You don’t have to be a devoted fan of “Die Höhle der Löwen” to know Yfood. In the TV show, founders Noel Bollmann and Benjamin Kremer presented their product in 2018. In the meantime, you can find the Munich startup’s products in almost every supermarket visit. And in fact, the startup has since become a major player with revenues of 150 million euros in the past year.
Now comes the next step: Nestlé S.A. is acquiring yfood Labs GmbH in full and aims to accelerate international expansion of the Munich-based smart food brand. The founder shares of Benjamin Kremer and Noel Bollmann are expected to transfer to Nestlé on July 3, 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. Financial details are not disclosed.
Who is Yfood?
Founded in Munich in 2017, the company reports revenues of approximately 150 million euros in fiscal year 2025, operates in 30 countries, and is listed at more than 50,000 points of sale. Nestlé’s acquisition is not a classic food exit, but rather a scaleup sale following proven international traction.
From 49 percent to 100 percent: Nestlé expands smart food portfolio
Nestlé has held a 49 percent stake in Yfood since 2023. With the full acquisition, the company now gains access to the entire brand, while Yfood is expected to benefit from Nestlé’s global distribution and scaling capabilities.
The deal is relevant for the Munich startup ecosystem because Yfood ranks among the city’s most visible consumer scaleups. The company has built an independent “smart food” category from meal drinks, powders, and bars.
Yfood remains in Munich – new leadership from Nestlé manager
Yfood co-CEO Noel Bollmann says:
“Over the last eight years, we’ve built Yfood into one of Europe’s leading meal drink brands: profitable, in 30 countries, and with over 50,000 points of sale. The next step for Yfood is global. For that, the brand needs a partner with worldwide distribution and infrastructure. The past three years of partnership with Nestlé have proven that Yfood is scalable internationally and profitably. We are handing over Yfood at the point where the brand is ready for the world – and to the partner that can take it there.”
And co-founder Benjamin Kremer adds:
“Our fantastic team at Yfood has written a success story in brand building, revenue development, and profitability over the past years, something we all look back on with pride. With Yfood, we’ve created an entirely new food category, ‘smart food,’ and with it captured the zeitgeist of an entire generation. This led to strong growth that Yfood could only manage thanks to the extraordinary dedication of all our colleagues.”
Yfood is expected to continue operating as an independent company based in Munich. Following completion of the transaction, Nestlé manager Jolanda Schwirtz will take over leadership of the management team.
