Morgan + English is proud to have advised long-term client Beak & Johnston Holdings Pty Ltd (‘B&J Holdings’) on the sale of 100% of its shares to Woolworths Group Limited (‘Woolworths’). B&J Holdings was also a majority shareholder in B&J City Kitchen Pty Ltd (now known as ‘The Kitchenary’) and Beak & Johnston NZ Pty Ltd (now known as ‘The Kitchenary NZ’). Completed on the 2 June 2025, the acquisition brings all three entities and several prominent ready-meal brands under Woolworths’ ownership.
Notably, Beak & Johnston Pty Ltd (‘B&J Greenacre’) remains independent of Woolworths and will continue to run its operations from its Greenacre site in Sydney.
The Deal
The Kitchenary was established in 2017 and has positioned itself as a driver of innovation in the ready-meal category, earning a reputation for its high-quality, convenient food solutions.
The acquisition includes the following brands:
- Strength Meals Co: known for high-protein ready meals
- Pitango: offering soups and health-conscious dishes
- Simmone Logue: renowned for gourmet pies and pastries
- Artisano: specialises in premium soups and sauces
- Pasta Master: focused on chilled lasagne and pasta dishes
Regulatory approval was a key part of the transaction, which underwent extensive review by competition regulators on both sides of the Tasman. Our team worked closely with the group to engage with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (‘ACCC’) and New Zealand Commerce Commission (‘NZCC’), navigating complex competition issues and market dynamics across a range of product categories.
Morgan + English are proud to have assisted in securing positive determinations, with the ACCC finding that Woolworths was unlikely to have the ability or incentive to engage in anti-competitive behaviour post-acquisition. The NZCC reached similar conclusions, clearing the way for the deal to proceed.
Going Forward
B&J Greenacre will continue to independently run its operations from its Greenacre site in Sydney. The core B&J Greenacre business remains focused on the production of premium soups, sauces, and slow-cooked meats and will retain its reputation as a key manufacturer of high-quality food products within Australia.
This has been a landmark transaction for Beak & Johnston Holdings and the group and a significant moment in the evolution of Woolworths’ convenience food strategy. We were delighted to support the group throughout the deal’s lifecycle and congratulate both parties on a successful outcome.
We look forward to watching the next phase of growth for both The Kitchenary and B&J Greenacre and remain committed to supporting their ongoing success.
For more information on the transaction or to discuss how we can assist with similar acquisitions or regulatory matters, please get in touch with Daniel Morgan (daniel@morganenglish.com.au) and the team at M+E today.
