Hostess Brands, Inc.
Where's The Cake?
Hostess Brands, Inc., the maker of Twinkies and Wonder Bread filed Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection in Janurary 2012. This is the second trip to bankruptcy court for this company in less than ten years (Chapter 22). Interstate Bakeries originally filed for bankruptcy protection in 2004 and emerged from in 2009 (See attached research reports).
Hostess has 565 distribution centers, 570 stores, 5500 delivery routes and 33 bakeries. Brands include: Twinkies, Ho Hos, Sno Balls, Donettes, Ring Dings, Ding Dongs, Drakes, Wonder Bread, Natures Pride, Dolly Madison, Butternut, Home Pride and Merita.
After giving unions, debtors and lenders a last chance to try to work issues out, the Hostess judge approved the liquidation of Hostess Brands, Inc., costing thousands of jobs.
Someone will likely produce Twinkies again. The brands, bakeries, distribution network and workers are valuable. The company was unhealthy not necessarily the food. The hostess liquidation should attract hungry buyers both strategic and private equity or distressed debt investors looking for this companies venerable brands, without the baggage from the unions and old bakeries and dated equipment.
The DIP lenders have agreed to allow the Company access to the original $75 million to fund the sale and wind down.
Stephen P. Vlahos
Research is provided by Performance Plus Advisors, Inc. To obtain research on Hostess Brands or any other company that we follow contact us at 727-441-1305 ext 201
Download Interstateredated10-06-04
Download Interstatereportdated02-16-05