Metcalfe’s skinny Ltd and Kettle Chips UK have announced a business partnership.

The 26% stake investment will help Metcalfe’s skinny with strategic and financial infrastructure to maximise the growth potential of the brand in the UK and Europe.

The Metcalfe’s skinny existing management team will continue to operate the company independently, in partnership with the influential support of Kettle Chips.

Metcalfe’s skinny has seen a growth of +67.4% YoY, according to Nielsen, and now has the highest share and widest national distribution amongst premium popcorn brands in the UK snacking market.

The brand’s co-owners Julian Metcalfe and Robert Jakobi said: “We are very excited about the opportunity to expand the Metcalfe’s skinny brand with the support and expertise of the Kettle organisation. This is a positive step that we know will not only showcase the brand’s potential but will benefit our customers in the long term too.”

Kettle Chips UK managing director Ashley Hicks said Metcalfe’s skinny is an ”incredibly innovative, dynamic, fast-growing, premium brand appealing to ‘foodie’ consumers looking for lighter great tasting snacks”.

He said: ”We look forward to a long term working relationship with the management team to support their future growth ambitions in the on-trend, high growth popcorn snack category.”