SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco Equity Partners (SFEP) has acquired a majority stake in Brazi Bites, a Portland, Ore.-based company that produces frozen gluten-free Brazilian-style cheese bread. By partnering with SFEP, Brazi Bites believes it will be able to build around its current strength as a better-for-you brand and expand into other categories.

"SEFP is the ideal partner for Brazi Bites based on their experience guiding authentic consumer brands to a broader audience,” said Junea Rocha, co-founder and chief executive officer, Brazi Bites. “Over the next few years, Brazi Bites will become a platform for delicious, better-for-you Latin American foods. We are excited for this new partnership to accelerate the distribution growth for our current product offering and pursue the numerous growth opportunities for our brand.”

The concept for Brazi Bites is based off Pão de Queijo, a popular Brazilian snack. It is made using tapioca flour, milk, eggs and cheese. The product’s simple and gluten-free ingredients have positioned the company to expand as consumers seek out clean label snacks.

With 4,554% growth in three years, the company was ranked No. 81 on the Inc. 5000 annual list of “America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies.” Brazi Bites’ product line, which includes four different varieties, is available at more than 6,000 stores in the United States, including Whole Foods, Sprouts, Kroger, Costco, Wegmans, Publix, Target, Safeway and more. 

“Brazi Bites is a trendsetting brand at the forefront of the ‘freezer revolution’ and their growth within the industry reflects that,” said Scott Potter, managing partner, SFEP. “We look forward to leveraging our resources and network in partnering with them for their next stage of growth.”