US importer and distributor Vilore Foods has snapped up Mexican-style food business Tia Lupita Foods.
Financial details were not disclosed.
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Texas-headquartered Vilore Foods distributes Hispanic brands including La Costeña, Jumex and Totis.
In a statement, the company said the deal marks its “official entry into the natural foods space” and “perfectly aligns” with its “mission to bring culturally rich products to modern consumers”.
Edgar Vargas, director of growth and brand development at Vilore Foods, said the deal highlights its Vilore Foods’ “powerhouse expertise in distributing and championing Hispanic food brands in the US market”.
He added: “As more US households seek trusted and authentic culturally connected products, we have kept an eye on the growth and potential of Tia Lupita Foods and believe this partnership will take the brand to the next level.”
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By GlobalDataFounded by Hector Saldivar in 2016, California-based Tia Lupita Foods offers gluten-free, non-GMO and preservative-free products, including hot sauces and grain-free tortilla chips.
Saldivar added Vilore Foods “understands the cultural roots that drive our brand and has the reach and experience to take our products to even more shelves and kitchens across the country”.
In 2023, California-based Tia Lupita Foods gained recognition on US business pitch show Shark Tank, securing investment from Kevin O’Leary.
Since then, the brand has expanded its product range and distribution across the US, Vilore Foods said, adding that with its support, Tia Lupita Foods is set for further growth.
O’Leary said in a statement: “From day one, I believed in your [Hector and the team’s] mission to bring healthier, authentic Mexican flavours to the table, and you delivered.
“You built a brand that resonates with modern consumers while honouring tradition. This acquisition by Vilore Foods is a perfect match and a powerful validation of everything you have worked for.”
Tia Lupita Foods’ products are available at retailers including Whole Foods Market and Target.
The Mexican and, more broadly, Hispanic foods sector in the US has proved attractive to corporate interest in recent quarters.
Perhaps most notably, last October also saw PepsiCo buy Mexican-American snacks maker Siete Foods for a fee of $1.2bn.
