New funding and acquisitions in the UK pet sector target expansion into mainland Europe

Money flew in two directions across the European pet market last week: while investment company Verlinvest and venture capital firm Five Seasons Ventures (FSV) made a growth investment in the Nottingham-based fresh pet food producer Years, the UK’s Burgess Pet Care acquired Germany’s Bunny Nature.

Although fundamentally different due to the nature of the agreements and the investing companies, the projects share two aspects in common: both involve British companies seeking entry into the European market and using synergies to expand distribution capacity.

GlobalPETS spoke with the companies to learn more about their plans and investment strategies. 

Retail expansion 

The ‘unusual’ combination of a “genuinely differentiated nutrition product, proven DTC success and a retail model with real structural advantages over traditional offerings” is what motivated the interest in Years, Anaïs Jollivet, Senior Principal at Verlinvest, tells GlobalPETS.

The investors are betting on the company’s ‘pantry-fresh’ technology, which extends the shelf life of fresh food, to bring convenience to pet owners and facilitate entry into retail networks. “We believe the future of the category is truly omnichannel,” Ivan Farneti, Managing Partner at FSV, adds.

In 2025, Years – which previously operated only through personalized direct-to-consumer subscriptions – also entered the UK retail market. In early 2026, the producer signed a national distribution agreement with Pets at Home, betting on this model to leverage its partner’s customer base.

With the funding, Years wants to do the same with European pet specialists, starting with companies in the Verlinvest portfolio in Germany and the Benelux region. According to Jollivet, “Years already has a strong track record to build on: 80%+ year-over-year growth and a whopping 12.5+ million personalized meals shipped since launching in 2023.”

The company’s AI-native model, which embeds artificial intelligence across acquisition, personalization and retention, also drew investor attention. “It means they’re getting smarter with every customer interaction, and that compounds as the business scales and allows them to offer very tailored customer journeys,” she adds.

Multiplied capacity

Years’ CEO Darren Beale says the investment is also focused on accelerating UK retail rollout and investment in manufacturing capacity and process improvements.

“We’re planning on expanding our operational footprint from 26,000 to 69,000 square feet; that’s a 165% increase in space,” he tells GlobalPETS. “But the more important number is capacity: because of efficiencies we’re building in, we expect that to translate into roughly 4x our current output.”

Going forward, the producer wants to keep launching new meals, but it will also focus on improving its existing recipe range. With broader availability, Farneti sees opportunities not only among fresh-food-converted consumers but also pet owners who rely on both dry and wet options. 

International distribution

The UK pet food manufacturer Burgess Pet Care acquired the German small-animal nutrition brand Bunny Nature in what became its largest international deal to date, marking a further step in its global growth strategy. The acquisition was completed through an asset purchase process.

The move comes amid growing difficulties for British companies in trading with the European Union. “We can’t pretend that Brexit hasn’t made trading in Europe more challenging for British businesses. While we have continued to grow our international business, investing directly within the EU was ultimately the stronger commercial decision,” Managing Director Mark Womersley tells GlobalPETS.

One of Burgess’ objectives is to introduce its products through existing distribution networks and operational platforms, while strengthening relationships with European retailers and distributors. 

“Bunny Nature is known for its high-quality small animal feeds, with established distribution spanning the EU, North America and Asia. Its international footprint provides Burgess with immediate access to a broader customer base,” the company says.

Growth by acquisitions

With the new company, Burgess’ international sales now account for 35% of group revenue, up from 10% previously, according to Womersley. In real numbers, it means a jump from £2.5 million ($3.3M/€2.9M) to £12.5 million ($16.7M/€14.6M). 

Growth by external investment is not new to the British producer: recently, it purchased natural dog food brand Green Pantry and invested in fresh dog food subscription business Tuggs.

“The Burgess Group is very much in acquisition mode and has ambitious plans to continue growing over the coming years,” the Managing Director says. “While every opportunity has to be the right strategic and cultural fit, we continue to actively look for businesses that strengthen our portfolio, broaden our capabilities and support our long-term vision.” 

The future

Bunny Nature will remain a distinct brand, preserving its German identity, customer base and existing senior leadership. The label will complement the Burgess Excel brand, which is dedicated to small animal nutrition. “We see clear opportunities to invest, to grow and to build a truly global small animal nutrition company,” Womersley says. 

He adds there are still untapped growth markets across Europe. Burgess plans to expand its own offering in markets where Bunny Nature is already present, while also entering new countries with products for small animals, dogs and cats.

“Bunny Nature has built a loyal customer base and strong reputation across multiple markets,” Managing Director Oliver Petzoldt says. “Burgess brings both expertise and long-term commitment, and we’re looking forward to continuing to grow the brand together.” 

Strengthening European investment 

The latest developments reflect a broader momentum in the region’s dealmaking activity. In the first quarter of 2026, Europe was the most active region for mergers and acquisitions in the pet sector, accounting for more than 4 in every 10 deals, according to a report by investment bank R.L. Hulett.