CHARLOTTE, NC. – Benestar Brands, a manufacturer of pork rinds, tortilla chips and pretzel bread products, announced the acquisition of San Francisco-based 4505 Meats, which specializes in the production of pork rinds and other protein-based snacks. Benestar, the parent company behind pork rind brands that include Mac’s, Porq and Turkey Creek, tortilla chips under the Chicas and Cazo de Oro brands and Pretzilla pretzel bread products, was founded in 1947 and operates six production plants in the United States and one in Mexico. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Founded about 13 years ago by Ryan Farr, a butcher, chef, restaurateur and author, 4505’s retail-focused products are keto friendly, paleo certified and made from humanely raised pork that is antibiotic free. Farr hired Erik Havlick as chief executive officer of the company in late 2021. The innovative company recently launched 4505 Butcher’s Snacks, including a line of protein-rich, premium sausage snacks.

“We are very excited to be partnering with Ryan, Erik and the rest of the 4505 team,” said Bruce Myers, president of Benestar Brands, a subsidiary of Dallas-based private equity firm Highlander Partners.  “4505 has quickly established itself as one of the most innovative and exciting brands in the salty snack industry."

"When we created Benestar, we established an active M&A platform in the salty snack space targeting brands with exceptional growth prospects, unique products and strong brand equity, said Jeff Hull, president and CEO of Highlander Partners. “4505 fits these criteria perfectly and we are thrilled to welcome 4505 into Benestar."

Jeff Partridge, executive chairman of Benestar and a partner at Highlander, said, "4505 created the premium pork rind category and established better-for-you standards that previously didn't exist. This addition to our portfolio of brands couldn't be a more appropriate fit.”

“Teaming up with Benestar Brands and Highlander Partners represents an exciting new chapter for 4505 Meats and is perfectly timed at an inflection point for our brand,” Farr said. “We believe that joining Benestar Brands will enable 4505 to accelerate even faster as a leader in premium snacks.”