Kellogg's Reportedly In Talks To Sell Legacy Cereal Company To Chocolate Maker Ferrero

Michigan Advance

July 10, 2025

Battle Creek staple WK Kellogg, maker of Kellogg’s cereal brands and other breakfast foods, could soon be owned by Italian chocolate maker Ferrero – a $3 billion deal that could be finalized as soon as this week.

News of the deal was first reported by The Wall Street Journal, and shares in the company rose more than 50% after the story was published on Wednesday, CNBC reported.

The company’s potential sale could mean further consolidation of the packaged foods market, due mostly to market pressures caused by inflation and consumers moving to healthier breakfast foods over sugary cereals.

WK Kellogg recently split into two, becoming a standalone company – WK Kellogg Co – in 2023, while the other venture was renamed as Kellanova, which oversees production of brands like Pringles and Cheez-It.

CNBC also reported that Mars, maker of M&M and other staple chocolate brands, agreed to purchase Kellanova last year, but the deal has not been finalized.

Ferrero’s move to purchase WK Kellogg would mark the company’s wider effort to grow in the U.S. market, as it is already the third-largest candy company in the nation.

Kellogg shareholders would still need to sign off on the deal, which is expected. It’s unknown how the deal would affect the approximately 700 Michigan employees of the company.

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