Content about Hostess

March 15, 2013

Hostess Brands selects McKee Foods as winning bidder for Drake's snack cake brand

Hostess Brands on Thursday announced that the stalking horse bid submitted by McKee Foods for the Drake's snack cake brand will be presented for approval to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, as no other qualified bids were received for those assets.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Hostess Brands on Thursday announced that the stalking horse bid submitted by McKee Foods for the Drake's snack cake brand will be presented for approval to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, as no other qualified bids were received for those assets.

McKee has agreed to pay $27.5 million for the Drake's brand and certain equipment. Drake's products include Ring Dings, Yodels, Devil Dogs, Yankee Doodles, Sunny Doodles and Drake's Coffee Cake.

February 27, 2013

Reports: Flowers Foods to buy Wonder Bread

According to published reports, Flowers Foods is set to buy Hostess bread brands, including Wonder bread, for $360 million after no other bidder came forward with a competing offer, a source familiar with the sale acknowledged Wednesday.

NEW YORK — According to published reports, Flowers Foods is set to buy Hostess bread brands, including Wonder bread, for $360 million after no other bidder came forward with a competing offer, a source familiar with the sale acknowledged Wednesday.

According to a Reuters report, Hostess, which went bankrupt last year, was scheduled to host an auction on Thursday for the brands — which also include Butternut, Home Pride, Merita and Nature's Pride — but as no other bids were announced, the company will not go through with an auction.

January 28, 2013

Little Debbie cakes maker bids on Hostess brand

McKee Foods, makers of Little Debbie snack cakes, is offering $25 to $30 million for Hostess Brands Inc.'s Drake's brand, according to published reports.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — McKee Foods, makers of Little Debbie snack cakes, is offering $25 to $30 million for Hostess Brands' Drake's brand, according to published reports. Hostess filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January 2012.

January 14, 2013

Hostess announces stalking-horse bidders for bread brands

Hostess Brands has chosen a stalking-horse bidder for its bread business, the bankrupt baking company said.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Hostess Brands has chosen a stalking-horse bidder for its bread business, the bankrupt baking company said.

Hostess, which declared bankruptcy in November 2012 following a long standoff with one of its labor unions, said it had chosen Flowers Foods as the stalking-horse bidder; the company plans to solicit bids from other companies as well.

December 14, 2012

Reports: Kroger, Walmart looking to buy Hostess assets

Kroger and Walmart may be looking to buy up assets from bankrupt food company Hostess Brands, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Kroger and Walmart may be looking to buy up assets from bankrupt food company Hostess Brands, according to published reports.

December 11, 2012

Supervalu's Jewel-Osco creates demand around the 'last shipment' of Twinkies

Fans of "Zombieland" take heart — should the world come to an end, the last Twinkie will be available at a Chicago-area Jewel Osco.

ITASCA, Ill. — Fans of "Zombieland" take heart — should the world come to an end, the last Twinkie will be available at a Chicago-area Jewel Osco.

Jewel-Osco, a Supervalu company, on Monday announced that beginning Tuesday morning the retailer will begin selling what are believed to be the last shipments of Hostess products. More than 20,000 boxes of Twinkies will be sold at regular price through select Chicago-area Jewel-Osco stores, the company stated. "Customers looking for Ding Dongs, Zingers and Orange Cupcakes will also be in luck."

November 16, 2012

Hostess Brands to close down, sell assets

Hostess Brands, the maker of Twinkies and Ho Ho's, is closing down amid a union strike that the company said forced it to halt operations.

IRVING, Texas — Hostess Brands, the maker of Twinkies and Ho Ho's, is closing down amid a union strike that the company said forced it to halt operations.

February 6, 2012

Hostess gives Twinkies brand the chocolate treatment

Hostess is making one of its limited-edition treats a full-time staple.

IRVING, Texas — Hostess is making one of its limited-edition treats a full-time staple.

The company said it has expanded its Twinkies line to include chocolate creme Twinkies. Available in multipack and single-serve options, the new Twinkies item is being rolled out to store shelves nationwide.

Chocolate creme Twinkies were first introduced last spring and have become part of the Hostess portfolio after positive consumer response, the company said.

January 11, 2012

Hostess files for Chapter 11

The maker of Twinkies and Wonder Bread has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.

NEW YORK — The maker of Twinkies and Wonder Bread has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.

Irving, Texas-based Hostess Brands carried $860 million in debt and also faced high labor costs and rising prices for sugar and other ingredients that exceeded its annual sales of about $2.5 billion, according to published reports. Hostess previously filed for bankruptcy protection in 2004 and emerged in 2009.

November 15, 2011

Hostess hosts contest for Donettes brand in line with debut of holiday seasonal packaging

Hostess is launching a contest that invites fans of its Donettes brand to receive a chance to win a grand prize of $2,500, as well as free Donettes for a year.

IRVING, Texas — Hostess is launching a contest that invites fans of its Donettes brand to receive a chance to win a grand prize of $2,500, as well as free Donettes for a year.

September 12, 2011

Seasonal, novelty sweets flavor sales

Consumers still have a sweet tooth despite a sour economy. U.S. confectionery sales at food, drug and mass stores continue to grow at a pace of 4.2%, outpacing overall store sales, according to data from the National Confectioners Association. 

Chocolate is the key growth driver, with sales up nearly 8% in the drug channel, according to SymphonyIRI Group data for the 52-week period ended July 11. Sweet and savory combinations are one of the segment’s top trends, according to NCA.

July 25, 2011

Hostess adds indulgent devil's food flavor to Donettes line

Hostess has added a chocolate-frosted treat to its Donettes line.

IRVING, Texas — Hostess has added a chocolate-frosted treat to its Donettes line.

New frosted devil's food cake Donettes are mini donuts that are dipped in a chocolate-flavored coating and now are available at stores nationwide.

Hostess said its latest Donettes treats can be enjoyed in four convenient sizes, including 10.5-oz. Dunkie bags, 11.25-oz. Dunkie bags, 12.2-oz. Sweet Sixteen Dunkie bags and 3-oz. single-serve sleeves.

June 13, 2011

Hostess celebrates baseball with new promotion

Hostess is kicking off a summer sweepstakes that celebrates America's favorite national pastime.

IRVING, Texas — Hostess is kicking off a summer sweepstakes that celebrates America's favorite national pastime.

The company, whose brands include Drake's Hostess, Wonder and more, said that its "You Could Win A Dream Road Trip" promotion offers three grand prize winners and their families the chance to follow their favorite major league baseball team to a city of their choice. What's more, more than 200 daily prize winners will receive $100 Stub Hub gift cards redeemable for approximately four home game tickets.

May 3, 2011

Hostess makes room for lemon meringue flavor on shelves

Consumers have helped Hostess add a new Twinkie flavor to its lineup.

IRVING, Texas — Consumers have helped Hostess add a new Twinkie flavor to its lineup.

Based on its Hostess Twinkie Mania sweepstakes, the snack brand will debut lemon meringue Twinkies next year for a limited time.

Lemon meringue edged out the raspberry tart, cookies 'n creme and blueberry pie flavors.

April 27, 2011

Hostess celebrates strawberry cupcakes with new promotion

Celebrating the recent launch of its strawberry-flavored cupcakes, Hostess is kicking off a new promotion.

IRVING, Texas — Celebrating the recent launch of its strawberry-flavored cupcakes, Hostess is kicking off a new promotion.

The snacks brand this month commenced its Cupcake Jackpot promotion, which offers consumers the chance to win a grand prize of $10,000, as well as more than 300 daily prizes, including cash, a one-year supply of Hostess cupcakes, Hostess prize packs and Flip Video cameras with skins that feature Hostess' iconic squiggle.

March 21, 2011

Hostess goes retro

Hostess is going "old-school cool."

IRVING, Texas — Hostess is going "old-school cool."

For a limited time, the iconic snack cakes maker's treats, including chocolate cupcakes, Ding Dongs and Ho Hos, will tout retro packaging. Hostess also is bringing back the original banana Twinkie-filling recipe for a limited time.

February 24, 2011

Twinkie gets two limited-edition flavors

Hostess is promoting its classic Twinkie snack with two limited-edition flavors.

IRVING, Texas — Hostess is promoting its classic Twinkie snack with two limited-edition flavors.

As part of Hostess' Twinkie Mania sweepstakes — in which Twinkie fans are being asked to vote for the newest flavor filling — the brand is introducing limited-edition Twinkies with chocolate creme and strawberry and creme fillings. The flavors now are available at retailers nationwide.

February 15, 2011

Hostess tickled pink with strawberry cupcakes

Hostess has added a new member to its line of squiggle-topped cupcakes.

IRVING, Texas — Hostess has added a new member to its line of squiggle-topped cupcakes.

New pink strawberry cupcakes will feature delicious strawberry-flavored icing, Hostess' signature creme filling and the icing squiggle on top.

Each 15-oz. package includes eight individually wrapped cupcakes and will be available at retailers nationwide.

January 4, 2011

SmartBakes streusel cakes hit retail

Hostess is extending its SmartBakes line with a new breakfast cake.

IRVING, Texas — Hostess is extending its SmartBakes line with a new breakfast cake.

SmartBakes streusel cakes, available in cinnamon, raspberry and cheese with an indulgent streusel topping, are baked with 100% whole grains and have 3 g of fiber with 150 calories per serving. Each package of Hostess SmartBakes streusel cakes contains eight individually wrapped streusel cakes.

The SmartBakes line, which Hostess launched last fall, also includes such breakfast staples as muffins.

August 22, 2010

Hostess launches new line of muffins

Hostess is launching a brand of muffins to coincide with the back-to-school season, the baked...

July 20, 2010

Hostess debuts Breakfast Classics

Hostess is getting sweet on breakfast....