Entrepreneurial Equity Partners completed the sale of Furlani Foods to Arbor Investments in early February, marking a quick exit after less than three years. E2P partner Ryan Schweet told PE Hub the decision wasn't tied to a rigid timeline, noting operational goals were achieved faster than anticipated. The Chicago-based PE firm, which focuses exclusively on food and beverage, invested in the Canadian garlic bread and breadstick manufacturer alongside the Kawaja family in May 2023.

Furlani Foods, founded in 1984 and headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, operates four production facilities in Canada and the US. E2P's strategy focused on rapid capacity expansion, which included acquiring Cole's Quality Foods in January 2025. This expanded Furlani's footprint in the custom garlic bread category while addressing growing demand through automation and new production facilities. The firm navigated inflation pressures by improving operational efficiency.

The transaction unfolded without investment bankers after E2P learned of Arbor's interest during a separate meeting. Both firms had maintained a close relationship in the tight-knit food and beverage community. "We wanted to make sure most of the heavy lifting was behind us," Schweet noted regarding the timing after Cole's acquisition. The complete exit for E2P preserves the existing leadership team, with CEO Jonathan Kawaja continuing to lead the company under Arbor's ownership.