BOULDER, COLO. and GREENWICH, CONN. — On Feb. 17, premium pet food and treat brand “I and love and you” announced it received a Series C investment from private equity L Catterton. Financial terms of the investment were not disclosed. “I and love and you” also announced it has appointed Michael Meyer to chief executive officer.
L Catterton’s investment follows the pet food company’s launch of two new wet cat food lines earlier in 2022. The investment will help support the company’s acceleration of growth through omni-channel platforms.
“As the brand enters its next chapter of growth, there is no one better positioned to guide the company than Michael,” said Howard Steyn, a partner at L Catterton. “Michael brings significant leadership and industry experience and is poised to help the company accelerate its innovation and bring its high-quality, differentiated products to more pet lovers. L Catterton is thrilled to continue its partnership with the company as it seeks to continue innovating to help all pets eat better and live life to the fullest.”
A current operating partner at L Catterton, Meyer has experience in executive leadership and has helped companies achieve significant growth across a variety of industries. He has served on the boards of many pet food brands, including “I and love and you,” Lily’s Kitchen and JustFoodForDogs. Prior to “I and love and you,” Meyer served as president of Wellness Pet Foods, chief financial and operating officer of Plum Organics, and chief administrative officer of Restoration Hardware.
“I am incredibly honored to join ‘I and love and you’ as chief executive officer at such an exciting time for the company and our industry,” Meyer said. “L Catterton paved the way in the natural pet category with Wellness Pet Food in 2004. I am pleased to bring our authentic, differentiated brand and people-aligned offerings to the next generation of consumers who rely on us every day. I live the food philosophy of ‘all good, nothing bad’ and am focused on creating the very best food for our pets, including my own pug, Cola. I know that our pets would make this food for themselves if they had thumbs!”
L Catterton has invested in several pet food and pet care companies and brands, including Ainsworth Pet Nutrition (parent company of Nutrish and now owned by The J.M. Smucker Company), Canidae, JustFoodForDogs, Wellness Pet Food, Lily’s Kitchen, Inspired Pet Nutrition and Nature’s Variety.
Read more about personnel changes throughout the industry.
