Irn-Bru maker buys soft drinks rivals in huge £50m deal

Irn-Bru maker AG Barr has snapped up soft drink rivals Fentimans and Frobishers Juices in deals totalling more than £50 million.

The Scottish firm unveiled the acquisitions as it reported a “strong” financial year, with increases in sales and profitability.

AG Barr told shareholders it completed a roughly £38 million deal to buy Fentimans on Monday, in a move funded through a combination of cash and debt.

Meanwhile, it also said it closed a deal at the end of its financial year to January to buy Devon-based juice business Frobishers for £13 million.

Euan Sutherland, chief executive of AG Barr, said: “Our top and bottom-line performance for full-year 2025/26 is in line with expectations, and importantly we have laid strong foundations for future growth.

“We enter FY26/27 with good momentum in our core brands and from the introduction of exciting new products.

“In-line with our strategy of enhancing our organic growth with M&A, we are delighted to announce the acquisitions of Fentimans and Frobishers.”