Entenmann’s cakes could be back in stores by March following a deal between the brand’s Canadian owner George Weston and Leeds baker Country Style Foods.
The deal follows weeks of uncertainty as the £12.8m brand gradually disappeared from shelves following the demise of former supplier Hibernia Foods.
Country Style Foods has acquired the sole licence to manufacture and supply Entenmann’s products in the UK and the Irish Republic. It has also been producing Sara Lee branded frozen
desserts since early January at the former Hibernia Foods plant at Stockton, revealed MD David Wood. “We are currently producing, selling and marketing Sara Lee frozen desserts at Stockton. However, Sara Lee is still deciding whether to take over the sales and marketing function direct,” he said.
Entenmann’s products could be available again in March. New products under the Entenmann’s brand, which showed double-digit growth in 2003, would also be introduced later this year, he added.
Country Style Foods makes part-baked breads, patisserie and doughnuts for retail and food service customers.