St. Pete firm acquires Yoder’s Southern Creamery, Sutter's

A St. Petersburg private equity firm has acquired two Sarasota companies. SI Private Capital made an equity investment for the acquisitions of Yoder’s Southern Creamery and Sutter’s Quality Foods, according to a statement. Financial terms of the deals were not disclosed.

Yoder’s Southern Creamery was founded in 2019 as a manufacturer and wholesaler of small-batch, premium, old-fashioned ice cream. Its more than 70 flavors are served in restaurants, markets, ice cream shops and other institutions across Florida.

Sutter’s Quality Foods, which started in 1998 as Yoder’s Eggs Inc., is a wholesaler and distributor of dairy products, orange juice, eggs, ice cream (including Yoder’s Southern Creamery), cheeses and other items, to Florida restaurants, markets, institutions and ice cream shops.

Bill Yoder, who founded Yoder’s Southern Creamery and Sutter’s Quality Foods, will retain an ownership stake in both companies and continue to serve as president of Yoder’s Southern Creamery, according to the statement on the recent acquisition.

“What stood out to us most was SI Private Capital’s genuine respect for our roots as a family-owned business,” Yoder says in a statement. “They’ve made it clear that preserving our culture and values is just as important as driving growth — and that means a lot to us.”

Brian Richardson will remain the CEO of both Yoder’s Southern Creamery and Sutter’s Quality Foods, also ensuring continuity in leadership, the statement adds. 

As part of the acquisitions, SI Private Capital announced its capital investment to support future growth and capitalization of both companies, according to a statement.

The property where Yoder’s and Sutter’s Quality Foods are located, at 6830 Richardson Road, was purchased Aug. 15 for $3.65 million by an LLC tied to SI Private Capital,  Sarasota County property records show.

“Equity investments like this are central to SIPC’s mission, and we look forward to working with Brian and Bill, and their team, to help realize their ambitious growth vision,” Richard Mocsari, managing partner at SI Private Capital, says in the statement.

SI Private Capital was founded in 2023 as a private family office-backed fund manager, according to LinkedIn. It focuses on being a strategic partner to lower middle-market businesses primarily in the Southeast with $2 million to $10 million in (EBITDA) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. According to its website, the firm has a $5 million minimum targeted investment. Its goal is to provide flexible debt and equity capital solutions to enhance operations, optimize capital structure and drive long-term growth and value creation.