Sanfilippo acquires Just the Cheese brand

ELGIN - John B. Sanfilippo & Son Inc. said it has purchased substantially all of the assets of the Just the Cheese brand business from Specialty Cheese Co. Inc. in Reeseville, Wisconsin.

Financial terms of the acquisition were not announced. The acquisition was funded through the company's existing bank credit facility, Sanfilippo said.

Just the Cheese makes baked cheese snack bars and cheese crisps. It primarily competes in the baked cheese snack category, which is currently estimated to be a $100 million annual market, the company said.

Elgin-based Sanfilippo & Son is a processor, packager, marketer and distributor of nut and dried fruit-based products sold under the company's Fisher, Orchard Valley Harvest and other brands, as well as a variety of private brands.

"The acquisition of Just the Cheese, which currently will not have a significant impact on our financial results, will provide us a product that expands our portfolio into new snacking categories. Additionally, the assets and capabilities acquired will be complimentary to our existing product portfolio and are expected to lead to exciting innovation opportunities," said Jeffery T. Sanfilippo, chief executive officer.