Webinar: Food & Beverage Industry M&A: What to Expect in 2026 by The Food Institute

| Eastern Time (US & Canada) (GMT -4:00)

About This Webinar

This webinar, hosted by The Food Institute, will examine the major M&A trends shaping the food and beverage industry in 2026, featuring a presentation by John Carey Siegler of BMO Capital Markets followed by a roundtable discussion featuring Siegler, BMO Managing Director, Group Head – Food, Consumer & Agribusiness Todd Giles, and Food Institute Vice President of Content and Client Relationships Chris Campbell.

Siegler will explore the food and beverage industry dynamics influencing M&A activity in 2026, including how interest rate expectations, capital availability, portfolio reshaping, and evolving consumer demand are affecting the transaction environment across key consumer sub-segments. He will also discuss the financial, operational, and growth characteristics companies must demonstrate to command premium valuations from both strategic and financial buyers.

The topics covered in the webinar will include the following:

Why M&A remains a critical growth lever for major CPG companies as they refine portfolios and pursue category expansion

How capital markets conditions, persistent cost pressures, questions around tariff and trade, geopolitical uncertainty, and shifting regulatory expectations are influencing deal sentiment, valuations, and transaction timing

Which food and beverage sub-segments are drawing the most attention and what consumer trends are fueling entrepreneurship, investment, and acquisition activity

How private equity firms are approaching the market, including platform strategy, diligence priorities, negotiation trends, risk tolerance, consumer data analysis, and valuation discipline

Perspectives on the strength of the M&A market through the remainder of 2026 and how companies can best prepare for a potential sale, investment, or strategic partnership

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Sponsored by:

BMO
Food, Consumer and Agribusiness Group

Whether you’re a producer, processor, retailer or distributor every company throughout the food and beverage continuum needs a financial partner that understands the factors that impact their business. From emerging consumer trends and industry consolidation, to commodity fluctuations and economic cyclicality, BMO’s Food, Consumer, and Agribusiness Group understands the issues affecting your company and are dedicated to serving the entire food and beverage industry – from farm to consumer.

To learn more about how we can help, visit http://commercial.bmo.com/food.

John Carey Siegler

BMO Capital Markets Managing Director and Head of Food, Consumer, and Retail Middle Market M&A

John Carey Siegler is a Managing Director and Head of Food, Consumer, and Retail Middle Market M&A at BMO Capital Markets. Mr. Siegler has been an investment banker for more than 35 years. Prior to his role at BMO, John was a Managing Director at Cascadia Capital, Piper Jaffray, Dain Raucher Wessels and Volpe Brown & Whelen, where he ran each firm’s private placement group and consumer/retail investment banking teams. Additionally, he founded and served as a managing partner for Capital Run LLC, which was merged into D.A. Davidson. Previously he was at Montgomery Securities and Paine Webber, Inc. in San Francisco.

Mr. Siegler has worked as a financial strategic advisor to leading food/beverage, consumer, technology, and retail/restaurant companies. He has advised on IPO’s, private placements, fairness opinions, and merger and acquisition transactions for a broad variety of companies including Nature Nate’s, Harvest Food Group, Qualitek, Three Bears Alaska, Vero Water, Ebbets Field Flannels, Black Bear Diner, Rogue Creamery, Bubbies Mochi, La Tortilla Factory, Mod Pizza, Cabela’s, Organic to Go, Pacific Coast Restaurants, Gart Sports, Wycoff Farms, Cool Cuts 4 Kids, Zoots, LeeAnn Chin, House of Blues, Seattle Hospitality, Image-X, Blue Rhino, Rosella’s Fruit & Produce, Tweeter, Crocs, Guitar Centers, Wild Oats Markets, Rainforest Café, Rock Bottom Restaurants, Cross Town Trader, Nordstrom.com, and WeddingChannel.com.

He graduated from Princeton University in 1977 and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 1982.

Todd Giles

BMO Managing Director and Group Head of Food, Consumer & Agribusiness

Todd Giles is the Managing Director and Group Head of Food, Consumer & Agribusiness team at BMO. In his current role, he leads a team of financial professionals in the delivery of financial and strategic advisory services for global corporate clients across key industry verticals including protein, dairy, commodities, wine/spirits, beverage, & franchise. He brings 30 years of experience in financial services and is dedicated to cultivating long-term partnerships with clients that drive growth, optimize capital structures, and enhance shareholder value.

A strategic leader, Todd has orchestrated significant growth throughout his tenure by refining BMO’s go-to-market strategy, establishing separate industry verticals to drive specialization, and implementing strategic initiatives that drive revenue growth.

Prior to his current role, Todd led BMO’s Atlanta Commercial Banking office, which he established and grew from inception starting in 2012. There he managed a team of junior bankers dedicated to middle-market clients, with a specialized focus on the Food, Consumer, and Agribusiness sectors. His leadership in the region was the growth engine for BMO to expand its Commercial Banking efforts that now includes over 40 bankers.

A firm believer in empowering individuals to reach their full potential, Todd fosters a strong culture focused on strengthening internal capabilities through engaged mentorship and coaching.

Before transitioning to commercial banking, Todd worked in investment banking for over a decade. While at J.P. Morgan and BMO, he developed his strategic analysis and expertise in capital structure that has been instrumental throughout his career.

Beyond his professional career, Todd is passionate about mentoring the next generation of finance professionals. For over 15 years, he has mentored Morehouse College students, helping over 60 graduates secure positions at BMO. He also is a guest instructor at Morehouse and is dedicated to increasing exposure to finance and banking for students of color. Deeply committed to his community, Todd serves on the Boards of the Metro Atlanta Chamber and Youth Villages.

Todd holds a Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration from Vanderbilt University and earned his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Morehouse College. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), he is a member of the AICPA and the Georgia Society of CPAs.

Outside of work, Todd is an avid car enthusiast and enjoys repairing, restoring, and racing, with a particular love for vintage models. He has been married to his wife, Tanya, for 20 years and they enjoy life in Milton Georgia and Chicago with their two children.

Chris Campbell

Vice President of Content and Insights at The Food Institute

Chris Campbell has been with The Food Institute since 2015, and currently serves as Vice President of Content and Insights. He helps lead content direction across the company’s written, video, and podcast content. Additionally, he is the host of The Food Institute Podcast and Food for Thought Leadership and acts as moderator for a variety of the company's webinars, seminars, and livestream events. Chris has covered several elements of the industry in his time with The Food Institute, including markets analysis, regulatory issues, mergers and acquisitions, and demographic reviews, giving him a comprehensive view of the state of the industry. Chris is an alumnus of Rutgers University.