Kellogg Company Announces Separation of Two Businesses

Kellogg Company has announced that its Board of Directors has approved a plan to separate its North American cereal and plant-based foods businesses, via tax-free spin-offs, resulting in three independent public companies. The three companies, whose names will be determined later, would be the following:

• “Global Snacking Co.”, with about $11.4 billion in net sales, will be a leading company in global snacking, international cereal and noodles and North America frozen breakfast, with iconic, world-class brands and strong underlying growth momentum and profitability;
• “North America Cereal Co.”, with about $2.4 billion in net sales, will be a leading cereal company in the U.S., Canada and Caribbean, with a portfolio of iconic, world-class brands and compelling opportunities for investment and profit growth; and
• “Plant Co.”, with about $340 million in net sales, will be a leading, profitable, pure-play plant-based foods company, anchored by the MorningStar Farms brand, with a significant opportunity to capitalize on strong long-term category prospects by investing further in North America penetration and future international expansion.

“Kellogg has been on a successful journey of transformation to enhance performance and increase long-term shareowner value. This has included re-shaping our portfolio, and today’s announcement is the next step in that transformation,” said Steve Cahillane, Kellogg Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “These businesses all have significant standalone potential, and an enhanced focus will enable them to better direct their resources toward their distinct strategic priorities. In turn, each business is expected to create more value for all stakeholders, and each is well positioned to build a new era of innovation and growth.”

Global Snacking Co.
The planned separations will result in a Global Snacking Co. that is expected to enhance its leadership position in the global snacking, international cereal and noodles and North America frozen breakfast categories, by focusing investments and capital toward building upon its strong growth momentum and profitability.

Kellogg Company’s three international regions – Europe, Latin America and Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (“AMEA”) – will remain almost entirely intact within Global Snacking Co. Steve Cahillane will remain Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Global Snacking Co.

Outlook

• This business is expected to be a higher-growth company than today’s Kellogg Company, featuring a more growth-oriented portfolio and aided by more focused resources and attention to brand building, innovation and international expansion of world-class brands and to building scale in emerging markets.
• This business is expected to expand profit margins through operating leverage, revenue growth management, productivity and increasing emerging-markets scale.

North America Cereal Co.
The company plans to separate North America Cereal Co. as an independent business through a tax-free spin-off. North America Cereal Co. is a leader in cereal in the US, Canada and Caribbean, with beloved brands, a heritage of innovation and more than a century of operational success. As a standalone company, North America Cereal Co. will have greater strategic focus and operational flexibility and will direct capital and resources toward unlocking growth, regaining category share and restoring and expanding profit margins.

The proposed management team for North America Cereal Co. will be announced at a later date.

Outlook

• Near term, North America Cereal Co. will be focused on the restoration of inventory, profit margins and share position following 2021 supply disruptions.
• Longer term, it will focus resources and strengthen the business through enhancing its portfolio, operating capabilities and productivity.
• This business is expected to generate stable net sales over time, with improving profit margins that will drive profit growth, higher cash flow and increased return on invested capital.

 Plant Co.
The company intends to separate Plant Co. as an independent business through a tax-free spin-off, while also exploring other strategic alternatives, including a possible sale.

Anchored by the leading MorningStar Farms brand, Plant Co. will be a profitable, pure-play, plant-based foods company. This business offers a full portfolio of plant-based offerings across multiple product segments and eating occasions. Kellogg has grown MorningStar Farms steadily since its acquisition more than 20 years ago, and the brand now has the highest share and household penetration in the frozen vegetarian/vegan category.

The proposed management team for Plant Co. will be announced at a later date.

Outlook

• As an independent business, Plant Co. will have the opportunity to build on its strong base of growth and profitability, focusing its resources and investments towards capitalizing on strong category prospects, by building awareness and penetration in North America and expanding internationally in the future.
• The business is expected to accelerate net sales growth over time, from previously disclosed portfolio-segment assumptions. 

Headquarters Locations

North America Cereal Co. and Plant Co. will both remain headquartered in Battle Creek, MI. Global Snacking Co. will maintain dual campuses in Battle Creek and Chicago, IL, with its corporate headquarters located in Chicago. Kellogg Company’s three international regions’ headquarters in Europe, Latin America and AMEA will remain in their current locations.

The company will provide updates throughout the process leading to the transactions. A dedicated website providing ongoing information about the transaction is available here.