Allplants Owner Matthew Mills Acquires Fairoak Foods Out of Administration

Why It Matters

Owning production reduces Allplants’ dependence on external suppliers, strengthening its competitive edge in the fast‑growing plant‑based market. The move also stabilizes jobs and signals consolidation in a sector marked by frequent mergers and closures.

Key Takeaways

• Matthew Mills acquires Fairoak Foods’ 6,700 sq ft Surrey factory.
• Acquisition saves ~60 jobs and brings manufacturing in‑house for Allplants.
• Allplants aims to accelerate product development and subscription growth.
• Deal follows a multi‑million‑pound (~$2.5 M) Hero Group acquisition of Deliciously Ella.
• UK alternative‑protein sector has seen >70 mergers or closures since Sep 2024.

Pulse Analysis

The acquisition of Fairoak Foods by Matthew and Ella Mills marks a strategic shift for Allplants, moving the vegan meal‑kit brand from reliance on third‑party producers to owning a fully fitted 6,700‑square‑foot manufacturing hub in Surrey. By integrating production, Allplants can tighten quality control, reduce lead times, and capture higher margins on its expanding portfolio of frozen meals, snacks, and sauces. The deal, completed within eight weeks, also preserves roughly 60 jobs, underscoring the Millses’ pattern of rescuing distressed food businesses while reinforcing their own supply chain resilience.

This move reflects broader consolidation pressures in the UK alternative‑protein market, where more than 70 companies have merged, been acquired, or folded since September 2024. The sector’s rapid churn is driven by intense competition, scaling challenges, and the need for capital‑intensive manufacturing capacity. By securing Fairoak’s expertise in private‑label development and its existing retailer relationships, Allplants positions itself to outpace rivals such as Neat and Beastly Brews, whose recent closures highlight the fragility of smaller operators lacking in‑house production.

Looking ahead, Allplants plans to leverage the new facility for accelerated product innovation, including high‑protein ready meals and plant‑based sauces tailored to subscription models. The vertical integration also aligns with investor appetite for end‑to‑end food tech businesses that can demonstrate sustainable growth and margin improvement. As consumer demand for convenient vegan options continues to rise, Allplants’ expanded manufacturing footprint could attract further strategic partnerships or equity investment, cementing its role in the evolving plant‑based ecosystem.

Deal Summary

Matthew Mills, co‑owner of UK plant‑based meal brand Allplants, has completed the acquisition of Fairoak Foods, a private‑label vegan food manufacturer, out of administration. The deal includes a 6,700‑sq‑ft Surrey factory and secures around 60 jobs, expanding Allplants’ manufacturing capacity. The transaction was finalized in early June 2026.