Tender Belly LLC, Denver, Colo., received an investment from Encore Consumer Capital, a San Francisco-based private equity firm, to grow its premium bacon and pork product line.

“We started Tender Belly to do things the right way, not the easy way, and we’re excited to partner with Encore to continue along that path,” says Shannon Duffy, founder and CEO of Tender Belly. “With Encore’s support, resources and industry expertise, we’ll be able to continue to grow Tender Belly into the leading brand of bacon and pork, while making sure everyone has access to our products. I am particularly excited to be adding two experienced industry executives to my board of directors—Jim Skidmore, a former board member who led acquisitions and integration of multiple brands to create Coleman Natural Foods, the largest domestic organic and antibiotic-free protein company; and Jeff Swain, the former CEO of Coleman Natural Foods and later Niman Ranch prior to its sale to Perdue Farms.”

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with Shannon and Erik [Duffy, co-founder] to grow Tender Belly,” adds Robert Brown, managing director at Encore Consumer Capital. “We have great confidence that the entire team will grow Tender Belly to become the leading premium bacon offering in grocery stores and restaurants across the country.”