Focus Brands announced August 2 it has entered into a definitive merger agreement to purchase Jamba Juice for $13 per share in cash, or about $200 million. Jamba Juice, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Jamba Juice Company, operates more than 800 locations worldwide.
Under terms of the deal, a subsidiary of Focus Brands will commence a tender offer to purchase all of the outstanding shares of Jamba common stock. Upon completion, Focus Brands would acquire all remaining shares not tendered in the offer through a merger at the same price as in the tender offer. Expected to close during the third quarter of 2018, the deal would make Jamba a privately held subsidiary of Focus Brands. The companies said in a release that Jamba would continue to be operated as an independent brand.
“Benefiting from an extremely loyal customer base and strong franchise operators, Jamba Juice is one of the category leaders in the fast growing smoothie and juice category,” Steve DeSutter, CEO of Focus Brands Inc., said in a statement. “We are excited to welcome Jamba Juice with such an iconic heritage into our family of well-known and highly loved ’fan favorite’ brands.”
Focus, majority owned by affiliates of Atlanta-based private-equity firm Roark, runs more than 5,000 locations across its Carvel, Cinnabon, Schlotzsky’s, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Auntie Anne’s, and McAlister’s Deli brands, as well as Seattle’s Best Coffee on certain military bases an in certain international markets.
“We are delighted to have reached this agreement with Focus Brands and are confident that it will result in a positive outcome for our guests, our franchisees and our employees,” added Dave Pace, CEO of Jamba, Inc., in a statement. “Over the last few years, we have worked hard to strengthen our foundation and reposition this iconic brand for the future. Partnering with Focus Brands will allow us to build on this work and further accelerate the company’s growth.”
Jamba is known for its freshly blended whole fruit and vegetable smoothies, bowls, juices, cold-pressed shots, boosts, snacks, and meal replacements.
In mid-July, Jamba said it was gearing up for a big expansion east of the Rocky Mountains, specifically the east coast.
