HANOVER, PA. — Utz Quality Foods, L.L.C. announced its plans to purchase Conagra Brands, Inc.’s direct-store delivery (D.S.D.) snacks business. The transaction includes the Tim’s Cascade Snacks, Hawaiian Snacks, Erin’s, Snyder’s of Berlin and Husman’s brands. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Conagra Brands acquired the business last year when it purchased Pinnacle Foods for $10.9 billion. The snack foods brands were part of the Pinnacle Specialty Foods segment, which had annual sales in 2017 of $325 million (and included other products not included in the Utz transation). While Conagra has a large and growing snacks business, chief executive officer Sean M. Connolly said the brands have more opportunity for growth under an established D.S.D. operator like Utz.
“These brands bring a strong consumer following and unique craft heritage,” said Dylan Lissette, c.e.o. of Utz Quality Foods. “Their distribution and manufacturing capabilities, along with their customer relationships, enhance our ability to further grow our brand portfolio further west.”