Hormel Foods says its agreement to buy Brakebush Brothers will expand its position in value-added chicken and strengthen its foodservice segment.
Hormel Foods Corporation has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Brakebush Brothers, LLC, a value-added chicken company headquartered in Westfield, Wis., from the Brakebush family.
The transaction is valued at approximately $1.055 billion and is expected to close during the first quarter of Hormel Foods’ fiscal 2027, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval.
Founded in 1925, Brakebush serves national and regional foodservice operators with value-added chicken products. The company generated approximately $1.2 billion in net sales over the last 12 months and operates five production facilities and two research and development labs.
Hormel Foods says the acquisition will meaningfully expand its presence in value-added chicken, a category the company identifies as a growth area within protein. The company also expects Brakebush to strengthen Hormel Foods’ foodservice platform through expanded customer relationships, category expertise, and a larger direct sales organization.
“Brakebush is a highly respected leader in value-added chicken and has earned the trust of customers for more than 100 years through innovation, quality and exceptional relationships,” says Jeff Ettinger, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Hormel Foods. “The company’s talented team, strong culture and differentiated capabilities make it an excellent fit for Hormel Foods. Our industry-leading Foodservice business has been a source of growth, and we are excited to meaningfully expand our presence in value-added chicken.”
Hormel Foods expects the acquisition to generate growth, unlock operational synergies, and enhance cash flows. The company expects the acquisition to be accretive to adjusted earnings per share beginning in fiscal 2028 and expects to report Brakebush’s results primarily in its Foodservice segment.
