Retail food giant buys local Sunshine Coast pie shop

One of Australia’s biggest food groups is acquiring one of the Sunshine Coast’s most beloved family run pie businesses.

Beloved Queensland pie company Beefy’s is set to be sold to a retail food giant for $10 million.

Retail Food Group, which is behind brands such as Gloria Jean’s, Donut King and Brumby’s Bakery, has entered into a conditional Sale & Purchase Agreement to acquire the family run business which started on the Sunshine Coast almost 30 years ago.

After launching its first store in 1997, the brand has now grown to have nine outlets across Queensland, as well as a manufacturing facility on the Sunshine Coast, which employs 180 people.

Beefy’s has also won numerous awards for its pies, including best gourmet gluten-free pie with it steak, bacon and cheese version in the Great Aussie Pie Competition.

“Joining the RFG network will help Beefy’s take the next step in its growth journey as we will become part of a team with many decades of retail experience, as well as benefit from being in a group with a larger balance sheet and access to support functions,” said Beefy’s founder Mark Hobbs.

Mark Hobbs (left) and Matt Marshall have entered an agreement for the acquisition of Beefy's pies.

RFG CEO Matt Marshall said there were a range of factors that attracted RFG to Beefy’s including its loyal customer base, a passionate and capable team, a unique brand proposition, and a commitment to delivering exceptional product quality and guest experiences.

Mark Hobbs will continue in an advisory role at Beefy’s during the first year, while both parties claim it will be business as usual for the company with no immediate changes to the Beefy’s team, business operations or supply partnerships.

There will also be no impact on franchise partner operations across RFG’s existing brands.