Georgia, Atlanta-based HoneyBaked Ham Company has purchased fine food retailer Heavenly Ham, which consists of over 200 franchises in 33 states. HoneyBaked operates approximately 300 stores nationwide.
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The terms of the agreement between the two privately held companies were not disclosed, but both said that they expect to gain several benefits from the deal. HoneyBaked brings strength to the Heavenly system in the areas of operations, cost efficiencies, financial management and brand development. Heavenly Ham, voted top of its category for 11 consecutive years by Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500, offers a successful track record in the area of franchise sales and support as well as a year-round café and catering businesses.
“The acquisition of the Heavenly Ham system will add tremendous fuel to our franchising programme,” said Linda van Rees, CEO of HoneyBaked: “We plan to add a significant number of franchise stores during the next few years and this dramatically strengthens what we can offer – both financially and regionally – to prospective franchisees.”
She added, “Through new resources available, there are many opportunities for Heavenly Ham with this new venture.”
R. Hutchins Hodgson, chairman and CEO of Heavenly, added: “From the beginning of our dialogue with HoneyBaked, it was apparent that there was much to gain from working together, including the potential for Heavenly franchisees to increase their profits by tapping into the resources, skills and support of a larger company.
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By GlobalData“Each company will enjoy the positive efficiencies this combination will produce while maintaining those things our consumers have come to expect from each brand.”
In terms of franchise management, the company will manage the two franchise systems separately because of sales, marketing and consumer considerations. Heavenly’s management team will remain in place with Bucky Cook, president; Wade Brannon, senior VP and Ken Caldwell, senior VP of marketing.
HoneyBaked’s Franchise Company management team will continue to manage its existing system. Kent Smith will remain president of The HoneyBaked Company of Georgia and serve as CEO of The HoneyBaked Franchise Company. Linda van Rees will remain CEO of The HoneyBaked Ham Company as well as serve on the board of The HoneyBaked Franchise Company. Hutch Hodgson, will serve on The HoneyBaked Franchise Company board.
