65a6cd0506f56a001e6dda57 Shutterstock 1068917738

Patriot Pickle Changes Hands from One Investment Firm to Another

Jan. 16, 2024

H.I.G. Capital acquires the pickle processor from Swander Pace Capital, looking to capitalize on and assist in the acceleration of the company’s growth trajectory.

Andy Hanacek

Patriot Pickle, a manufacturer and distributor of fresh pickles and other fermented food products, has changed ownership hands from Swander Pace Capital to an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital, according to releases from both private-equity firms.

H.I.G. will partner with Patriot’s current management team to help accelerate its successful growth trajectory, the H.I.G. release noted. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Patriot had been acquired by Swander Pace in April 2021.

Patriot was founded in 2004, and the company is headquartered in Wayne, N.J. In May 2023, Patriot acquired Garland, Texas-based First Place Foods, another pickle processor — its second acquisition in 14 months. The company offers a wide variety of cuts, flavors and national brands, including Patriot Pickle, Crisp, Regal Crown, K&Z and First Place Foods. The company prides itself on delivering fresh, “farm to package” pickles in five days or less to its foodservice operator and retail customers, the announcement said.

H.I.G. is experienced in the food and beverage industry, having gained expertise through prior investments in Lipari Foods, Albertville Quality Foods, Tastes on the Fly, Ready Pac Foods, Quick Restaurants and Puerto de Indias, among others.

About the Author

Andy Hanacek | Senior Editor

Andy Hanacek has covered meat, poultry, bakery and snack foods as a B2B editor for nearly 20 years, and has toured hundreds of processing plants and food companies, sharing stories of innovation and technological advancement throughout the food supply chain. In 2018, he won a Folio:Eddie Award for his unique "From the Editor's Desk" video blogs, and he has brought home additional awards from Folio and ASBPE over the years. In addition, Hanacek led the Meat Industry Hall of Fame for several years and was vice president of communications for We R Food Safety, a food safety software and consulting company.