Food & Beverage 4Q 2023 Report
Food & Beverage sector experienced subdued dealmaking activity in 2023. Market-wide deal volume declined due to a scarcity of both buyers and sellers, coupled with fluctuating valuations amid prevailing economic uncertainties. Encouragingly, the latter part of the year witnessed a positive shift, particularly in middle-market deals, where valuations averaged 7.5x Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) adjusted EBITDA—a notable increase of 0.9x from the second quarter and in line with first-quarter figures. Read the full report.
Beth Johnson is an associate at FOCUS, where she is a member of both the Consumer and Agribusiness and Food teams. In her role, she supports clients throughout all stages of the transaction process, from valuation and marketing to due diligence and deal execution.
Prior to joining FOCUS, Johnson was Director of Development at 4P Foods, a Virginia-based fresh foods distributor committed to building a regenerative food system. She joined during a significant growth period for the company and helped it successfully close several capital raises, including ones that involved novel financing structures.
Johnson’s experience includes working with branded consumer goods companies in the natural/organic category, as well as startup ventures focusing on sustainable agriculture.
Johnson is a graduate of Hollins University, where she was a member of the equestrian team. She holds her Series 63 and 82 licenses.
