General Merchandise/HBC

Hostess Making Bread, Buns Again

Twinkies maker targeting convenience stores, drug stores with longer-shelf-life products

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Snack cake maker Hostess Brands LLC is expanding into the bread and bun market under the Hostess brand, according to a report by Baking Business.

Hostess bread buns

Kansas City, Mo.-based Hostess Brands owns the Twinkies, CupCakes, Ding Dongs, Ho Hos, Zingers, Suzy Q's, Sno Balls, Donettes, Fruit Pie and other snack-cake brands.

Hostess Brands is selling bread and buns with shelf life of two months or longer targeted for sale in drug stores and convenience stores that have limited food selection and also are carrying the company’s Twinkies and other sweet goods, said the report, citing trade sources.

While executives at Hostess Brands declined to comment, Hostess-brand white and wheat bread and hot dog and hamburger buns have been found in Walgreens, the publication said.

Private-equity firms Apollo Global Management LLC and C. Dean Metropoulos & Co. bought Hostess Brands out of bankruptcy for $410 million in March 2013.

Flowers Foods Inc. acquired the Wonder, Merita, Home Pride, Butternut and Nature's Pride bread brands from Hostess Brands in July 2013.

Apollo Global Management and C. Dean Metropoulos are now looking to sell Hostess Brands. Post Foods LLC, Grupo Bimbo, Flowers Foods and Aryzta are reportedly among the interested parties.

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