Flowers Foods to purchase Papa Pita Bakery

Flowers Foods has agreed to acquire Papa Pita Bakery, a manufacturer and distributor of bagels, tortillas, bread, buns, muffins and flatbreads.

Papa Pita operates a 270,000-square-foot facility in West Jordan, Utah. The company’s primary brands include Papa Pita, Great Grains, Bubba’s Bagels and Maya’s Tortillas, and the business is a long-term co-manufacturer of Flowers products.

“Papa Pita began as a family business and is an inspiring example of the American dream. Its leaders have grown the company strategically through product and category expansions,” said Ryals McMullian, president and CEO of Flowers Foods.

Papa Pita will continue to operate out of its Utah facility, bolstering Flowers’ presence in the western US. 

Farzad Mohebbi, president and CEO at Papa Pita, added: “Our success has been a direct result of the dedication of our hard-working team members, their ability to think big about what’s possible and a constant focus on how we can grow. Flowers shares these same traits, making our partnership a great fit.”

The acquisition is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2023, subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions. Flowers plans to fund the transaction with cash and existing credit facilities.