December 10, 2018, Baton Rouge, LA – Lafayette, LA based prepared meal business Good Eats Kitchen announces its acquisition of Fresh Kitchen’s two retail store locations in Baton Rouge. The financial terms of the deal are not being disclosed, however in addition to the two retail stores, Good Eats Kitchen is also acquiring Fresh Kitchen’s branding and recipes for many of Fresh Kitchen’s most popular meals. Good Eats Kitchen will also retain many of Fresh Kitchen’s employees.
The acquisition comes on the heels of Good Eats Kitchen’s soft opening of their first Baton Rouge location, which opened in late November at Ichiban Square at the corner of Essen and Perkins. This newly opened store features a beautifully designed store front and will also function as a distribution hub for Good Eats Kitchen as it grows its presence in the Baton Rouge Market.
Good Eats Kitchen was founded in the home of owner Boyer Derise in January of 2016 as a simple promise to help his sister stay “dress ready” for her wedding. The business legitimized with the opening of its first retail location and production kitchen in Lafayette’s Oil Center in 2017. Good Eats Kitchen focuses on fresh, healthy, and chef-crafted meals. According to Boyer, “Good Eats Kitchen’s mission is to enrich the lives of the people and communities in which we operate”. Good Eats Kitchen also offers its ready to eat meals through direct to consumer deliveries from Baton Rouge to Lake Charles twice weekly.
Fresh Kitchen was co-founded by Ryan McNeil and Chef Daniel Dreher in 2014 when it opened its first retail store location on Corporate Blvd in August of that year. Fresh Kitchen opened its second location one year later at The Villages of Willow Grove off Perkins Rd. “We were eager to open more locations in and around Baton Rouge, but every time we tried, the doors kept closing on us”, said Ryan McNeil. “It was becoming obvious that God had other plans for us, so we began seeking His calling and that’s how we met Boyer and his father Bill. From the get-go, it was clear that meeting had a divine marking on it”. After the meeting, the two companies began working up the terms of the acquisition which was completed in early December.
“It’s a bittersweet situation to say the least. We have been tremendously blessed by the support and loyalty of this community and our staff over the past four and half years”, says Ryan McNeil. “We honestly didn’t know what to expect when we started this business. Our goal was to provide good, clean, and healthful foods to the masses and we certainly accomplished that, but we were also able to positively impact the livelihoods of so many. We have gotten to know so many people. We have laughed, cried, and prayed with customers on so many occasions. That is something I am most thankful for and it’s also something that will carry on with the Good Eats Kitchen team as they care the same”, concluded Ryan.
The transition of Fresh Kitchen’s store operations and product line is expected to take two-to-three months to fully complete, however the retail stores will remain open during the transition. Good Eats Kitchen plans to eventually merge the two brands into one as it integrates many of Fresh Kitchen customers favorites into their menu.
”I am looking forward to taking the best of Fresh Kitchen and marrying that with the best of Good Eats Kitchen. The resulting company will represent the best of two great young brands”, said Boyer. “GEK offers truly fresh, clean meals and some of the industry leading healthy snack and beverages in our pantry. We will continue to bring many new fun and exciting foods, snacks, and customer focused programs to the customers of Fresh Kitchen.”