Food Brands Trivest Partners Announces Sale of Young American Food Brands (Miami Beef)
Trivest Partners (“Trivest”), a private investment firm known for its exclusive focus on founder- and family-owned businesses, has announced the successful sale of Miami Beef—now operating as Young American Food Brands (“YAFB” or the “Company”)—to Falfurrias Management Partners, a private equity firm specializing in growth-oriented investments within the middle market. The transaction marks a significant milestone in YAFB’s evolution from a regional meat processor into a diversified, nationally recognized protein platform, while also highlighting Trivest’s strategy of partnering with founders to unlock accelerated growth and long-term value creation.
Founded in 1972 by Michael Young, the business began as Miami Beef, a company rooted in delivering high-quality protein products to a regional customer base. Over the past five decades, the company has steadily expanded, evolving into a dynamic, multi-channel protein supplier serving both retail and foodservice customers across the United States. Today, under the leadership of Michael Young’s sons, the business has rebranded as Young American Food Brands, reflecting its broadened scope, national footprint, and diversified product offerings.
Trivest initially partnered with the Young family in early 2022 through its Trivest Growth Investment Fund (TGIF), a non-control investment vehicle designed to support founder-led companies while allowing them to retain operational and economic control. This approach distinguishes Trivest from many traditional private equity firms, as it emphasizes collaboration rather than control, enabling founders to maintain their entrepreneurial vision while benefiting from institutional resources and strategic guidance.
During the course of the partnership, YAFB experienced a period of robust expansion. This growth was driven by a combination of organic initiatives and strategic acquisitions, positioning the company as a scalable platform within the protein sector. Trivest worked closely with the management team to enhance operational capabilities, broaden the product portfolio, and extend the company’s geographic reach. Notably, YAFB completed four add-on acquisitions during this period, each contributing to increased capacity, product innovation, and market penetration.
In addition to acquisitions, the company focused on strengthening its internal infrastructure and leadership team. Investments were made in systems, processes, and talent to support the company’s transformation into a more institutionalized organization capable of sustaining long-term growth. These enhancements allowed YAFB to operate more efficiently, respond to evolving customer demands, and compete effectively in an increasingly complex and competitive protein market.
Jamie Elias, Managing Partner of the Trivest Growth Investment Fund, emphasized the collaborative nature of the partnership and the progress achieved during the investment period. He noted that Trivest was proud to support the Young family through a transformative phase in the company’s history, helping to scale the business while preserving the core values and culture that had driven its success for more than 50 years. Elias highlighted that the company’s evolution into a larger, more sophisticated platform was a direct result of this alignment between investor and founder.
Jonathan Schonfeld, Principal at Trivest, echoed these sentiments, underscoring the firm’s commitment to deploying its full range of resources to accelerate growth. He pointed to YAFB as a strong example of Trivest’s “Path to 3x” strategy, which focuses on tripling the size or value of portfolio companies through a combination of organic growth, operational improvements, and strategic acquisitions. According to Schonfeld, YAFB’s strong growth trajectory, experienced management team, and proven acquisition capabilities position the company well for continued success under its new ownership.
From the perspective of the Young family, the partnership with Trivest represented a pivotal chapter in the company’s history. Robert Young, Chief Executive Officer of Young American Food Brands, described the collaboration as transformative, noting that Trivest played a critical role in helping the business evolve into an industry disruptor with enhanced scale, capabilities, and leadership. He emphasized that the partnership enabled the company to build a strong foundation for sustained, long-term growth, while maintaining the family’s legacy and commitment to quality.
The acquisition by Falfurrias Management Partners introduces a new phase of growth for YAFB. Known for its focus on partnering with management teams to drive expansion and value creation, Falfurrias brings additional resources and strategic expertise that are expected to further enhance the company’s position in the market. With its established platform, diversified offerings, and national presence, YAFB is well-positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities within the protein and foodservice sectors.
The transaction also reflects broader trends within the food and protein industry, where consolidation and scale are increasingly important for meeting customer demands, managing supply chain complexities, and driving innovation. Companies like YAFB that can combine strong heritage with modern capabilities are particularly well-suited to succeed in this environment.
Jefferies LLC served as the exclusive financial advisor to Young American Food Brands and Trivest Partners in connection with the transaction, providing strategic guidance throughout the sale process. Legal counsel was provided by DarrowEverett LLP, which advised on the structuring and execution of the deal.
Overall, the sale of Young American Food Brands represents a successful outcome for all parties involved. For Trivest, it demonstrates the effectiveness of its founder-focused investment strategy and its ability to deliver meaningful growth within a relatively short period. For the Young family, it marks the culmination of a transformative partnership that has positioned the company for continued success. And for Falfurrias Management Partners, it offers the opportunity to build upon a strong foundation and drive the next phase of expansion for a leading player in the protein industry.
As YAFB moves forward under new ownership, the company is expected to continue leveraging its strengths in product quality, customer relationships, and operational excellence. With a solid platform in place and a clear growth trajectory, Young American Food Brands is poised to remain a key participant in the evolving landscape of the U.S. food and protein market.
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