Westerville, Ohio, Feb 04 — The Marzetti Company (Nasdaq: MZTI) announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Bachan’s, Inc., the fast-growing Japanese Barbecue Sauce brand known for its delicious, authentic, clean-label products. The transaction reinforces the company’s expanding position in the sauce category and is expected to provide additional opportunities for growth through our retail and foodservice distribution network, the capabilities of our supply chain, and brand support from our marketing capabilities and culinary expertise. Bachan’s net sales for the twelve months ended December 31, 2025, were approximately $87 million. The purchase price for the transaction is $400 million, subject to customary adjustments, and we intend to fund the acquisition with cash on hand and additional financing. The transaction is expected to close prior to our fiscal year end date of June 30, 2026, subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions.
David A. Ciesinski, The Marzetti Company’s CEO, commented, “We are very excited to share our plans to acquire Bachan’s as a strategic extension of our portfolio that will further strengthen our position in the dynamic condiment and sauce category. Bachan’s created its original Japanese Barbecue Sauce from a multi-generational family recipe passed down to its founder, Justin Gill, who has done a tremendous job scaling the brand. Over time, we intend to further broaden distribution, support continued product innovation, and thoughtfully extend the brand into new channels and adjacent categories.”
“This transaction will reinforce Marzetti’s position as a global leader in sauces by adding a premium brand that is exceptionally well aligned with evolving consumer preferences for global flavors and better-for-you products. We look forward to welcoming the Bachan’s team to the Marzetti family!”
Justin Gill, founder and CEO of Bachan’s, remarked, “Over the last several years, building Bachan’s has allowed me to fulfill my childhood dream of bringing my family’s sauce to market. My team and I have been working incredibly hard to deliver on this vision of building the first iconic Japanese-American flavor brand, and I am honored to partner with The Marzetti Company for the next stage of making my vision for Bachan’s a reality.”
“I am not only impressed by Marzetti’s incredible history, portfolio of brands, capabilities and mission – but what has left the most meaningful impression on me is who they are as people. Bachan’s is more than just a business or a brand to me – it is part of my family’s legacy and our brand values are my own personal values, instilled in me by my family. Marzetti is an organization that deeply shares these values, and I am confident they will honor them in this next chapter for Bachan’s. My team and I could not be more excited for our future with Marzetti as our strategic partner and as the new home for Bachan’s.”