Hormel to buy Brakebush for about $1.06 billion to expand value-added chicken

Hormel Foods is making a billion-dollar push deeper into value-added chicken. In a Wednesday press release furnished with a Form 8-K, the Austin, Minnesota–based protein company said it signed a definitive agreement to acquire Brakebush Brothers, LLC from the Brakebush family for about $1.055 billion. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of Hormel’s fiscal 2027, subject to customary conditions including regulatory approval.

Brakebush, founded in 1925 and based in Westfield, Wisconsin, is described as a leading non-vertically integrated value-added chicken supplier to national and regional foodservice operators. It generated approximately $1.2 billion in net sales over the last 12 months and operates five production facilities and two research and development labs, according to the release.

Hormel said the purchase advances its strategy of investing in growing protein categories, will expand its value-added chicken position, and is expected to strengthen its Foodservice platform through operator relationships, category expertise, and a larger direct sales organization. Results are expected to be reported primarily in the Foodservice segment. The company said it expects the acquisition to generate growth, unlock operational synergies, and enhance cash flows, and to be accretive to adjusted earnings per share beginning in fiscal 2028.

Interim CEO Jeff Ettinger called Brakebush a fit for Hormel’s Foodservice growth, and president and CEO-elect John Ghingo said chicken has been among the most attractive protein categories and that Brakebush adds scale and customer reach. Wells Fargo is exclusive financial advisor to Hormel; William Blair advised Brakebush, the release said.

By the numbers

• Purchase price: ~$1.055 billion
• Brakebush LTM net sales: ~$1.2 billion
• Facilities: 5 production sites; 2 R&D labs
• Expected close: Hormel fiscal Q1 2027 (subject to approvals)
• Adjusted EPS accretion expected: beginning fiscal 2028
• Reporting segment: primarily Foodservice

Sources

1. Hormel Foods Corporation Form 8-K (Items 1.01, 7.01, 9.01), accepted Sept. 30, 2026 6:45:32 a.m. ET, accession 0001104659-26-112101
2. Hormel Foods Corporation Form 8-K Exhibit 99.1 (press release), accession 0001104659-26-112101

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