MILWAUKEE — Palermo Villa, Inc., a frozen pizza manufacturer based in Milwaukee, has acquired the assets of Connie’s Naturals, L.L.C., a Carol Stream, Ill.-based frozen pizza company. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Following the acquisition, Connie’s frozen pizza will become part of the Palermo’s family of brands, which includes Palermo’s Pizza, P’mos, Screamin’ Sicilian and Urban Pie Pizza Co.
The companies said the acquisition includes trademarks for various varieties of Connie’s frozen pizza, which Palermo’s already is manufacturing using the original recipes under an agreement that went into effect last fall. Palermo’s also provides much of the distribution for Connie’s frozen pizza as part of that same agreement. The transaction does not include Connie’s restaurants, which are located throughout Illinois.
“This acquisition helps solidify Palermo’s position as one of the nation’s largest pizza companies,” said Giacomo Fallucca, president and chief executive officer of Palermo Villa, Inc. “Adding Connie’s to our offerings expands our footprint in the Midwest and particularly in Chicago, one of the biggest frozen pizza markets in the country. And, of course, it will further strengthen our business in a highly competitive industry.”
In addition to its branded products, Palermo’s is a major producer of premium private label frozen pizza for the retail and club industries.
Both Palermo and Connie’s Frozen Pizza are family-owned companies that were started in the Midwest in the early 1960s by the fathers of the current owners.
“We’re confident that Palermo’s will continue to make Connie’s frozen pizza with the quality and passion that my family has for decades,” said Marc Stolfe, president of Connie’s Naturals, L.L.C.
As part of the purchase, Palermo’s said it is introducing new Connie’s frozen pizza packaging and a refreshed Connie’s frozen pizza web site with a new web address (www.conniesfrozenpizza.com).
