US Food and Beverage Pulse Q4 2025

Lower deal volume doesn’t mean lower opportunity for Food & Beverage businesses looking to embark on an M&A process.

As consumer preferences shift, Food & Beverage companies are repositioning for a new phase of strategic activity and growth.

As US and global transaction volumes have declined year-on-year due to supply chain pressures and shifting consumer preferences, the sector has begun to adapt, becoming more selective, more strategic, and more operationally focused. With greater emphasis on innovation and premiumisation, companies pivot from cost control to proactive growth strategies.

In this quarter’s Food & Beverage M&A Pulse, we explore:

• Why automation and operational efficiency are becoming key value drivers
• The structural shift in alcohol consumption trends
• A potential sector rebound in 2026