more. For more information, visit www.spudsy.com, or follow on socials at @spudsyfoods.
