Despite a recessionary climate, U.S. sales of ice cream and related frozen desserts (including frozen yogurt and frozen novelties) increased 2 percent to reach $25 billion in 2009.
Berto's Gelato & Sorbet, Phoenix, Ariz., said it purchased Charl's Ice Cream Specialties Inc., a Woburn, Mass., processor supplying the retail and foodservice channels.
Just in time for summer, Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, Oakland, Calif., is introducing Nestlé Delicias frozen dessert paletas (fruit bar novelties) and scoopable dairy desserts (helados).
Looking to grow their Awrey Bakeries LLC business, private investors Hilco Equity Partners, L.P., Northbrook, Ill., and Monomoy Capital Partners L.P., New York City, said they purchased the assets and operations of Atkins Elegant Desserts Inc.
Schwan's Consumer Brands North America Inc., Bloomington, Minn., said it appointed Travis Bautz as vice president in charge of a newly formed Product Innovation team.
Chicken processing giant Pilgrim's Pride Corp., Pittsburg, Texas, said it hired William Snyder, managing partner of CRG Partners Group LLC, Dallas, as chief restructuring officer.