LOS ANGELES — Private equity firm Alliance Consumer Growth, whose investments have included barkTHINS, Way Better Snacks, Evol Foods and Shake Shack, has added Cookie Chips to its portfolio. Founded by Joanne Adirim, Cookie Chips are a brand of thin, bite-sized cookies made from non-bioengineered ingredients that contain no artificial flavors, sweeteners, coloring, preservatives or trans fats.
Cookie Chips are currently sold in conventional and natural grocery stores across the United States and Canada, with plans to significantly expand distribution in the years to come. The cookies are available in single-flavor packs, multi-flavor packs, gluten-free packs and bulk master packs, and come in an assortment of six core flavors (original, chocolate chip, dark chocolate chocolate chip, cinnamon sugar, sea salted peanut butter and oatmeal raisin), three gluten-free flavors (chocolate chip, lemon sugar and ginger), and two seasonal flavors (gingerbread and harvest pumpkin).
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| Joanne Adirim, founder of Cookie Chips |
“We could not be more excited about partnering with ACG,” said Ms. Adirim, founder and chief executive officer of Cookie Chips. “Their passion for our business, as well as their unparalleled track record helping to grow successful food brands make them the ideal partner.”
Trevor Nelson, managing partner at ACG, described Cookie Chips as “an authentic brand, with raving fans, that delivers a premium snacking experience.”
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| Trevor Nelson, managing partner at ACG |
“Joanne has created a craveable, best-in-class product that is bringing real innovation to the cookie and snack aisles,” Mr. Nelson said. “We are thrilled to partner with Cookie Chips to help take the brand through its next phase of growth.”
Financial terms of the investment were not disclosed.
In addition to funding from ACG, Cookie Chips said it has expanded its leadership team. Josie Padilla has been named chief financial officer and chief operating officer. Prior to Cookie Chips, Ms. Padilla was a senior finance and operations executive at The Coca-Cola Co., most recently as the c.f.o. of Zico coconut water.
Frank Zampardi has joined the company as senior vice-president of sales. Mr. Zampardi was a director of sales at Krave Pure Foods and played an integral role in its growth and success, and also was a sales leader at Pirate Brands and Glaceau.
