When Adam Michaels got a surprise call in early 2022 about the CEO position at Mama Mancini’s, a small prepared food company, he was initially uninterested.
The CPG veteran was content at Mondelēz International, orchestrating multi-million-dollar deals for the Oreo giant. However, after a meeting with Mama’s board and a factory tour with founder Dan Mancini, Michaels was convinced to join a company with an authentic story and immense growth potential.
Mama Mancini’s, founded in 2007 by Dan Mancini, had already established a successful niche in Italian foods and was expanding in the deli-prepared foods segment. Michaels saw an opportunity to drive growth and overhaul a company facing financial challenges.
Under Michaels’ leadership, Mama’s revenue reached a record $103 million in fiscal year 2024, with gross profit increasing significantly.
Michaels’ strategic changes at Mama’s included doubling margins, optimizing costs, and improving contracts with customers. He also revamped the marketing strategy and expanded the product portfolio.
By investing in technology for manufacturing processes and enhancing operational efficiency, Mama’s increased production capacity and reduced costs.
Michaels rebranded the company as Mama’s Creations to reflect its position in the deli-prepared foods market.
To achieve the goal of $1 billion in sales, Michaels plans for organic growth and acquisitions. He aims to expand Mama’s presence in delis and offer a diverse range of products to retailers.
Recognizing the potential of the deli segment, Michaels is focused on making Mama’s a one-stop-shop deli-solution business by acquiring complementary food companies.
With a vision for growth and a commitment to execution, Michaels is actively seeking acquisitions to enhance Mama’s portfolio and drive expansion.