The FoodGroup  
Food and Agribusiness Acquisition Consulting Services Since 1992
                                         Michael Cooper, President & CEO

                                                                               Michael@foodexecs.com

                                                                                          602-510-6633

About Us

M&A Process—from target identification thru completed purchase:

Our experienced team can assist you in identifying and contacting prospective clients professionally from an unbiased third party approach that puts target companies at ease—we talk with our network frequently and often are trust advisors.


Valuation and Analysis Expertise:

We understand the marketplace and valuation approaches.  With close connections to the market and recent transactions, we have a perspective on multiples and alternative approaches for securing value.  We are experts at managing the negotiations process.


Financing and Deal Structure:

We have worked with all major financial institutions in securing various creative financing alternatives including various forms of senior debt, term debt, bonds and stock offerings for both public and private companies.

FoodGroup – Samples of projects/expertise

 

  • Small Further Processor:  Led the process to evaluate and acquire a poultry further processor in West Virginia (Advantage Foods), successfully acquiring 25% of the company initially, followed by a complete buyout 4 years later.

  • Medium-sized, Family-Owned Poultry Company:  Assisted in the evaluation of several small poultry companies on behalf of a client seeking growth through acquisition.  Completed the evaluation of internal strategies, capacity for financing and evaluated four alternatives – engaged prospective lenders, visited facilities and introduced parties.

  • Large Company Acquirer:  Led the successful acquisition process of a medium-sized ($200 million) foodservice company based in Tennessee (Gol Pak, Inc.) on behalf of a multi-billion dollar buyer.  Worked with internal team to develop overall BD strategies, listed and prioritized potential prospects, evaluated prospects, identified potential value (synergies and growth opportunities) for the acquirer, completed preliminary valuations, establish a purchase price range, engaged prospects with a nonbinding letter of interest, arranged/coordinated the due diligence process, completed final valuation discussions internally, negotiations with prospect, financing with lenders and closing the deal.


  • General Industry Expertise:  Provided leadership as one of a two person equity committee, appointed by the US Bankruptcy Court in the Northern District of Texas, to represent and defend the value of equity in the stock of a large public company that resulted in retaining value for the minority shareholders and emerging from bankruptcy to become one of the strongest, largest and most profitable companies in the poultry industry

 

Other relevant examples: 

 

Led the business development – target identification, valuation, early talks with prospect and financing of the following companies on behalf of acquirers:

 

  • Marie Calendar’s Pie Shops
  • Restaura, a German foodservice company with operations in Brussels
  • Purex Household & Laundry Products Company
  • 20-Mule Team Borax
  • Ellio’s Pizza Company
  • Pierce Foods
  • Deluca Foods
  • Several Burger King Franchises
  • Plant/complex facilities valuations
  • Various alliances, joint ventures and partnerships

 

Expertise:

 

  • Served as a board member/audit chairman for a large public US domestic poultry company
  • Past member of the board of directors for one of the top four branded chicken companies
  • Past President, EVP, SVP of large companies in the food industry
  • Past Chief Financial Officer for three industry leading food and consumer products companies
  • Prior CEO of a Branded Natural Beef Company
  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA) – Arizona, Virginia and Maryland (inactive)
  • Certified Global Management Accountant (CGMA) by the AICPA (active)
  • MBA, Finance, BS Marketing, WP Carey School of Business, Arizona State University