John B. Sanfilippo Eyes $300M Bar Growth as CEO Transition Nears

Bar expansion: John B. Sanfilippo is investing approximately $90 million in two high-speed bar lines at its Elgin, Illinois, facility, with the capacity expected to support about $300 million in incremental sales over the next three to four years.

Growth strategy: The company is shifting beyond its largely flat nut and trail-mix categories toward faster-growing private-label snack and protein bars, targeting bars to reach at least 30% of its portfolio in the near term and roughly half within four to five years.

CEO transition: Jeffrey Sanfilippo will step down as CEO on October 1 and become executive chairman, while his brother and longtime COO Jasper Sanfilippo is set to become CEO.

John B. Sanfilippo & Son (NASDAQ:JBSS) outlined plans to expand its snack bar manufacturing business while continuing to build on its private-label nut and trail mix operations, during a presentation at the IDEAS Conference.

The company, a fourth-generation family-managed processor, marketer and distributor of nuts and snack products, said it generates approximately $1.2 billion in annual net sales. Its portfolio includes snack and protein bars, recipe nuts, snack nuts, trail mixes and confection products.

Mike Finn, the company's vice president and corporate controller, said the company operates five U.S. manufacturing facilities, including shelling operations near nut-growing regions, a dedicated peanut facility and a separate peanut-free facility. He said the company's vertically integrated manufacturing platform spans pecans, walnuts and peanuts.

Finn said the consumer channel, the company's largest distribution channel, delivered a 6% sales increase in fiscal 2026. The increase was driven by selling-price alignment, favorable product mix and contributions from new customer wins.

The commercial ingredients channel posted 10% sales growth, supported by new and existing customers as well as strategic pricing actions. Contract manufacturing sales increased 4%, primarily due to new customer additions.

Finn said the company has become increasingly focused on the consumer channel as part of a strategy intended to enhance profitability and reduce risk. Within private label, nuts and trail products account for most sales, while the Fisher brand remains the main contributor to its branded business.