Hormel Foods Corporation HRL is sharpening focus on growing protein categories as it looks to strengthen the Foodservice business and build a more growth-oriented portfolio. HRL has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Brakebush Brothers, LLC, a leading value-added chicken company, for approximately $1.055 billion.
The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of fiscal 2027. Brakebush generated about $1.2 billion in net sales over the past 12 months. The business operates five production facilities and two research and development labs and serves a broad base of national and regional foodservice operators.
The acquisition is expected to significantly expand Hormel Foods’ presence in value-added chicken while strengthening the Foodservice business. Brakebush brings an established direct sales organization, deep customer relationships, category expertise and additional scale. These capabilities should broaden Hormel Foods’ reach among foodservice operators and support a wider portfolio of value-added protein solutions. Brakebush’s results are expected to be reported primarily within the Foodservice segment.
The deal also builds on an area that has maintained organic net sales growth for Hormel Foods. In the third quarter of fiscal 2026, Foodservice recorded the 12th consecutive quarter of organic net sales growth, with net sales increasing 2% and segment profit rising 3%. Premium prepared proteins, branded pepperoni and Jennie-O turkey were among the significant growth contributors, underscoring the role of value-added protein offerings in the segment’s momentum.
The acquisition is expected to support growth, unlock operational synergies and enhance cash flows, with accretion to adjusted earnings per share beginning in fiscal 2028. More broadly, the deal advances Hormel Foods’ portfolio-shaping strategy by increasing exposure to value-added protein categories and expanding scale in Foodservice.
Hormel Foods’ Share Price Performance
Shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have declined 19.9% over the past three months, underperforming the industry and the broader Consumer Staples sector, which fell 15.8% and 1.9%, respectively. HRL also lagged the S&P 500’s 1.7% rise over the same period.
HRL Stock's Past 3 Months’ Performance
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Is Hormel Foods a Value Play Stock?
Hormel Foods currently trades at a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 12.97 compared with the industry average of 12.74. This valuation places the stock at a premium relative to peers, indicating broader market expectations around its business stability and ability to navigate current cost and demand dynamics.
HRL Valuation Picture
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Stocks to Consider
The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. CHEF distributes specialty food and center-of-the-plate products in the United States, the Middle East and Canada. At present, CHEF flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The consensus estimate for Chefs' Warehouse’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 10.8% and 33.7%, respectively, from the year-ago reported figures. Chefs' Warehouse delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 30.4%, on average.
Luckin Coffee Inc. LKNCY offers retail services of freshly brewed drinks and pre-made food and beverage items in the People's Republic of China. The company currently sports a Zacks Rank of 1. LKNCY delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 6.6%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Luckin Coffee’s current financial-year sales and earnings indicates growth of 33.3% and 40.8%, respectively, from the prior-year reported levels.
Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. LW engages in the production, distribution and marketing of frozen potato products in the United States, Canada, Mexico and internationally, and presently carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy). LW delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 24.6%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Lamb Weston’s current fiscal-year earnings indicates growth of 1.7% from the year-ago numbers.
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