Bob Evans Farms (BEF) has acquired Pineland Farms Potato Company in Maine, US.

Pineland contracts potatoes from several family-owned farms.

BEF president and CEO Mike Townsley said: “We expect to leverage our acquisition of Pineland Farms Potato Company and our superior on-shelf performance to generate continued side-dish sales growth, particularly in expansion markets and new retail channels such as club and convenience stores.

“We also expect to grow in the food service channel as we partner with restaurant chains to help them better manage their costs while providing high-quality products for their guests.”

"We look forward to continuing to work with Saed Mohseni and the rest of the management team to support the organisation’s long-term growth.”

BEF HAS also completed the sale of its Bob Evans Restaurants unit to private-equity company Golden Gate Capital for $565m.

The purchase and sale announcement were made in January.

With the acquisition of Pineland Farms Potato Company and the sale of Bob Evans Restaurants, the company proposes to realise the full potential of its BEF Foods business.

BEF Foods is engaged in the production of refrigerated side dishes and sausages.

Golden Gate Capital managing director Josh Cohen said: “We are confident that Bob Evans Restaurants’ heartfelt hospitality and farm-fresh quality are key differentiators in today’s family dining space and we look forward to continuing to work with Saed Mohseni and the rest of the management team to support the organisation’s long-term growth.”