For years, marketers of new protein drinks positioned as meal replacements have pointed to sleepy brands like Slim-Fast as potentially easy pickings at retail. But could Slim-Fast be due for jolt of entrepreneurial energy at last? Unilever disclosed this afternoon that it's sold majority stake of Slim-Fast biz to Dallas-based Kainos Capital, successor firm to Hicks Muse whose food investments over years have included likes of Pinnacle Foods, Swift & Co, Ghirardelli Chocolate, Earthbound Farm and Milk Specialties Global - which has supplied whey protein to customers like Muscle Milk. Unilever plans on holding onto minority piece of Slim-Fast, which includes line of protein shakes and has dialed up activity lately with new items like Greek yogurt-based entries. Kainos has named Chris Tisi, ceo of Healthy Delights, to serve as ceo of Slim-Fast, reported Food Business News. Tisi had teamed up with Kainos just in May to collaborate on seeking M&A opportunities, via Tisi's Lifeagen Bio Sciences of Florida, whose holdings include Healthy Delights. "This is a great opportunity to grow the Slim-Fast brand, which already benefits from the highest aided and unaided brand awareness in the weight management category," said Chris. He said he plans to work with retailers to drive "consumer engagement with dynamic marketing support and new product innovation." Deal continues run of M&A activity that's seen Hormel pick up Muscle Milk marketer CytoSport, Lassonde pick up Apple & Eve and Brynwood Partners pick up Juicy Juice just in past 8 days.