Crave Better Foods, LLC, maker of Chipwich ice cream cookie sandwiches, on November 10 announced the acquisition of the Solero organic fruit bar business from Iris Brands, LLC into its operations. The combined enterprises will operate out of Crave Better Foods’ home base in Cos Cob, Connecticut, USA.
The transaction will create a partnership between Crave Better Foods and Josh Hochschuler and Steve Gill, the founders of Iris Brands and Talenti Gelato & Sorbetto. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
After their Talenti business was sold, Hochschuler and Gill launched Solero in 2017. With carefully sourced ingredients and innovative flavors, the product line offered a 100% organic experience for frozen fruit bar lovers across the United States and quickly became a leading brand in the category. In addition, Iris continued to innovate with frozen fruit pops and cream bars.
“We are delighted to add the Solero business to our growing company,” said David Clarke, chief executive officer of Crave Better Foods. “When we started Crave and relaunched Chipwich, our premise was there would always be consumer demand for strong brands made with elevated ingredients. Solero is a perfect example. Josh and Steve have built a business based on that same principle with products unique to the frozen novelty business. We are thrilled to be able to market Solero and Chipwich side by side, and in partnership we will leverage our innovative plans for the future. This combination will bring scale and enhanced opportunities in the frozen novelty space.”
“It is with great enthusiasm and optimism that we now become part of the Crave Better Foods Family,” said Hochschuler. “Solero is a young, innovative organic fruit bar brand that will now benefit from a great deal of synergies with a classic, the Original Chipwich. We look forward to joining forces and providing consumers with a best-in-class, delicious frozen treat.”
