Sara Lee Strengthens European Coffee Business
Sara Lee and its Norwegian joint venture partner, Kaffehuset Friele, have agreed to acquire the House of Coffee business, a leading food service provider of beverage solutions to offices and institutions in Norway and Denmark, from ISS for an undisclosed sum. The deal is subject to regulatory approval but is expected to close before the end of 2011.
Sara Lee owns approximately 45% of Kaffehuset Friele, the leading coffee company in Norway. Through this joint venture, Sara Lee successfully sells products such as Senseo coffee pods and Cafitesse liquid coffee in the Norwegian market. In Denmark, Sara Lee owns Merrild, the country’s number-one coffee brand. The acquisition of House of Coffee will help Kaffehuset Friele and Sara Lee strengthen their positions across various out-of-home channels in both countries.
“As we prepare for the launch of our successful pure-play coffee company, we continue to strengthen our positions in important markets that will be key to both our success and the success of our partners,” says Jan Bennink, executive chairman of Sara Lee.
