Former Fresh Encounter CEO makes frozen food deal

CLEVELAND — Festa Holdings, LLC announced today the acquisition of Pinata Foods, a frozen food manufacturer based in Cleveland. Michael Needler Jr., founder of MSN Companies and former Chairman and CEO of Fresh Encounter, led the acquisition for Festa Holdings and serves as its chairman. Needler Jr. is the former chairman and CEO of Findlay-based Fresh Encounter, Inc., which owns the local Great Scot and Community Markets grocery stores, among others across the region. Of the deal, Needler Jr. said, "For over a quarter-century, Tim and the Fagan family have worked tirelessly to create a forward-facing company that helped pioneer the mainstream adoption of high-quality frozen foods. We believe this company is poised for growth and continued expansion into the emerging food-as-medicine segment by providing delicious tasting, highest quality medically tailored meals that support healthy lifestyles and proactive nutritional chronic disease management." Founded in 1993 by Tim Fagan, Pinata Foods began as a private label and co-packing manufacturer of tortillas and burritos. The company now produces breakfast and entrée meals along with healthier handheld food options, a release from Festa Holdings states. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.