Danone Acquires U.S.-based YoCrunch

PARISDanone has acquired YoCrunch, a manufacturer of yogurt with crunchy toppings packaged separately through licensing agreements with brands such as M&Ms and Oreo. The Naugatuck, Conn.-based company has sales of $110 million and sustained double-digit growth in recent years and is a market leader of the yogurt with toppers segment.

The acquisition will advance Danones goal to develop yogurt consumption by expanding the various ways in which Americans can enjoy yogurt. It will strengthen its offer in the United States by widening its range of products. The move also will enable Danone to benefit from YoCrunchs unique expertise in compartmentalized packaging.

In July, Danone announced a strategic agreement with Starbucks Coffee Company to create and develop an exclusive line of Evolution Fresh, Inspired by Dannon-branded specialty yogurt products in participating Starbucks stores and in grocery channels. The move will help Danone expand yogurt consumption in the United States, while growing Starbucks health and wellness offerings for its customers under the companys Evolution Fresh brand.

A new portfolio of Evolution Fresh, Inspired by Dannon-branded ready-to-eat Parfait Greek yogurt products will be co-created by Starbucks and Danone for exclusive distribution in the U.S. Starbucks will offer the products through its stores in Spring 2014, and Danone in grocery channels in 2015. Distribution is planned to be extended to include targeted markets around the world in a second phase that builds upon the success of the U.S. initiative.