360training Acquires Canadian Food Safety Group, Including SafeCheck® Brand
AUSTIN, TEXAS – February 27, 2026 – 360training.com, Inc., a global leader in regulated online training and workforce compliance solutions, today announced the acquisition of select assets of Canadian Food Safety Group, including its SafeCheck® Learning and SafeCheck Safety® brands, proprietary course content, certification programs, and related web domains. This acquisition strengthens 360training’s Food & Beverage portfolio and expands its presence in the Canadian compliance training market. The SafeCheck® brands will continue serving Canadian food service professionals under 360training’s ownership.
Established in 1999, Canadian Food Safety Group has issued nearly 900,000 food safety certifications. The organization is recognized for delivering provincially approved and recognized food handler training programs that meet the unique regulatory requirements across Canada.
Expanding in Regulated North American Markets
Canadian Food Safety Group serves independent food operators, national restaurant brands, hospitality groups, and enterprise employers seeking reliable certification and compliance solutions in a complex and evolving regulatory environment.
Unlike many regional training providers, Canadian Food Safety Group operates within a regulatory framework that varies by province, requiring close alignment with local public health authorities and certification standards. This expertise complements 360training’s long-standing leadership across regulated industries, including food and beverage, environmental health and safety, real estate, healthcare, and financial services.
With established brands such as Learn2Serve® and TIPS®, 360training has long supported food and beverage professionals across the United States. The addition of Canadian Food Safety Group and its SafeCheck® brands expands that commitment into Canada, reinforcing 360training’s strategy of growth through targeted acquisitions in regulated, compliance-driven markets.
Combining Provincial Expertise with Scalable Technology
“Food safety compliance is increasingly complex, especially for brands operating across multiple jurisdictions,” said Tom Anderson, CEO of 360training. “Canadian Food Safety Group brings deep provincial expertise and trusted brands like SafeCheck®, and together we can deliver scalable, technology-enabled solutions that support food service operators throughout both Canada and the United States.”
As public health regulations continue to evolve, food service employers face growing pressure to maintain workforce certification, documentation accuracy, and audit readiness. By integrating SafeCheck® and SafeCheck Safety® into its broader compliance ecosystem, 360training enhances its ability to serve single-location businesses, franchise systems, and multi-unit enterprises operating across provincial and national boundaries.
“Our mission has always centered on helping businesses navigate complex regulatory environments,” said Samantha Montalbano, COO of 360training. “By combining Canadian Food Safety’s jurisdiction-specific expertise with our scalable compliance training infrastructure, we’re positioned to deliver a broader range of accredited food safety programs that meet provincial standards while offering a seamless digital learning experience.”
Delivering Greater Value to Multi-Location Operators
Domenic Pedulla, President of Canadian Food Safety Group, highlighted the strategic alignment behind the transaction.
“Our mission has always been to help food service professionals meet provincial requirements with clarity and confidence,” said Pedulla. “Partnering with 360training allows us to expand that mission through enhanced technology, enterprise-level reporting capabilities, and the backing of a global compliance organization, while continuing to deliver the trusted certification programs our customers depend on.”
The acquisition also strengthens enterprise support for restaurant groups and franchise systems managing distributed teams. Through 360training’s proprietary learning platform, employers gain centralized reporting, certification tracking, and streamlined oversight across both U.S. and Canadian operations.
“Compliance management extends beyond course delivery. It requires visibility and control,” said Ryan Linders, CMO of 360training. “This integration enables organizations to manage food safety certification across borders within a unified system, helping reduce administrative burden while reinforcing regulatory confidence.”
Vestar Completes the Sale of Quest Analytics
New York, NY, November 10, 2025 – Vestar Capital Partners, a leading U.S. middle-market private equity firm, completed the sale of Quest Analytics, a cornerstone healthcare technology platform that enables the creation of compliant, cost-effective, and equitable provider networks. Details of the transaction were not disclosed.
“Under Vestar’s ownership, Quest transformed from a founder-led niche point solution to an integrated market leading platform, while increasing revenues and scaling EBITDA margins,” said Dan O’Connell, CEO and Founder of Vestar. “We are proud of the results achieved thanks to our strong partnership with management, and we believe this exit is a good outcome for all stakeholders.”
For over 20 years, Quest Analytics has partnered with health plans, health systems, regulators, and providers to deliver accurate information and ensure reliable provider networks, ultimately improving patients’ access to care. Today, the company works with the largest state and federal regulators as well as 90% of U.S. health plans.
Titan Frozen Fruit Names Tom Byrne as President & CEO, as Founding CEO Jon Larsen Moves to Chairman
SANTA MARIA, Calif., Aug. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Titan Frozen Fruit ("Titan" or "the Company"), a market-leading, value-added food ingredient manufacturer and fruit processor, announced today that Titan President Tom Byrne has been named President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). He succeeds previous Titan CEO Jon Larsen, who will now serve as the Company's Chairman. Titan is a portfolio company of Vestar Capital Partners.
"We've been impressed with Tom's leadership at Titan and the meaningful impact he's made during his two years at the Company," said Dan O'Connell, Founder and CEO of Vestar. "He's just the right person to lead Titan at this stage of its growth and development and we look forward to our ongoing partnership. We would also like to thank Jon for his long-time leadership at Titan, and we're excited that he will continue as Chairman and a major shareholder going forward."
With a deep background in the fresh/frozen food manufacturing and packaging industries, Mr. Byrne has 30 years of experience leading transformational change across organizations. Prior to joining Titan in 2023, he served as a Senior Vice President – Division Manager at Golden West Packaging Group, was President of Growers Express, and held senior executive roles at Sambrailo Packaging and Peninsula Packaging. Mr. Byrne holds a bachelor's degree in business management from the University of Notre Dame.
"Titan has a world-class team, and I'm honored to lead the Company as we execute on our strategic plans," said Mr. Byrne. "With our new 136,500 square foot state-of-the-art processing facility and a commitment to delivering the highest quality products to our customers, Titan is well positioned to take advantage of new opportunities."
"I remain passionate about Titan and the value we bring to customers, and I am excited to continue working closely with Tom and the Vestar team during this next chapter of the Company's evolution," said Mr. Larsen.
Circana Completes Acquisition of NCSolutions
CHICAGO and NEW YORK — June 2, 2025 — Circana, LLC has announced the successful completion of its acquisition of NCSolutions (NCS), the joint venture between Nielsen and Catalina that improves advertising effectiveness. With this acquisition, Circana significantly expands its media measurement capabilities. Circana announced its intent to acquire NCS last year.
“We are thrilled to welcome the talented NCS team to Circana and meaningfully enhance our media capabilities,” said Stuart Aitken, president and chief executive officer of Circana. “Allocating finite marketing resources is one of the most critical and challenging decisions organizations face today – and there is no substitute for comprehensive, real-time data and actionable insights to optimize outcomes. Bringing together Circana and NCS data, technology assets, and industry-leading expertise will deliver more value for our clients as we work with them to maximize every media and marketing dollar they spend.”
Clients of both organizations will gain broader access to audience targeting, media measurement, in-flight optimization, and clean room solutions. This combination will also increase efficiency and offer improved products and services to fuel clients’ growth through more targeted and impactful advertising.
NCS will join Circana’s Media team, which works with advertisers and their agencies to plan, target, activate, measure, and optimize media spend. Its solutions portfolio is built on a robust enterprise technology platform, actionable CPG and general merchandise shopper, sales, and causal data sets, and advanced analytics. The Circana Media team is led by Cara Pratt, president of Global Retail & Media for Circana.
“NCS has built a stellar reputation in advertising effectiveness,” said Aitken. “We are excited to work alongside their team to bring even better services and solutions to our clients and help them unlock new growth.”
Circana continues to work towards closing its previously announced acquisition of Nielsen’s Marketing Mix Modeling business.
360training Acquires Ready Training Online (RTO)
Austin, TX – May 1, 2025 – 360training.com, Inc., a leading provider of online compliance and workforce training, has acquired Ready Training Online (RTO®), a full-service training provider serving the restaurant and convenience store sectors. This acquisition strengthens 360training’s mission to deliver industry-specific training that helps businesses stay compliant and develop high-performing teams.
“The acquisition of RTO is a significant milestone for 360training as we continue expanding our footprint in regulated industries,” said Tom Anderson, CEO of 360training. “RTO’s deep expertise and reputation in the convenience store space align perfectly with our long-term vision to offer best-in-class training to essential industries that keep the country running.”
Founded in 2005, RTO has spent two decades helping convenience stores and related service businesses across the country develop their frontline workforce and maintain compliance with critical government regulations. The Company has established strong partnerships with many of the top convenience store operators in the United States and is recognized as the preferred eLearning partner of the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS). Now, joining the 360training family, RTO is poised to deliver even greater value to its partners.
“RTO’s practical, easy-to-deploy solutions are a natural fit with 360training’s expanding family of brands,” said Jeff Kahler, Founder of Ready Training Online. “In joining 360training, we are confident RTO clients, and the convenience industry will continue to receive the training necessary for employee success. I am very proud of the RTO and 360training teams. The hard work on both sides led to a well-coordinated, efficient, and non-disruptive acquisition. Their model ensures that becoming part of the 360training family is both effortless and rewarding.”
Together, 360training and RTO will extend their impact by enhancing access to workforce education and compliance training across essential industries.
“This is more than a business decision—it’s an opportunity to bring greater value to the communities we serve,” said Samantha Montalbano, COO of 360training. “RTO’s training helps frontline employees stay safe, informed, and prepared. Together, we can extend that impact by enhancing access to education in one of the country’s most essential service industries.”
As part of the portfolio, RTO will help deliver robust, targeted training tailored for employees in the convenience and retail industries. The acquisition also opens new doors for 360training’s current customers, particularly in the food and beverage space, who will now gain access to RTO’s extensive catalog of compliance and operational training tailored to convenience store operations.
“We’re excited to offer our customers in the convenience retail space a broader, more integrated training solution,” added Ryan Linders, CMO of 360training. “With this acquisition, we’re blending RTO’s industry leadership with 360training’s expertise in food safety, alcohol seller-server compliance, and workforce education—creating a one-stop shop for scalable, high-impact training.”
360training will continue to support RTO’s existing customer relationships while expanding its capabilities to deliver one of the most comprehensive and adaptable online training solutions for the service and retail industries.
360training Acquires On The Fly Brands
Austin, TX – April 17, 2025 – 360training.com, Inc., a leading provider of regulatory-approved training for the food and beverage industry, is pleased to announce the acquisition of three brands: TABC On The Fly, Certified On The Fly, and BASSET On The Fly.
This strategic acquisition significantly expands 360training’s Food & Beverage portfolio, which already includes Learn2Serve and TIPS (Training for Intervention Procedures), two of the most recognized names in alcohol and food safety training in the U.S.
“This acquisition represents a bold step forward in our mission to deliver trusted, accessible regulatory training that protects the public and supports industry professionals,” said Tom Anderson, CEO of 360training. “By bringing the On The Fly brands into the 360training family, we’re not only extending our leadership in the food and beverage sector—we're reinforcing our commitment to innovation, compliance, and empowering safer hospitality environments nationwide.”
The newly acquired brands have built a strong legacy of convenient, affordable, and user-friendly online certification programs:
- TABC On The Fly is an approved provider of Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) certification.
- Certified On The Fly delivers Texas Department of State Health Services-approved Texas Food Handler certification.
- BASSET On The Fly offers Illinois Liquor Control Commission-approved alcohol seller-server training through the BASSET program.
“Every product we deliver is ultimately about building safer, more responsible communities,” said Samantha Montalbano, COO of 360training. “With these brands, we’re able to expand access to approved training content that helps prevent alcohol-related incidents, reduce foodborne illness risks, and meet strict state regulations with ease. It's a win for both public safety and the professionals who keep our food and beverage spaces running.”
Since 2013, TABC On The Fly, Certified On The Fly, and BASSET On The Fly have been trusted by more than one million servers, bartenders, managers, and food service professionals across Texas and Illinois.
“Our customers count on us for reliable, streamlined learning experiences,” added Ryan Linders, CMO of 360training. “This acquisition allows us to elevate the customer experience with an even broader selection of approved, mobile-friendly training products that fit the way today’s workforce learns—anytime, anywhere.”
360training will continue to deliver the high-quality learning experiences these brands are known for. With this acquisition, the Company continues its momentum in delivering industry-leading regulatory training that’s not only compliant—but impactful.
360training Acquires My Mortgage Trainer
Austin, TX – April 11, 2025 – 360training.com, Inc., a leading online provider of regulatory-approved training and compliance solutions, is pleased to announce its acquisition of My Mortgage Trainer (mymgtr.com), an NMLS-approved provider of mortgage education and compliance training. The acquisition reflects 360training’s continued commitment to expanding its footprint in the financial services sector and delivering comprehensive learning solutions to professionals nationwide.
Founded over 20 years ago by industry veteran Aaron Wilson (‘Uncle Aaron’ to those in the industry), My Mortgage Trainer has built a strong reputation for educating and training brokers, lenders, and mortgage loan originators across the country. The company is widely recognized for its high-quality, flexible courses and dedication to supporting career development throughout the mortgage industry. Its robust offerings include NMLS-approved pre-licensing and continuing education in all 50 states.
“Bringing My Mortgage Trainer into the 360training family is a strategic union that makes perfect sense,” said Tom Anderson, CEO of 360training. “Both organizations share a commitment to delivering high-quality, accessible education in regulated industries. This acquisition strengthens our position in the mortgage sector while supporting our broader mission to expand professional training across compliance-driven markets.”
With the acquisition, 360training will maintain the legacy and customer relationships that have made My Mortgage Trainer a trusted name in mortgage education.
“By joining forces, we’re not only expanding our offerings, but also enhancing the compliance and operational support professionals need to navigate the complex mortgage industry,” said Samantha Montalbano, COO of 360training. “This acquisition represents our shared values in maintaining educational integrity, while scaling access to training that strengthens communities and the regulatory landscape.”
Clients of both organizations can expect uninterrupted access to high-quality mortgage training, including pre-licensing and CE courses across all states, while also gaining new opportunities through 360training’s expansive online training platform and innovative learning tools.
“Our customers are at the heart of everything we do,” added Ryan Linders, CMO of 360training. “By combining forces, we’re creating a more powerful training portfolio that meets the evolving needs of mortgage professionals. This gives learners more options, more flexibility, and ultimately, more tools to succeed in today’s challenging market.”
As 360training continues to grow its portfolio of compliance and career-focused training, the acquisition of My Mortgage Trainer exemplifies its mission to provide accessible, high-quality training that empowers individuals and strengthens the industries they serve.
Vestar-backed Tech24 Appoints Cary Reed as CEO
Tech-24 Appoints Cary Reed as New CEO
Greenville, South Carolina — March 12, 2025
Tech-24, a leader in foodservice equipment service and solutions, is proud to announce the appointment of Cary Reed as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Cary brings over 25 years of extensive experience in operations, sales management, and strategic growth across multiple industries, including foodservice and HVAC. Cary is best known for his remarkable tenure at Service Experts, where he played a crucial role in transforming the business during his time as Chief Operating Officer. His ability to integrate diverse business environments and drive organizational success makes him exceptionally qualified to lead Tech-24 into its next phase of growth. “This is an exciting time for Tech-24 as we embark on new opportunities in the foodservice equipment industry,” said Cary Reed. “I am honored to join such a talented team and look forward to collaborating with our employees, customers, and partners to deliver innovative solutions and exceptional service.” As CEO, Cary aims to strengthen Tech-24's commitment to providing unparalleled service and comprehensive solutions that meet the evolving needs of the foodservice industry. He plans to leverage his extensive background in operational oversight and strategic innovation to enhance Tech-24's service offerings and expand its market presence. The team at Tech-24 is confident that Cary's leadership will enhance its customer-centric approach while fostering a culture of collaboration, efficiency, and continuous improvement. “Cary’s proven track record and visionary leadership make him the ideal choice to guide Tech-24 into its next chapter of growth,” said Bob Hund, Tech-24’s Executive Chair. “We are excited about the direction he will take us and the impact he will have on our employees, customers, and stakeholders.” Cary Reed will succeed Dan Rodstrom, who has played an essential role in the company's development. Tech-24 expresses its gratitude for the leadership and dedication shown under Dan and wishes him a comfortable retirement. For more information about Tech-24 and its services, please visit www.mytech24.com.
About Tech-24: Tech-24 is a leading provider of foodservice equipment service solutions, providing comprehensive expertise and support for the foodservice industry. With a commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, Tech-24 offers innovative service solutions to ensure that foodservice operations run efficiently and effectively.
End of Release For additional press inquiries, please contact Corey Harrison at [email protected]
Vestar Completes the Sale of Presence Marketing to PLTFRM
ASPEN; February 26, 2025 – PLTFRM, a leading omni-channel commerce partner specializing in driving retail and digital sales growth for brands, has announced the successful acquisition of Presence Marketing, a leading commerce partner for natural & organic CPG brands. This strategic acquisition enhances PLTFRM’s service offerings, expands its retail channel reach, and solidifies its position as the leading growth engine for brands looking to scale in today’s evolving marketplace.
With the addition of Presence, PLTFRM now boasts a combined team of over 650 industry experts with strong relationships at 30+ key retailers, including Walmart, Sam’s Club, Amazon, TikTok Shop, Target, Costco, Best Buy, Kroger, Whole Foods, Sprouts, Wegmans, and Albertsons. The combined approach will strengthen PLTFRM’s ability to provide a comprehensive solution that enables disruptive brands to drive sales growth both digitally and at retail in a wholistic manner.
“We are excited to welcome the incredible team from Presence into the PLTFRM family,” said Noah Bremen, CEO/Founder of PLTFRM. “This acquisition positions PLTFRM as the most powerful partner for disruptive brands looking to scale within both digital and physical retail. By integrating Presence’s deep expertise in the natural & organic channel with PLTFRM’s omnichannel strategy and technology, we are unlocking new levels of growth and market access for our brand and retail partners. Together, we are poised for a bright future”
The addition of Presence allows PLTFRM to offer a wider selection of channel solutions, including additional retail services and expanded capabilities in data and category leadership. Furthermore, Presence’s established relationships and reputation within natural & organic and conventional retailers across the U.S. will provide new opportunities for growth and expansion.
“Sales agencies are a crucial component of the CPG ecosystem, acting as the bridge between brands and retailers,” said Bill Weiland, CEO and Founder of Presence. “Joining forces with PLTFRM allows us to elevate our services, provide additional value to our clients, and leverage new resources that will fuel even greater success in the evolving retail landscape.”
The acquisition marks an important milestone in the continued success and future vision of PLTFRM as it continues its mission of utilizing industry experience, strong relationships, data, AI and technology to connect consumers with the world’s best brands.
About PLTFRM
PLTFRM is an industry-leading omni-channel commerce partner. The company drives revenue for its brand partners via digital and brick-and-mortar retail channels, including Walmart, Sam’s Club, Amazon, Tik Tok, Target, Costco, Best Buy and numerous additional online marketplaces. The Company’s best-of-breed, mission-critical managed services include omnichannel sales strategy, E-commerce optimization, supply chain and logistics management, digital marketing, content services, demand forecasting, retail analytics, and category management. Established in 2005 and privately held, the Company has a long history of accelerating brand growth for consumer brands of all sizes, stages, and industry verticals.
About Presence
Presence Marketing is the leading natural & organic focused CPG commerce partner in the United States. With their national footprint, Presence serves a diverse array of grocery channels, including natural (Whole Foods, Sprouts, Erewhon), specialty (MOM’s, Fresh Thyme), conventional (Kroger, Publix, Albertsons), and mass markets (Meijer, HEB), with a strong position in the food, beverage, nutrition and personal care categories. Presence’s robust services are complemented by a wide array of proprietary technology applications, which enhance client productivity and sales strategy.
Flower Foods to Acquire Vestar Capital-backed Snacks Brand Simple Mills
- The transaction is anticipated to close in the first quarter of 2025
- Simple Mills was founded in 2012 by Katlin Smith
- Vestar Capital invests in the middle market
Flower Foods Inc has agreed to acquire Simple Mills, a US-based better-for-you snacks brand, from Vestar Capital Partners for $795 million.
Headquartered in Thomasville, Georgia, Flowers Foods, Inc is a producer of packaged bakery foods.
Simple Mills was founded in 2012 by Katlin Smith.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome the Simple Mills team to Flowers,” said Ryals McMullian, chairman and CEO of Flowers Foods. “With leading market positions and abundant white space for future growth, Simple Mills perfectly fits our strategy of adding compelling brands in better-for-you segments that complement and diversify our existing portfolio.”
The transaction is anticipated to close in the first quarter of 2025.
Upon closing, Simple Mills will operate as an independent subsidiary of Flowers Foods and continue to be led by founder and CEO Katlin Smith and her leadership team. Simple Mills will maintain its operations in Chicago, Illinois and Mill Valley, California.
RBC Capital Markets LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor and Jones Day acted as legal counsel to Flowers Foods in this transaction. Piper Sandler and Centerview Partners served as the financial advisors and Ropes & Gray LLP served as legal counsel to Simple Mills in this transaction. Royal Bank of Canada is acting as administrative agent and sole bookrunner on the term loan.