 | This article needs to be updated.(February 2024) |
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Headquarters | London, England |
| Products | Snack foods |
Metcalfe's Food Company was a privately owned food business founded in 2009 by Julian Metcalfe, the founder of the sandwich chain, Pret A Manger, and Robert Jakobi. Metcalfe's Food Company sold products under two brands Metcalfes Skinny and Itsu Grocery. [1]
The company was acquired in 2024 by SpartanNash, a food solutions company. [2]
Julian Metcalfe founded Metcalfe's Food in 2009 as a way to sell popcorn and healthier food snacks to food service outlets. A year later Robert Jakobi joined the company as managing director. [3]
Robert Jakobi introduced chocolate covered edamame to the United Kingdom market in 2010 and sold them initially under his own ‘Pod bites’. [4] He sought a bigger platform for the product and merged ‘Pod bites’ into Metcalfe's Food Company and become the managing director in October 2010. [1]
In 2015, the company split into two brands. [5] 'Itsu grocery' became a part of the Itsu business and Metcalfes Skinny became a standalone business. [5]
Kettle Foods acquired a 26% interest in Metcalfe's Skinny in January 2016 and in October of that same year purchased the remaining 74%. [6]
In April 2024, SpartanNash announced it had acquired Metcalfe's. [7]
In December 2013, Metcalfe's Food Company were featured as one of ten ‘Ones to Watch’ in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100. [8] The Fast Track 100 ranks the fastest-growing privately owned companies in the UK. [9]
In April 2014, Robert Jakobi along with Julian Metcalfe were named as London & South finalists for the 2014 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. [10]
In May 2014, Metcalfe's Food Company was announced as one of the winners of The Santander Breakthrough 50 Awards. The awards celebrate the UK's top 50 most exciting fast-growth companies. [11]
In December 2014, Metcalfe's Food Company was ranked at number 4 in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100. [12]
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