Dessert Holdings acquired by Bain Capital
Dessert Holdings, a premium cakes and desserts producer of private label products and three name brands, has been acquired by Bain Capital Private Equity.
Paul Lapadat, CEO of Dessert Holdings, and the leadership team will remain in place. In addition to its store brand products, Dessert Holdings, St. Paul, Minn., operates the three brands The Original Cakerie, Lawler’s Desserts and Atlanta Cheesecake Company.
“We are focused on building the leading premium dessert company in North America by bringing innovative, chef-inspired dessert products to our retail and foodservice customers,” said Lapadat. “Bain Capital Private Equity’s investment and business-building expertise is coming at just the right time in our evolution, and they share our vision and ambition to accelerate our growth as the innovation leader in premium, artisanal desserts. We want to thank Gryphon Investors for its support over the last five years and look forward to partnering with our new owners to expand our organization and support the next stage of growth.”
Original Cakerie, under the company, was founded in 1979, a manufacturer of high-quality desserts with locations in Vancouver, British Columbia and London, Ontario. Lawler’s Desserts was founded in 1976, a manufacturer of gourmet cheesecakes, layer cakes, pies and other premium desserts based in Humble, Texas. Atlanta Cheesecake, founded in 1988, produces cheesecakes and fusion desserts based in Kennesaw, Ga.
Together, the brands serve more than 250 customers in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, South America and Asia.
“Paul and his team have done an exceptional job in building Dessert Holdings as the leading premium desserts platform in a category that continues to grow as consumers increasingly choose to treat themselves to desserts with high quality, clean label ingredients,” said Adam Nebesar, a managing director at Bain Capital Private Equity. “We are thrilled to partner with this experienced team and look forward to supporting Dessert Holdings as it develops new and innovative products, pursues organic growth and acquisition opportunities, and further strengthens its value proposition to existing and new customers.”