Discovery Foods, the UK-based producer of Mexican foods, has hired Stamford Partners to explore a sale of at least part of the business.

James Beaton, who founded the company in 1989, is looking to sell a portion of the company to a private equity buyer, but has not ruled out a complete sale. 

Discovery recorded a turnover of over £40m in 2005 and analysts predict that the business could fetch up to £30m. 

Through its sister company Sonora Foods, Discovery produces 40 tonnes of tortilla chips and six million flour tortillas per week. The business is based in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire and has factories in Daventry and Milton Keynes.