An affiliate of Paceline Equity Partners, LLC (“Paceline”), a Dallas-based private equity firm, has announced a debt investment in Promise Confections through a second lien credit facility. Promise Confections, a portfolio company of Chicago-based private investment firm Promise Holdings, LLC, specializes in private label, branded, and co-manufactured confections and gourmet snacks. Its product line includes chocolate-covered nuts, truffles, candy bars, mints, and other innovative confectionery items. Notable brands under Promise Confections include licensed Girl Scouts products, Salted Nut Roll, Big Hunk, Rocky Road, Abba-Zaba, Dilettante Chocolates, and Myntz! Breathmints.
Sam Loughlin, CEO of Paceline, commented, “We are thrilled to support Promise Confections’ expansion and innovation efforts. With Promise Holdings’ strong pipeline of opportunities, we are eager to leverage our expertise to scale the business and execute its growth strategy in the confectionery and snack sectors.”
Leigh Sansone, CIO of Paceline, added, “This transaction demonstrates Paceline’s capability to provide flexible capital solutions and partner with dedicated sponsors in their respective markets. We are excited to collaborate with Promise Confections to build on its diverse brand portfolio and operational strengths.”
Michael McGee, CEO of Promise Confections, stated, “This credit facility is crucial for our expansion and product innovation. We are dedicated to using this opportunity to enhance our manufacturing capabilities and continue delivering premium confections to our valued customers.”
Gordon Liao and Jackie Brooks of Promise Holdings jointly remarked, “Our investment in Promise Confections reflects our confidence in the company’s potential and its strong leadership. We believe this partnership with Paceline will elevate the company and reinforce its position as a leader in the confectionery industry.”
Since acquiring Annabelle’s Candy Co. in December 2021, Promise Holdings has also completed three additional acquisitions: Edward Marc Brands, Pearson’s Candy Co., and Seattle Gourmet Foods.
Paceline is a Dallas-based private equity manager focused on value-oriented, opportunistic, and special situations investments across corporate credit, private equity, and real assets. Paceline’s senior leadership team has worked together for over 15 years and manages approximately $1.5 billion in equity commitments on behalf of a global investor base. Since inception in 2018, Paceline has deployed over $1.9 billion in total transaction value and built a diversified portfolio of investments.
