Chris Freney, together with a group of co-investors, acquired Sunnybrand Chickens, a vertically integrated Australian chicken processing and marketing company for an undisclosed sum. A broiler farm was vended into Sunnybrand as part of the transaction.

Founded in 1972, Sunnybrand currently processes 300,000 fresh chickens per week and has commenced its capacity expansion program.

Sunnybrand has implemented its own breeder operation (producing fertile eggs) and hatchery (producing day-old chicks). The grow-out is contracted to a group of broiler operators. It also owns and operates a poultry processing facility and markets its chickens to the major retailers and independents on the Eastern seaboard of Australia.

Tolhurst InterFinancial, acted as lead advisor in this complex transaction. Our role included determining deal structure, coordinating due diligence process, raising debt and equity, negotiation and final documentation (including shareholders agreement).