MBC Companies, a portfolio company of Entrepreneurial Equity Partners (E2P), has acquired Alpha Foods, a family-owned frozen pizza manufacturer.
MBC Companies is a manufacturer and distributor of frozen breakfast and pizza products serving foodservice, private label retail, K–12 schools, convenience stores, and quick-service restaurants. The company’s product portfolio includes frozen sandwiches, French toast sticks, breakfast wraps, and pizza items.
Source: MBC Companies
MBC, led by CEO Jeff Ahlers, was formed in 2022 through the merger of Murry’s Inc., a Pennsylvania-based maker of frozen breakfast food, and Bake Crafters, a Tennessee-based maker of bread and pizza items. E2P acquired MBC in July 2023 from Encore Consumer Capital. In January 2025, MBC added on with the buy of Nardone Brothers Baking, a Pennsylvania-based frozen pizza maker.
Alpha Foods is a manufacturer of frozen pizzas and pizza components, supplying foodservice and retail customers across the United States. Its product offerings include frozen pizzas for institutional foodservice, custom pizza crusts, and branded or private label frozen pizzas. Customers of Alpha include K–12 schools, major grocery retailers, and branded consumer packaged goods companies.
Source: Alpha Foods
Family-owned Alpha Foods, led by President Matt Sarandos, was founded in 1984 by George and Athena Sarandos and is headquartered northwest of Houston in Waller, Texas.
“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 Ms. 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.”
“The due diligence process was almost like looking in a mirror,” said Jeff Ahlers, the 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.”
MBC is headquartered 25 miles east of Chattanooga in McDonald, Tennessee, and operates three production facilities in Pennsylvania (2) and, with the close of the Alpha Foods acquisition, Texas (1).
“We want to thank the Sarandos family for building such a strong values-based business and trusting us as their partner,” said Keith Lindsey, an executive partner at E2P and the chairman of MBC. “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.”
Chicago-based E2P makes control-oriented investments of $25 million to $150 million in companies that have revenues of at least $50 million and at least $5 million in EBITDA. Sectors of interest include established food and beverage products and brands, private label and contract manufacturing, foodservice, and consumer packaged goods. E2P closed its second fund, Entrepreneurial Equity Partners II LP, with $546 million in capital in May 2024.
MBC Companies, a portfolio company of Entrepreneurial Equity Partners (E2P), has acquired Alpha Foods, a family-owned frozen pizza manufacturer.
“The due diligence process was almost like looking in a mirror,” said Jeff Ahlers, the 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.”
“We want to thank the Sarandos family for building such a strong values-based business and trusting us as their partner,” said Keith Lindsey, an executive partner at E2P and the chairman of MBC. “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.”
Chicago-based 
