Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA-headquartered Palermo Villa, Inc. has purchased the assets of Connie’s Naturals, LLC, a Carol Stream, Illinois-based frozen pizza company. The transaction does not include Connie’s restaurants, which are located throughout Illinois. Terms were not disclosed, but Palermo’s expects to fund the deal with working capital.
With the acquisition, Connie’s frozen pizza becomes part of the Palermo’s brand portfolio, which includes Palermo’s Pizza, P’mo, Screamin’ Sicilian and Urban Pie Pizza Co. Included in the purchase are trademarks for various varieties of Connie’s frozen pizza, which Palermo’s is already manufacturing using the original recipes under an agreement that went into effect last autumn. Palermo’s also provides much of the distribution for Connie’s frozen pizza as part of that same agreement.
“This acquisition helps solidify Palermo’s position as one of the nation’s largest pizza companies,” said Giacomo Fallucca, president and ceo. “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.”
Connie’s frozen pizza is regarded a natural fit for Palermo’s. Both companies are family-owned and were started in the Midwest in the early 1960s by fathers of the current owners. Additionally, each company made its mark in the industry by providing innovative products that have a loyal customer base.
“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, LLC.
As part of the purchase, Palermo’s is introducing new Connie’s frozen pizza packaging and a refreshed Connie’s frozen pizza website with a new URL (www.conniesfrozenpizza.com).
