Apex Capital has acquired a majority stake in Juanita’s Foods, a producer of Mexican food products, in partnership with the founding De La Torre family.
Juanita’s Foods specializes in Mexican canned and packaged foods, offering products such as menudo (a traditional tripe soup), pozole (a hominy and pork stew), hominy (processed corn kernels used in soups and stews), albondigas (Mexican meatball soup), and nacho cheese (a prepared cheese sauce for dipping or topping). The company’s shelf-stable products are distributed to grocery retailers, wholesale clubs, and foodservice providers.
Juanita’s operates a 300,000 sq. ft. headquarters and production facility located south of Los Angeles in Wilmington, California. The company was founded in 1946 (then Harbor Canning Company) by Vicente De La Torre and today is led by CEO Aaron De La Torre.
Through both organic growth and add-on acquisitions, Apex plans to expand Juanita’s Foods into new markets and product categories.
“This partnership strengthens our commitment to expanding Juanita’s into new markets and categories,” said Mr. De La Torre. “Apex Capital brings the expertise and resources needed to support our continued growth while preserving our dedication to our employees and customers. Together, we will drive long-term value and innovation. Our shared belief in putting people at the center and honoring our brand’s legacy will be key to our future success.”
“We are proud to partner with Juanita’s, a brand that deeply resonates with Hispanic consumers in the United States and aligns with our values,” said Pedro Palma, the managing partner of Apex Capital. “This investment is a strong fit with our strategy of nurturing heritage Hispanic brands with high growth potential, guided by a focus on operational excellence and sustainable value creation.”
APEX Capital is an investor in consumer goods companies located across North, Latin, and South America. In April 2024, Apex led the acquisition of The Clorox Company’s operations in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, and renamed the business Grupo Ayudin.
Headquartered near Miami in Coconut Grove, Florida, Apex is the private equity arm of Grupo Mariposa, a privately held and Guatemala-headquartered food and beverage conglomerate that was founded in 1885.
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