Howard Schultz-Backed Pet Food Maker Open Farm Eyes Toronto IPO

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It’s another to turn it into a $1 billion company. That’s what Isaac Langleben and Jacqueline Prehogan might accomplish by going public with Open Farm Inc.Author of the article: You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.(Bloomberg) — It’s one thing for life partners to start a business together. It’s another to turn it into a $1 billion company. That’s what Isaac Langleben and Jacqueline Prehogan might accomplish by going public with Open Farm Inc.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountThe couple’s business got its start when they adopted two pugs and went searching for high-quality, natural dog food. That sparked the idea for Open Farm, which they founded in 2014 in Toronto and scaled through nutrition consultants, third-party manufacturers and distributors to build a menu of higher-end food products for dogs and cats.The family office of Howard Schultz, the longtime chief executive officer of Starbucks Corp., invested in 2017 along with Encore Consumer Capital, then General Atlantic LP led a $65 million funding round in 2020.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againNow the company is working toward a potential initial public offering in Canada. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Royal Bank of Canada have been tapped to lead it, according to people familiar with the matter.Open Farm considered listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange earlier this year, but opted to wait for a more favorable environment for consumer stocks. The company had annual sales of more than C$400 million ($285 million) as of the end of June, and plans to raise as much as C$400 million in an offering, the people said, speaking on condition they not be identified discussing private matters. The expected valuation may be between C$1 billion and C$2 billion. “We’re still growing 25% year over year,” said Open Farm CEO Langleben, a former lawyer and business consultant. “If you deliver a great consistent product that pets do well on, it’s very, very sticky. People never change the food.”Open Farm sells its products in over 9,500 stores in North America after inking a partnership with PetSmart, and its website is about to get a new artificial intelligence tool to help shoppers. Approximately 85% of its sales come from the US. Since all of the production and distribution is outsourced, the firm has only 130 employees, and it reached profitability early on.Langleben declined to provide any financial details on a potential IPO and said staying private is still an option. But the firm is looking to expand in international markets and to provide a monetization path for early investors and employees. “There’s just really tremendous runway for the brand and future growth,” he said.Stephens Inc. consumer stocks analyst Jim Salera said there are “opportunities for unique brand positioning” in the overall food market. Younger generations are seeking healthier food for themselves, but also their pets — even if it’s pricier. “We continue to see big adoption and conversion from traditional dry dog food to the upscale either wet or dry,” he said, citing a broader trend toward the humanization of pets. “We’ve seen a lot of engagement from consumers” with brands like Freshpet and The Farmer’s Dog.This advertisement has not loaded yet.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Still, that doesn’t guarantee success. Freshpet Inc. — a company with a similar product offering to Open Farm, but with its own manufacturing capacity — went public in 2014 and has generated more than 12% annual returns for holders since then. But its market capitalization has tumbled since peaking around $8 billion in 2021. Like many consumer products manufacturers, Freshpet was hit with supply chain shocks and inflation during and after the Covid pandemic, along with new competition. Open Farm makes a promise on its website to have a “comprehensive farm animal welfare standards” for all of the animals in the supply chain, and “ambitious commitments across regenerative agriculture, carbon emissions, and packaging recyclability.” Langleben said he expects that strategy will sit well with shareholders and capital markets. “We really, really fundamentally believe that the mission and purpose are so intertwined with how we differentiate,” he argued. “When we’re talking to investors, it’s something we’re very out-front about because we just view it as so core.” Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.