The Supply Side brief: ConAgra acquires sauce maker Frontera Foods, Red Fork

ConAgra Foods acquired the packaged foods businesses of Frontera Foods and Red Fork that was founded by celebrity chef Rick Bayless and Manny Valdes, CEO of Frontera.

The deal includes the Frontera, Red Fork and Salpica brands gourmet Mexican and contemporary cooking sauces. None of the Frontera-branded restaurants were part of the deal. Financial terms were not disclosed by either party.

“We are excited to add the Frontera, Red Fork and Salpica brands to our portfolio. In particular, the Frontera brand is a preeminent gourmet Mexican food brand in North America,” said ConAgra CEO Sean Connolly. “We believe it provides a tremendous platform off which we can build.”

ConAgra said Bayless and Valdes will continue to support the business. Bayless is the owner of Frontera Grill, Topolobampo and Xoco restaurants in Chicago. He established Frontera Foods in 1996 with Valdes. Frontera Foods makes more than 50 regional Mexican food products.

“In ConAgra, we’ve found people who respect our integrity and uncompromising standards,” Bayless said. “We will continue to make high-quality food with the same standards of excellence and operate with the same values and fresh ingredients that have helped the business to become the premium brands they are today. This is the start of a new era for Frontera, Salpica and Red Fork, and we are thrilled.”

ConAgra operates a large sales office in Northwest Arkansas to service its Walmart business.