Overview
- Barilla has confirmed an agreement to acquire Goodles and said co‑founder and CEO Jen Zeszut will remain leading the business with its current team.
- The companies say the acquisition is meant to accelerate Goodles’ growth but they have not disclosed the purchase price or detailed integration plans.
- Goodles, founded in California in 2020 and based in Santa Cruz, built rapid consumer traction as a premium long‑shelf mac & cheese brand and was reported in 2023 to have a post‑money valuation of $88 million.
- Industry data cited in coverage show Goodles had won a growing share of the U.S. long‑shelf mac & cheese market, a segment estimated at roughly $2.1–2.3 billion in annual spending.
- Analysts and company statements say the deal strengthens Barilla’s U.S. footprint by adding an innovative, premium brand, and key next steps to watch are how distribution, product development, and Goodles’ operational autonomy are handled.