MBC Companies (MBC), a leading diversified frozen foods company, has announced the acquisition of Alpha Foods (Alpha), a family-owned frozen pizza manufacturer based in Waller, Texas. The transaction represents a significant step in MBC’s long-term growth strategy, broadening its manufacturing footprint, enhancing product innovation, and bolstering its ability to serve customers nationwide across retail, foodservice, and institutional channels.
MBC is a portfolio company of Entrepreneurial Equity Partners (e2p), a Chicago-based private equity firm specializing in food, beverage, and pet industry investments. The firm has developed a strong track record of supporting growth-oriented businesses in highly fragmented sectors, and its continued backing underscores MBC’s ambitions to emerge as a dominant player in the frozen meals category.
A Shared Legacy of Family Values and Quality
Alpha Foods brings more than four decades of heritage to MBC. The company was founded in 1984 by George and Athena Sarandos, Greek immigrants who began the business as a small regional foodservice distributor. Over the years, the Sarandos family steadily expanded operations, eventually transforming Alpha into a respected national producer of frozen pizzas and pizza components. Today, Alpha supplies a wide range of customers, from K-12 school systems and national grocery chains to leading consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands across the United States.
The company’s journey has been defined by an unwavering focus on quality, family culture, and customer trust. That philosophy strongly resonates with MBC’s own values, making the partnership a natural fit.
“The due diligence process was almost like looking in a mirror,” said Jeff Ahlers, CEO of MBC Companies. “Alpha and MBC share so much in common, from our strong family-focused culture to our commitment to quality, safety, and customer service. Together, we will be well-positioned to deliver even greater value to our customers and create new opportunities for our employees.”
Building a Coast-to-Coast Manufacturing Network
Headquartered in McDonald, Tennessee, MBC produces a wide range of frozen breakfast, lunch, and snack items for customers across foodservice, retail private label, convenience stores, and quick-service restaurants. The company operates large-scale facilities in Lebanon and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and Alpha’s Waller, Texas plant adds both capacity and geographic diversity to its manufacturing base.
This acquisition marks MBC’s second major move into the pizza category in 2025, following its purchase of Nardone Brothers Baking earlier this year. With the addition of Alpha’s capabilities, MBC now offers a comprehensive portfolio of frozen products that cover every eating occasion—from breakfast sandwiches and handheld entrees to lunch and dinner pizzas and late-night snacks.
The combined operations will allow MBC to better serve national customers seeking a one-stop solution, streamline logistics with a broader manufacturing network, and accelerate new product development to meet the shifting demands of consumers.
Protecting Alpha’s Legacy
For Alpha’s leadership, choosing the right partner was about more than financial strength. Co-founder Athena Sarandos emphasized that MBC’s culture and vision aligned closely with her family’s priorities.
“My husband George was deeply committed to securing Alpha Foods’ legacy and the futures of those who helped us build the company over the past 41 years,” said Sarandos. “While many firms wanted to buy our company, the best path forward was to combine with a company that shares our values, understands our business, and protects what our people have built. I believe that with MBC, we have found a perfect match.”
Her comments highlight the personal nature of the decision. By partnering with MBC, Alpha not only gains the scale and resources necessary to compete in an increasingly consolidated frozen foods sector but also ensures continuity for its employees, customers, and community.
Strategic Backing from Entrepreneurial Equity Partners
The acquisition was supported by Entrepreneurial Equity Partners (e2p), which has been instrumental in driving MBC’s growth since first investing in the company.
“We want to thank the Sarandos family for building such a strong values-based business and trusting us as their partner,” said Keith Lindsey, Executive Partner at e2p and Chairman of MBC Companies. “We are excited to continue that legacy, help Alpha thrive as part of the MBC family, and continue to deliver great products to our customers.”
Lindsey emphasized that e2p’s strategy has always been about identifying companies with strong foundations and helping them scale through operational excellence, innovation, and smart acquisitions. Bringing Alpha into the MBC fold aligns perfectly with that playbook.
Meeting Evolving Consumer Needs
The frozen food sector has seen a resurgence in recent years, fueled by shifting consumer lifestyles and growing demand for convenient, high-quality meal options. According to industry reports, frozen pizza remains one of the largest and most resilient categories within the frozen aisle, appealing to both families and younger consumers seeking quick meal solutions.
By integrating Alpha’s pizza expertise with MBC’s diversified platform, the company is well-positioned to capitalize on these trends. Its expanded portfolio now spans:
- Frozen breakfast items for school programs, retail, and quick-service restaurants.
- Private-label products for grocery retailers seeking affordable, high-quality options.
- Frozen pizzas and pizza components for institutional, retail, and CPG customers.
- Snack and handheld meal solutions designed to meet the needs of today’s on-the-go consumers.
