Dessert Holdings, headquartered in St. Paul, MN, announced that it has acquired Atlanta Cheesecake Company. Dessert Holdings is the holding company formed by private equity firm Gryphon Investors to house its premium dessert brands platform. Atlanta Cheesecake Company, founded in 1988, is based in Kennesaw, GA. ACC is a respected manufacturer of high-end frozen cheesecakes for in-store bakeries and frozen food sections at prominent grocery and club food stores in North America. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Dessert Holdings plans to operate ACC alongside The Original Cakerie, which Gryphon acquired in December 2015, and Lawler’s Desserts, which Gryphon acquired in July 2016. The Original Cakerie is a leading manufacturer of high-quality frozen desserts for retail and foodservice customers across North America. Lawler’s Desserts is a manufacturer of gourmet cheesecakes, cakes and pies and does business with nationally-recognized restaurant chains, foodservice distributors and major grocery retailers.

Like The Original Cakerie and Lawler’s Desserts, ACC will operate with its own brand and product lines as it continues to serve its customers’ needs. The ACC management team will remain in place and the company will retain its manufacturing facility in Kennesaw.

Dennis O’Brien, Partner at Gryphon, said, “Dessert Holdings is continuing to pursue a strategy of both organic growth and acquisitions, and ACC represents a strong strategic fit for our premium desserts platform. With the cheesecake category growing at approximately four percent annually, driven by premium products, ACC will help Dessert Holdings establish a critical position in this fragmented but exciting market segment. ”

“ACC is a perfect complement to the other companies and brands in our platform, expanding our product offerings, geographic footprint, and retail customer network,” said Paul Lapadat, CEO of Dessert Holdings. "I look forward to working with the ACC team as we continue to build the preeminent premium dessert company for the retail and foodservice industry across North America.”

Meg Sapp, President of ACC, added, “As a family-owned business, it is so important to us that we have the respect of our customers and our community. We are confident that the team at Dessert Holdings shares our values and our commitment to delivering innovative desserts of the highest quality, and we look forward to a partnership that will bring Atlanta Cheesecake Company products to even more people.”