Reddi-wip whipped cream owner Conagra Brands has approached Pinnacle Foods, the maker of packaged foods such as Vlasic pickles, to express interest in an acquisition, people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.
Conagra’s approach shows that Pinnacle Foods remains an acquisition target, three years after its $4.3 billion sale to Hillshire Brands was canceled after Hillshire agreed to sell itself to Tyson Foods Inc for $7.7 billion.
Hillshire was led at the time by Sean Connolly, who is now chief executive of Conagra. His second attempt at an acquisition of Pinnacle Foods underscores the need for further consolidation in the frozen food and condiments sectors, as sales continue to decline with consumers opting for healthier choices.
Conagra’s approach to Pinnacle Foods took place in the last few weeks, the sources said. There is no certainty that Pinnacle Foods will choose to engage, or that Conagra will pursue a potential deal further, the sources said on Wednesday.
The sources asked not to be identified because the matter is confidential. Conagra, which has a market value of $16.2 billion, declined to comment. Pinnacle Foods, which has a market value of $7.2 billion, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Chicago, Illinois-based Conagra, whose brands include Frontera salsa and Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn, has been seeking to reinvent itself since selling its private label unit for $2.7 billion in 2016 to focus on its branded food business.
Last year it spun off its $6.9 billion frozen potato business, Lamb Weston Holdings Inc. It has also divested a number of its smaller underperforming brands, and this week agreed to sell its Wesson oil brand to Folgers coffee maker J.M. Smucker for $285 million.
Parsippany, New Jersey-based Pinnacle, whose brands include Duncan Hines baking products and Birds Eye frozen vegetables, has made a push towards healthier offerings. It bought Boulder Brands, owner of Udi’s Gluten Free Bread, for $975 million last year.
Conagra and Pinnacle Foods are among the companies weighing offers for Reckitt Benckiser Group’s North American food business, estimated to be worth around $3 billion, Reuters reported earlier on Wednesday.
By Lauren Hirsch and Greg Roumeliotis
Source: Reuters
PepsiCo has implemented a significant restructuring of its executive leadership team, with six promotions and three high-profile departures. The moves signal the company’s strategic prioritisation of emerging markets and operational consolidation across its global food divisions.
McEvoy succeeds current president and CEO, Don Thorp, who plans to retire following a 42-year tenure leading the business. Thorp has now begun an onboarding and handover process with McEvoy, who officially joined the company on 10 March 2025.
Taffet has spent the past nearly 18 years at PepsiCo, Inc., most recently as senior vice president of marketing. She also has spent time in brand marketing and management positions for PepsiCo’s Frito Lay, Lipton, Aquafina and SoBe brands. Prior to PepsiCo she was a marketing manager at American Express.
