Kellogg Co. Buys Pringles Business from Proctor & Gamble

The Kellogg Co. has entered into an agreement to acquire Procter & Gamble's Pringles business for $2.695 billion. Kellogg officials said Pringles is an excellent strategic fit for Kellogg Company. It significantly advances the company's goal of building a global snacks business on par with its global cereal business. They said that Pringles' brand strength will complement its snacks brands, most notably Keebler, Cheez-It and Special K Cracker Chips The companies expect to complete the transaction this summer.

Pringles is the world's second largest player in savory snacks with $1.5 billion in sales across more than 140 countries and manufacturing operations in the U.S., Europe and Asia.

Pantry Names Former Lowe’s Food Stores Executive To Lead Company

The Pantry of Cary, N.C announced last week that Dennis Hatchell will become president and chief executive officer of the company effective March 5, Mr. Hatchell previously served as vice chairman of Alex Lee of Hickory, N.C, a holding company of Lowe’s Food Stores, Merchant Distributors and Institution Food House.

He will succeed Edwin Jolman who has served as interim chief executive officer since Terrance Marks resigned as chief executive officer in October of 2011. Mr. Holman will remain in his position as chairman of the Board of Directors.

Mr. Hatchell has 39 years of experience in the grocery business. He has also served as group vice president of merchandising and store operations from 1986 to 1989 for the H.E. Butt Grocery Co, in San Antonio, Texas.

In other news last week, The Pantry put 37 stores located in nine states throughout the Southeast up for sale. The facilities are in a variety of markets in Alabama (2), Florida (4), Georgia (4), Kentucky (1), Mississippi (1), North Carolina (13), South Carolina (6), Tennessee (1) and Virginia (5) The properties include four owned and 33 leased locations. All are operating convenience stores with gasoline.

NRC Realty & Capital Advisors LLC, Chicago, is assisting with the sale using its "buy one, some, or all" sealed-bid sale process with a bid deadline of March 20, 2012. As of Feb. 3, the company operated 1,618 stores in 13 states under select banners, including Kangaroo Express, its primary operating banner.

NACS Café Joins NRA Show

The NACS Center for Achieving Foodservice Excellence (NACS CAFÉ) Education Director Nancy Caldarola will moderate at session at the 2012 National Restaurant Show.

Produced by the National Restaurant Association, the NRA Show annually draws 58,000-plus attendees, all seeking or showcasing the newest innovations and up-to-the-minute information about trends and issues. This years NRA Show will take place May 5 to 8 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

Ms. Caldarola will moderate the May 8 session, "Foodservice: The C-Store Game Changer", and focus on the future of foodservice offerings in convenience stores, as well as the importance of cost controls, inventory management and the value of tapping into the growing demand for freshly prepared food away from home.

"Our industry's involvement in the NRA Show is a testament to just how far convenience stores have come in foodservice, both in terms of best practices and reputation," said Ms. Caldarola. Speakers for the session include Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of research and knowledge for the National Restaurant Association; and Joseph Chiovera, vice president of foodservice for Alimentation Couche-Tard, Circle K Stores Inc NACS CAFÉ also will have a kiosk in the Power of Partnership Pavilion to visit with NACS members and others in the convenience store industry.

Latest Word in C-Store News...

• Mars announced last week that will stop selling chocolate products with more than 250 calories by the end of 2013. Mars is making a broader push for responsible snacking. For health and nutrition Mars also said it will reduce sodium levels in all its products by 2015.

• According to the Pennsylvania Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Assn., three Ohio Congressmen have introduced a bill that will allow states to commercialize interstate rest areas. The association said this legislation would be a "jobs killer" for small business because it would force small business petroleum marketers along interstates to compete with government rest areas in "their advantageous location on the right of way."