29 Jan 2024

Sara Lee being sold after entering voluntary administration last year

8:03 pm on 29 January 2024
Sara Lee has gone into voluntary administration.

The company appointed as Sara Lee's voluntary administrator in 2023, FTI Consulting, has agreed to sell Sara Lee's Australian and New Zealand businesses to a private company. Photo: RNZ / Danielle Clent

Dessert manufacturer Sara Lee is being sold after it went into voluntary administration last October.

The company appointed as Sara Lee's voluntary administrator in 2023, FTI Consulting, has agreed to sell Sara Lee's Australian and New Zealand businesses to a private company owned by Klark and Brooke Quinn.

The Quinn family has also been involved in the purchase of confectionary maker Darrell Lea out of voluntary administration in 2012 and its subsequent turnaround.

Administrators said the sale of the business was a successful and competitive process that has saved more than 200 jobs.

"Staff and consumers have rallied behind the business during this tough time, and we are so grateful to the loyal workforce and management team who have made this process a success while they have continued to produce amazing products," administrator Vaughan Strawbridge said.

"We have enjoyed working with the Sara Lee team and are pleased to see them come through this process. Many staff have been with Sara Lee a long time and we have seen their passion for the business."

The sale is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.

Sara Lee has been producing frozen desserts such as cheesecakes, pies and ice cream for more than 50 years.

- This story was first published by ABC