Rude Health is a healthy food and dairy-free drinks company best known for its breakfast cereals and alternative milk products.
The business launched in 2005 by husband and wife team Nick and Camilla Barnard. Today its range covers granola, crisps, biscuits, flours, and dairy-free milk alternatives for the home or café.
With a 120% sales increase in its dairy-free drinks products alone over the last three years (which is expected to grow to £18m over the next 12 months), Rude Health has attracted the attention of snacks giant PepsiCo.
The Barnards confirmed this month that in 2019, they privately sold 9% of their combined majority shareholding of Rude Health to PepsiCo Ventures, ‘after successfully growing the brand since 2005’.
For the co-founders, the investment represents an acknowledgement of the company’s 15-years of sustainable growth, “from a start-up, one muesli company, to a thriving and joyful food and dairy-free drinks brand offering a wide range of award-winning cereals, organic dairy-free snacks and drinks”.
As co-founder and majority shareholders, the Barnards retain ‘full control’, they explained, with ‘no commitment, requirement or expectation for a further transaction’.
“We will, as always, taste test every new food and drink, champion each business decision and continue to lead our brilliant team, ensuring that the Rude Health ethos continues to thrive.”
Aside from the Barnards and PepsiCo Ventures, the company’s shareholders include Rude Health senior employees, ex-employees, and private investors.