The healthy cereal bar business, which launched in 2016, unexpectedly lost its main co-packer in 2022 and then struggled to find an operator that could produce the cold-pressed bars it requires.

The new Winchester factory can initially produce 21 million bars a year in one shift with the added ability to add another line if required. The new factory is also 100% nut-free allowing Boka to make the nut-free claim on its packaging. The business has also expanded its team by 17 to help operate and run the factory.

Franco Beer, founder of BOKA Foods said: “We couldn’t find a manufacturer that could produce our Boka bars to a high enough standard, so we decided we’d do it ourselves! Converting a warehouse into a fully functioning, Salsa-approved factory in the space of seven months, has been a real labour of love but we’re so proud of what we’ve achieved. Boka has already started work on obtaining BRC accreditation by July 2025.  

“We now control the whole manufacturing process which allows us to produce exceptional quality bars, as well as ramping up our innovation pipeline. It also gives us capacity to co-pack for other food brands. This is an area I am keen to explore as I know how difficult it is finding a manufacturer with the skills to be able to make consistently good quality bars at the right price.”

Boks was born after its founder Franco Beer couldn’t find healthy snacks for his children’s lunchboxes. He spent six years innovating and developing a healthier cereal bar which was low in sugar, fat and salt, was under 100 calories a bar and most importantly, still tasted delicious.

Boka bars (30g) are available in four flavours; Apple & Cinnamon, Strawberry, Choco Mallow and Caramel.