Italian pasta company Barilla Group has finalised an agreement to acquire Goodles, a California-based producer of boxed macaroni and cheese products, for an undisclosed amount.
Under the terms of the transaction, Goodles will maintain its headquarters in Santa Cruz, California, and operate as an independent standalone brand.
The company will retain its workforce, with co-founder and CEO Jen Zeszut remaining at the helm, while preserving operational autonomy regarding its product formulations, sourcing, and marketing strategies.
Founded in 2020 as Gooder Foods Inc, Goodles manufactures nutrient-dense variants of traditional pasta dishes distributed across US retail chains.
The acquisition provides the brand with global supply chain infrastructure to expand its international distribution.
Guido Barilla, chairman of Barilla Group, said that the acquisition aligns with the family-owned group’s broader portfolio strategy, which includes pasta, sauces, and bakery categories across more than 100 markets.
“We had been following Goodles closely for some time and became increasingly impressed by the strength of the brand, the quality of its products, and the momentum behind its growth,” said Barilla.
“As we got to know the management team, led by Jen Zeszut, we were equally impressed by the strength of the organisation, its unity, and its forward-looking mindset,” he added.
The transaction remains subject to customary regulatory approvals.
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