General Mills to Acquire 50% of Yoplait

Under the proposed transaction, General Mills will partner with Sodiaal in expanding and growing the Yoplait brand and businesses in France, Europe and around the world.

3/18/2011 --- General Mills announced that it has entered into exclusive negotiations with PAI Partners and Sodiaal to purchase interests in Yoplait S.A.S., and affiliated companies.

General Mills’ binding offer includes a controlling role in the operating company and a 50 percent interest in the entity which owns Yoplait and related brands.

Negotiations are in progress, and consultation procedures with the respective works’ councils are being initiated.

Under the proposed transaction, General Mills will partner with Sodiaal in expanding and growing the Yoplait brand and businesses in France, Europe and around the world.

General Mills and Sodiaal have been successful business partners for decades. General Mills has licensed the Yoplait brand since 1977, and is Yoplait’s largest licensee. It has grown its Yoplait business to the clear leadership position in yoghurts in the United States, one of the world’s largest fresh dairy markets.

General Mills has been marketing food products in France for 50 years. Leading General Mills products, including Häagen-Dazs super-premium ice creams and Géant Vert vegetables, are also produced in France.