MBC Companies acquires Alpha Foods
The acquisition grows the company's presence in the frozen pizza category.
Courtesy of MBC Companies
MBC Companies, a diversified frozen foods company, today announced the acquisition of Alpha Foods, a family-owned frozen pizza manufacturer based in Waller, TX. The partnership expands MBC’s manufacturing footprint, accelerates product innovation, and strengthens its ability to serve customers nationwide across multiple channels.
MBC is a portfolio company of Entrepreneurial Equity Partners (e2p), a Chicago-based private equity firm focused on investments in the food, beverage, and pet industries.
Founded in 1984 by Greek immigrants George and Athena Sarandos, Alpha has grown from a regional foodservice distributor into a national producer of frozen pizzas and pizza components. The company serves institutional and retail customers, including K-12 schools, national grocery chains, and leading consumer packaged goods brands.
“The due diligence process was almost like looking in a mirror,” says Jeff Ahlers, CEO of MBC Companies. “Alpha and MBC share so much in common, from our strong family-focused culture to our commitment to quality, safety, and customer service. Together, we will be well-positioned to deliver even greater value to our customers and create new opportunities for our employees.”
Headquartered in McDonald, TN, MBC manufactures a wide range of frozen breakfast and lunch products for foodservice, K-12 schools, private label retail, convenience stores, and quick-service restaurants. The company operates three large-scale production facilities in Lebanon, PA and Wilkes-Barre, PA. The Alpha acquisition marks MBC’s second major investment in the pizza category, following its January 2025 acquisition of Nardone Brothers Baking. Together, these moves position MBC as a one-stop solution for frozen meals across all dayparts—from breakfast to lunch to late-night dining.
“My husband George is deeply committed to securing Alpha Foods' legacy and the futures of those who helped us build the company over the past 41 years,” says Alpha Foods co-founder Athena Sarandos. “While many firms wanted to buy our company, the best path forward was to combine with a company that shares our values, understands our business, and protects what our people have built. I believe that with MBC, we have found a perfect match.”
“We want to thank the Sarandos family for building such a strong values-based business and trusting us as their partner,” says Keith Lindsey, executive partner at e2p and chairman of MBC Companies. “We are excited to continue that legacy, help Alpha thrive as part of the MBC family, and continue to deliver great products to our customers.”
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
MBC is a portfolio company of Entrepreneurial Equity Partners (e2p), a Chicago-based private equity firm focused on investments in the food, beverage, and pet industries.
Founded in 1984 by Greek immigrants George and Athena Sarandos, Alpha has grown from a regional foodservice distributor into a national producer of frozen pizzas and pizza components. The company serves institutional and retail customers, including K-12 schools, national grocery chains, and leading consumer packaged goods brands.
“The due diligence process was almost like looking in a mirror,” says Jeff Ahlers, CEO of MBC Companies. “Alpha and MBC share so much in common, from our strong family-focused culture to our commitment to quality, safety, and customer service. Together, we will be well-positioned to deliver even greater value to our customers and create new opportunities for our employees.”
Headquartered in McDonald, TN, MBC manufactures a wide range of frozen breakfast and lunch products for foodservice, K-12 schools, private label retail, convenience stores, and quick-service restaurants. The company operates three large-scale production facilities in Lebanon, PA and Wilkes-Barre, PA. The Alpha acquisition marks MBC’s second major investment in the pizza category, following its January 2025 acquisition of Nardone Brothers Baking. Together, these moves position MBC as a one-stop solution for frozen meals across all dayparts—from breakfast to lunch to late-night dining.
“My husband George is deeply committed to securing Alpha Foods' legacy and the futures of those who helped us build the company over the past 41 years,” says Alpha Foods co-founder Athena Sarandos. “While many firms wanted to buy our company, the best path forward was to combine with a company that shares our values, understands our business, and protects what our people have built. I believe that with MBC, we have found a perfect match.”
“We want to thank the Sarandos family for building such a strong values-based business and trusting us as their partner,” says Keith Lindsey, executive partner at e2p and chairman of MBC Companies. “We are excited to continue that legacy, help Alpha thrive as part of the MBC family, and continue to deliver great products to our customers.”
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Related: MBC Companies acquires frozen pizza products company
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