BERKELEY, CALIF. — Annie’s, Inc., a natural and organic food company, has priced its initial public offering of 5 million shares of common stock at $19 per share. The common stock begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange today under the ticker symbol “BNNY,” opening at $31.11 a share and changing hands at $32.64 by late morning.
As part of the i.p.o., Annie’s is offering 950,000 shares, while 4,050,000 shares are being offered by selling stockholders. In addition, certain selling stockholders have granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 750,000 shares to cover over-allotments, if any. Annie’s said it will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling stockholders.
The company expects to receive net proceeds, after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by Annie’s, of approximately $11.6 million. Net proceeds will be used to pay $1.3 million in connection with the termination of Annie’s advisory services agreement and to repay a portion of the company’s indebtedness under its credit facility.
Founded in 1989, Annie’s offers more than 125 products, which are available in more than 25,000 retail locations in the United States and Canada. The company sells packaged goods such as boxed macaroni and cheese, and has the No. 1 natural and organic market position in four product lines: its mac and cheese, snack crackers, fruit snacks and graham crackers.
Independent manufacturers make all of Annie’s products. During fiscal 2011, the company said its three largest contract manufacturers were Philadelphia Macaroni Co., Lucerne Foods and Chelten House Products, which manufactured meals, snacks and dressings and condiments, respectively.