The Buffalo, N.Y., founder of the non-dairy segment of the frozen food industry and a leading global supplier and solutions provider to foodservice and in-store bakeries buys Celebration Foods, which produces and distributes frozen desserts and ice cream cakes.

Buffalo, N.Y.-based Rich Products’ purchase of Celebration Foods, New Britain, Conn., includes all aspects of Celebration’s business, including manufacturing, corporate operations, research and development and its direct-store-distribution (DSD) system. Rich’s will continue to sell Carvel-branded ice cream cakes in certain distribution channels under a license agreement with Carvel Corp., a subsidiary of Focus Brands, Inc. The Carvel brand and franchise business will continue to be owned by Focus Brands.

“Our acquisition of Celebration Foods provides Rich’s with the opportunity to further shape our portfolio and enhance the overall frozen dessert offering we provide to our customers,” says Richard Ferranti, president, North America business group.
 
“Celebration’s current DSD customers should not experience any disruptions or changes to their current business interactions and agreements,” said Ray Burke, president of Rich’s foodservice and in-store bakery divisions. “It will be business as usual.”