Key Takeaways

• CookUnity has acquired Cookin, expanding its network of chef creators and enhancing service offerings.
• The acquisition includes Cookin’s technology and a new Ingredients Club for home chefs.
• CookUnity, approaching $500 million in revenue, is experiencing 80% annual growth.

Acquisition Enhances Culinary Offerings

CookUnity, a meal delivery service based in New York City, has announced its acquisition of Cookin, a Toronto-based culinary commerce platform. This strategic move aims to integrate Cookin’s extensive network of 1,500 culinary creators, which includes home cooks and professional chefs, into CookUnity’s existing operations across the U.S. and Canada.

Cookin’s creators operate in 40 U.S. states and 10 Canadian provinces, signifying a broad potential for growth in the culinary space. The acquisition will allow CookUnity to provide enhanced services through the incorporation of Cookin’s software-as-a-service (SaaS) technology. This technology will equip chefs with a turnkey storefront, enabling them to host short-term pop-up events, termed “Drops,” and sell meals à la carte without significant upfront investment.

Morley Ivers, CEO of Cookin, highlighted the synergy between the two companies, stating that the partnership will create a powerful ecosystem aimed at improving the food industry. The initial discussions that led to this acquisition began last summer when Ivers and CookUnity’s founder, Mateo Marietti, recognized a shared vision for the culinary landscape.

While Cookin initially targeted smaller culinary creators, CookUnity has focused on facilitating growth for chefs operating from commercial kitchens. This acquisition is set to merge those approaches, leveraging CookUnity’s strengths in logistics, ingredient sourcing, packaging, and delivery.

In addition to integrating Cookin’s creators, the newly formed entity will launch the Ingredients Club. This initiative will provide home chefs with access to wholesale food supplies, enhancing their business capabilities. CookUnity currently allocates approximately $100 million each year for ingredients, signifying robust spending in support of its chefs.

Although the terms of the acquisition remain undisclosed, it has received unanimous approval from all 52 Cookin shareholders, who will now hold equity in CookUnity. Prior to the acquisition, CookUnity was approaching half a billion dollars in annual revenue, reflecting a staggering growth rate of 80% year over year.

This merger promises to enhance the culinary experience for both creators and consumers, with a focus on innovation and community building in the food industry. As the landscape evolves, both companies aim to set a new standard for chef-led culinary businesses, fostering a thriving environment for aspiring and established culinary talents.

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