Michael Foods Sold

Egg and potato products giant Michael Foods has been sold from one private equity firm to another in a $1.7 billion deal. Thomas H. Lee Partners, which had acquired the company in 2003 for $1.05 billion from the founding Michael family and a pair of investment firms, has now sold a majority stake to GS Capital Partners, a private equity arm of investment banking giant Goldman Sachs. Lee retains a 20-percent stake after the sale.

Michael Foods is a major supplier to both the retail and foodservice channels with brands like All Whites, Better ‘n Eggs and Simply Potatoes. Annual sales are around $1.5 billion.