The The Campbell’s Company (NASDAQ: CPB) has announced the completion of its acquisition of a 49% ownership stake in La Regina di San Marzano di Antonio Romano S.p.A. and La Regina Atlantica, LLC, collectively referred to as La Regina. The companies are privately held and are best known as the long-time producers behind Rao’s Homemade tomato-based jarred pasta sauces, a rapidly growing brand within the premium packaged foods segment.
La Regina, headquartered in Scafati, was founded in 1972 by Antonio Romano and has built a strong reputation over decades for producing high-quality, authentic Italian tomato products. The company has been a critical manufacturing and supply partner for Rao’s Homemade since 1993, playing a central role in the development and production of the brand’s signature sauces. Today, La Regina is responsible for producing the full portfolio of Rao’s Homemade tomato-based sauces, maintaining consistency in taste and quality that has become synonymous with the brand.
In addition to its Italian operations, La Regina also operates a manufacturing facility in Alma. This dual-continent production footprint allows the company to efficiently serve both European and North American markets, ensuring reliable supply while preserving the traditional methods and ingredient sourcing that define its products. The Alma facility has become increasingly important as demand for Rao’s Homemade products continues to grow in the United States.
According to Campbell’s leadership, the investment is not merely a financial transaction but a strategic move designed to strengthen a long-standing partnership and safeguard the authenticity of one of its fastest-growing brands. Mick Beekhuizen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Campbell’s, emphasized the importance of maintaining the artisanal quality that has driven Rao’s success.
“Our investment in La Regina and partnership with the Romano family reinforces our commitment to preserving the artisanal craftsmanship of Rao’s sauces,” Beekhuizen said. He highlighted that the brand’s continued momentum is rooted in its distinctive qualities, including exceptional taste, premium ingredients, and the ability to deliver a restaurant-quality dining experience at home. These attributes have helped Rao’s Homemade build strong consumer loyalty and expand its presence in households across key markets.
The transaction further deepens Campbell’s relationship with the Romano family, who have been instrumental in shaping La Regina’s legacy and ensuring the consistent quality of its products. By acquiring a minority stake rather than full ownership, Campbell’s signals its intention to maintain the entrepreneurial spirit and operational independence that have defined La Regina’s success, while also aligning strategic interests for long-term growth.
This investment builds upon Campbell’s broader transformation strategy, particularly following its acquisition of Sovos Brands in 2024. Sovos Brands brought Rao’s Homemade into Campbell’s portfolio, marking a significant expansion into the premium, better-for-you packaged foods category. Since then, Rao’s has continued to deliver strong performance, driven by increasing consumer demand for high-quality, convenient meal solutions that do not compromise on taste or authenticity.
Notably, Rao’s Homemade recently surpassed $1 billion in trailing 12-month net sales, a milestone that underscores its rapid growth and market appeal. This achievement places the brand among Campbell’s elite portfolio of billion-dollar brands, alongside iconic names such as Campbell’s, Goldfish, and Pepperidge Farm. The addition of Rao’s to this group highlights the brand’s significance as a key driver of Campbell’s future growth.
Industry analysts view the acquisition as a strategic move that enhances supply chain integration and strengthens Campbell’s control over a critical component of Rao’s value proposition. By securing a stake in its primary manufacturing partner, Campbell’s can better manage production processes, ensure ingredient quality, and support innovation within the Rao’s product line. This is particularly important in the premium food segment, where authenticity, traceability, and consistency are key differentiators.
Furthermore, the partnership positions Campbell’s to capitalize on growing global demand for premium Italian food products. As consumers increasingly seek out authentic, restaurant-quality meals at home, brands like Rao’s are well-positioned to benefit from these trends. The collaboration with La Regina ensures that Campbell’s can scale production while maintaining the traditional methods and high standards that consumers expect.
The investment also reflects a broader trend within the food industry, where large multinational companies are forming closer partnerships with specialized producers to preserve product authenticity while achieving scale. By aligning with La Regina, Campbell’s gains access to decades of expertise in Italian tomato processing and sauce production, which would be difficult to replicate independently.
Looking ahead, Campbell’s plans to continue investing in the growth of Rao’s Homemade, leveraging both its marketing capabilities and expanded distribution network. The company sees significant opportunities to further penetrate existing markets, introduce new product innovations, and expand into additional international regions.
The completion of this transaction marks another important milestone in Campbell’s ongoing evolution as a diversified food company with a strong presence in both traditional and premium categories. By combining its scale and resources with La Regina’s craftsmanship and heritage, Campbell’s aims to sustain the momentum of Rao’s Homemade and deliver long-term value to consumers and shareholders alike.
For additional information regarding the transaction, Campbell’s has provided further details in its Form 8-K filing submitted on December 9, 2025.
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