SIOUX FALLS, S.D., and MILFORD, Iowa —Foodservice manufacturer and distributor Orion Food Systems LLC and Land Mark Products Inc., a Milford, Iowa-based manufacturer of pizza and sandwiches for the retail and restaurant industries, have entered into a merger agreement to create a comprehensive foodservice company. The merger expands Orion's entree and snack portfolio and geographic reach.
The company did not disclose the terms of the transaction, which was backed by One Rock Capital Partners LLC, a New York-based private-equity firm.
Land Mark’s Piccadilly Circus Pizza and Day’N Night Bites products will join Orion's brands of snacks and entrees. Orion’s offerings include Hot Stuff Pizza, Gourmet Grub, Chix Chicken, Chopz, Paavo’s Pizza and Papa Primo’s Italian Kitchen.
“We are delighted to unite two long-standing businesses with such well-known brands in this strategic partnership,” said Frank Orfanello, chairman of Orion. “As a combined business, we will be able to offer a tailored solution to meet the needs of convenience-store operators, from turnkey foodservice franchises that include equipment and post-sale consulting to custom-designed programs for distributors.”
Land Mark owners Jason Farrell and Randy Johnson will be investors in the joint enterprise, along with Land Mark founder Rod Simonson and One Rock. Farrell and Johnson will also continue their respective roles as president and CEO and executive vice president of finance and distribution.
“Joining forces with Orion and expanding our geographic footprint will allow us to serve as a fully comprehensive one-stop shop for convenience-store operators of all sizes and locations,” Farrell said. “We are pleased to provide a broader offering of high-quality products and foodservice solutions to more customers across more markets.”
Orion Food Systems is based in Sioux Falls, S.D., and has an additional facility in Kimball, Tenn.