Audax Private Equity acquired a controlling interest in Stonewall Kitchen, a provider of branded, specialty food products, from Centre Partners. The company, founded in 1991 and headquartered in York, Maine, consists of the flagship Stonewall Kitchen brand; the Tillen Farms brand of pickled vegetables and cocktail cherries; the Napa Valley Naturals brand of olive oils, culinary oils, balsamic vinegars and wine vinegars; the Montebello brand of artisan organic pasta imported from Italy; and the Legal Sea Foods brand of restaurant-quality seafood sauces and condiments. Stonewall Kitchen will continue to be led by existing management, with John Stiker remaining as the chief executive officer, Lori King as the company’s president and chief operating officer, and Natalie King as executive vice president.
 
Baird acted as exclusive financial advisor to Stonewall Kitchen on the transaction and Greenberg Traurig, LLP acted as legal advisor. Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel to Audax and Sawaya Partners and Lazard acted as buy-side support.

www.stonewallkitchen.com