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Ben Riback

Benjamin Riback

Managing Director, Consumer Products & Services

Chicago skyline

About Benjamin

Ben Riback is a partner and managing director for William Blair based in the firm’s Chicago office. He joined William Blair's investment banking team in 2021 to lead its food and beverage practice. Prior to William Blair, he worked for Citigroup and BMO Capital Markets focused on food and beverage. Ben began his investment banking career in 2003 and prior to that worked as an operations consultant at Arthur Andersen. Over the course of his 20yr+ banking career, Ben has advised numerous branded, B2B and Ag companies across all forms of strategic advisory and capital raises.

Ben earned his M.B.A. from University of Michigan and holds a B.B.A. from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Community Involvement

Board member for gastro-intestinal research foundation

Notable Transactions

  • Not Disclosed

    has acquired

    February 2023

  • $600,000,000

    has been acquired by

    December 2022

  • Not Disclosed

    a portfolio company of Bain Capital

    has acquired

    October 2022

    William Blair acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Dessert Holdings, a portfolio company of Bain Capital, in connection with its acquisition of Dianne’s Fine Desserts.

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  • Not Disclosed

    has acquired

    October 2022

  • Not Disclosed

    a portfolio company of
    The Riverside Company

    has been acquired by

    August 2022

  • Not Disclosed

    has acquired

    April 2022

  • Not Disclosed

    has received a minority investment from

    December 2021

    William Blair acted as lead financial advisor to We Are The Chompians, LLC in connection with its minority investment from Stride Consumer Partners LLC.

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  • $63,999,996

    Initial Public Offering

    November 2021

  • Not Disclosed

    a subsidiary of Continental Grain Company

    has sold its Laurel, Mississippi Poultry Processing Operations to

    October 2021

    William Blair acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Wayne Farms, Continental Grain, and Cargill in connection with the sale of its poultry production facility located in Laurel, Mississippi.

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  • $178,500,000

    Initial Public Offering

    October 2021

  • Not Disclosed

    a portfolio company of NexPhase Capital

    has been acquired by

    September 2021

    William Blair acted as financial advisor to Popcornopolis, LLC, a portfolio company of NexPhase Capital, LP, in connection with its sale to Grupo Bimbo, S.A.B. de C.V. Popcornopolis is a leading manufacturer of premium-quality, ready-to-eat popcorn.

    Read more
  • Not Disclosed

    has been acquired by

    November 2018

  • Rigorous pursuit of your success. Every transaction. Every time.

    Our investment bankers are 100 percent committed to your organization’s sustained success. By drawing on our deep industry and product experience as well as our dedicated global resources, we provide advisory and financing services that allow you to capitalize on today’s opportunities and anticipate tomorrow’s challenges.

    More about investment banking at William Blair
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    Consumer & Essential Services

    Amid rapidly evolving consumer preferences and the proliferation of new brands and channels, our experience and relationships throughout the consumer and retail industry have allowed us to deliver outstanding outcomes for our clients. Corporate boards, management teams, and business owners turn to us for execution excellence, sector expertise, deep relationships with strategic, financial, and family buyers, and creative public and private capital market solutions.

    More about our consumer and retail expertise
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    About William Blair

    William Blair is a premier global boutique with expertise in investment banking, investment management, and private wealth management. We provide advisory services, strategies, and solutions to meet our clients’ evolving needs. As an independent and employee-owned firm, together with our strategic partners, we operate in more than 20 offices worldwide.*

    • 1935

      Year William Blair was founded

    • 1,900+

      Employees worldwide

    • 149 billion+

      Client assets

    • 89 Years

      Independent and employee-owned

    • 20+

      Offices worldwide

    • ~650

      Companies under coverage

    As of September 30, 2024
    *Includes strategic partnerships with Allier Capital, BDA Partners, and Poalim Capital Markets.

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