Hearthside Takes Strategic Action to Position Company for Long-Term Growth
November 25, 2024
Source: Businesswire
Enters into Restructuring Support Agreement to significantly reinforce financial foundation through elimination of approximately $1.9 billion of debt and infusion of approximately $200 million of new equity capital at exit
Files voluntary petitions for prearranged Chapter 11 cases to effectuate value-maximizing transaction
Secures commitment for approximately $300 million of debtor-in-possession financing including $150 million of new money to maintain full continuity of operations throughout the process and accelerate the Company’s growth trajectory
November 22, 2024 01:25 PM Eastern Standard Time
DOWNERS GROVE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--H-Food Holdings LLC and certain of its affiliates (“Hearthside” or the “Company”), a leading food contract manufacturer, today announced that it has entered into a global Restructuring Support Agreement (“RSA”) with its key stakeholders that will right size the balance sheet, infuse the business with significant equity capital, and position the Company for significant long-term growth. To consummate the transactions contemplated under the RSA, the Company has filed voluntary petitions for prearranged Chapter 11 cases in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (the “Court”).
This restructuring will allow Hearthside to eliminate more than $1.9 billion of its debt and secure $200 million of new equity capital at exit, which will position Hearthside to best serve its customer base and position it for long-term growth.
“Today’s announcement marks an incredibly important step forward for Hearthside, our valued customers, and our dedicated team as we continue to transform our business for the future,” said Darlene Nicosia, Chief Executive Officer of Hearthside. “With a sustainable capital structure and a significant infusion of new capital to fund our long-term plan, we will be well-equipped to enhance our leadership in the food manufacturing industry as we drive continued innovation and growth. We have taken decisive action across our company to put our past challenges behind us, and are encouraged by the improvement we have already seen in our employee engagement, organizational culture, and ability to deliver best-in-class, quality products and services that our customers can depend on.”
Importantly, the Company enters this process with widespread support throughout its capital structure, including significant majorities of its first lien lenders, second lien lenders, and unsecured noteholders, as well as its equity holders. Hearthside has filed a number of customary “First Day Motions” with the Court to facilitate a smooth transition into Chapter 11 and operate without disruption during the process, including continuing to pay employee wages and benefits, maintaining customer programs, and honoring obligations to vendors.
To fund operations without disruption during the Chapter 11 cases, Hearthside has filed a motion seeking approval of $300 million of debtor-in-possession (“DIP”) financing, including $150 million of new money from existing lenders. Following Court approval, the Company anticipates this financing will provide ample liquidity to support its operations during the Chapter 11 process.
The Company intends to move through this process quickly and emerge from Chapter 11 in the first quarter of 2025. The Company’s Interbake Canada operations are not part of the Chapter 11 filing.
Additional information regarding the Chapter 11 process is available at https://cases.ra.kroll.com/HFS. Stakeholders with questions can contact the Company’s claims agent, Kroll, by calling (888) 510-7189 (U.S. and Canada toll free) or +1 (646) 937-7810 (International) or emailing HFSinfo@ra.kroll.com.
Advisors
Ropes & Gray LLP and Porter Hedges LLP are serving as legal advisors, Evercore Group L.L.C. is serving as investment banker, Alvarez & Marsal is serving as financial advisor, and C Street Advisory Group is serving as strategic communications advisor to the Company.
About Hearthside
Headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, Hearthside Food Solutions is the leading contract manufacturer and producer of baked foods, snacks, and nutrition bars, and a full-service provider of food packaging services for many of the world’s premier brands. The company is also the industry’s largest private bakery. Hearthside’s production network includes 28 facilities, with a workforce of approximately 12,100. In 2018 Hearthside was acquired by Charlesbank Capital Partners and Partners Group. For more information on Hearthside Food Solutions, please visit www.hearthsidefoods.com.
Contacts
Media
C Street Advisory Group
Hearthside@thecstreet.com
Files voluntary petitions for prearranged Chapter 11 cases to effectuate value-maximizing transaction
Secures commitment for approximately $300 million of debtor-in-possession financing including $150 million of new money to maintain full continuity of operations throughout the process and accelerate the Company’s growth trajectory
November 22, 2024 01:25 PM Eastern Standard Time
DOWNERS GROVE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--H-Food Holdings LLC and certain of its affiliates (“Hearthside” or the “Company”), a leading food contract manufacturer, today announced that it has entered into a global Restructuring Support Agreement (“RSA”) with its key stakeholders that will right size the balance sheet, infuse the business with significant equity capital, and position the Company for significant long-term growth. To consummate the transactions contemplated under the RSA, the Company has filed voluntary petitions for prearranged Chapter 11 cases in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (the “Court”).
This restructuring will allow Hearthside to eliminate more than $1.9 billion of its debt and secure $200 million of new equity capital at exit, which will position Hearthside to best serve its customer base and position it for long-term growth.
“Today’s announcement marks an incredibly important step forward for Hearthside, our valued customers, and our dedicated team as we continue to transform our business for the future,” said Darlene Nicosia, Chief Executive Officer of Hearthside. “With a sustainable capital structure and a significant infusion of new capital to fund our long-term plan, we will be well-equipped to enhance our leadership in the food manufacturing industry as we drive continued innovation and growth. We have taken decisive action across our company to put our past challenges behind us, and are encouraged by the improvement we have already seen in our employee engagement, organizational culture, and ability to deliver best-in-class, quality products and services that our customers can depend on.”
Importantly, the Company enters this process with widespread support throughout its capital structure, including significant majorities of its first lien lenders, second lien lenders, and unsecured noteholders, as well as its equity holders. Hearthside has filed a number of customary “First Day Motions” with the Court to facilitate a smooth transition into Chapter 11 and operate without disruption during the process, including continuing to pay employee wages and benefits, maintaining customer programs, and honoring obligations to vendors.
To fund operations without disruption during the Chapter 11 cases, Hearthside has filed a motion seeking approval of $300 million of debtor-in-possession (“DIP”) financing, including $150 million of new money from existing lenders. Following Court approval, the Company anticipates this financing will provide ample liquidity to support its operations during the Chapter 11 process.
The Company intends to move through this process quickly and emerge from Chapter 11 in the first quarter of 2025. The Company’s Interbake Canada operations are not part of the Chapter 11 filing.
Additional information regarding the Chapter 11 process is available at https://cases.ra.kroll.com/HFS. Stakeholders with questions can contact the Company’s claims agent, Kroll, by calling (888) 510-7189 (U.S. and Canada toll free) or +1 (646) 937-7810 (International) or emailing HFSinfo@ra.kroll.com.
Advisors
Ropes & Gray LLP and Porter Hedges LLP are serving as legal advisors, Evercore Group L.L.C. is serving as investment banker, Alvarez & Marsal is serving as financial advisor, and C Street Advisory Group is serving as strategic communications advisor to the Company.
About Hearthside
Headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, Hearthside Food Solutions is the leading contract manufacturer and producer of baked foods, snacks, and nutrition bars, and a full-service provider of food packaging services for many of the world’s premier brands. The company is also the industry’s largest private bakery. Hearthside’s production network includes 28 facilities, with a workforce of approximately 12,100. In 2018 Hearthside was acquired by Charlesbank Capital Partners and Partners Group. For more information on Hearthside Food Solutions, please visit www.hearthsidefoods.com.
Contacts
Media
C Street Advisory Group
Hearthside@thecstreet.com