March 15, 2016

Santa Monica, California-based Clearlake Capital Group announced the launch of Better for You Holdings – a new investment platform that will focus on backing emerging brands in the food, health, and wellness sectors. The firm is planning to co-invest in select transactions with food industry veterans Jason Cohen and Leigh Feuerstein of New Jersey-based Helen Brands, a newly formed investment company investing in high-growth segments within the food sector.

Through their partnership, Helen Brands will provide sponsorship and capital, access to its multi-channel sales team, broker networks, market team, and access to its operations and co-packers relationships.

“We are excited to announce that Clearlake will be making significant investments alongside Jason and Leigh to sponsor brands positioned for rapid growth,” said José E. Feliciano and Behdad Eghbali, Co-Founders and Managing Partners of Clearlake in a company statement.

Over the past 15 years, Jason Cohen has been key in creating five food brands within the ‘better for you’ space, including Mamma Says Biscotti, Sensible Portions Veggie Straws, Rickland Orchards Greek Yogurt Snacks, Dippin’ Chips and Mrs. Thinster’s Cookie Thins.

Clearlake Capital has worked alongside Cohen and Feuerstein in various past investments, including in World Gourmet Marketing LLC, maker of the Sensible Portions brand of Garden Vegetable Straws, which was sold to Hain Celestial Group in 2010, and Dippin’ Chips and Mrs. Thinsters’s Cookie Thins.

Through this new partnership, the team has already acquired chocolate, gluten-free snack maker, Rex’s Outrageous last year, and has invested in gluten-free jerky producer, Chef’s Cut.

“With the early investments in Chef’s Cut and Road Crew Crunch, we’re already seeing the value that the Halen Brands platform provides in helping brands accelerate growth. We will continue seeking further investment and partnership opportunities, including at Natural Products Expo West this week,” said Arta Tabaee, who leads Clearlake’s efforts in the food, consumer products and services sectors.