The Hershey Company has entered an agreement to acquire ONE Brands, LLC, which makes a line of low-sugar, high-protein nutrition bars, for $397 million.
 
The acquisition is expected to enable Hershey to provide a competitive offering of brands in the nutrition bar category. ONE Brands will complement the company’s existing Oatmega business, which was acquired as part of the 2018 deal for Amplify Snack Brands, Inc., and its recent investment in FULFIL Holdings limited, a European leader in vitamin-fortified, high-protein bars. Hershey intends to expand the existing ONE Brands offerings by leveraging its core capabilities in sales and distribution, category management, and digital commerce.
 
“ONE’s portfolio of great tasting nutrition bars, with indulgent flavors such as Birthday Cake, Maple Glazed Doughnut and Peanut Butter Pie, will be a strong strategic fit within our overall innovative snacking powerhouse vision,” said Mary Beth West, Hershey’s chief growth officer. “Our beloved confection brands will continue to be the engine that drives our business while we broaden our better-for-you portfolio, offering more snacking choices for more consumers.”
 
“We’re proud of the brand we built and look forward to continuing to build on our momentum with the strength and capabilities that Hershey can provide,” said Ron McAfee, founder, ONE Brands, LLC.
 
“Our consumer proposition, brand equity and team provide us with confidence, especially when combined with an industry leader like Hershey,” said Peter Burns, CEO, ONE Brands, LLC.   
 
ONE Brands purchase price is $397 million, or approximately $325 million net of tax benefits. The transaction will be financed with cash on hand as well as short-term borrowings. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2019, subject to customary regulatory approvals and other closing conditions. ONE Brands acquisition is expected to be slightly accretive to earnings in the first full year post closing.
 
ONE Brands, formerly known as Oh Yeah! Nutrition was founded in 1999 by McAfee. The company, currently backed by Cavu Venture Partners, has roots in sports nutrition and has been focused on formulating high protein snack bars that deliver on taste, texture, and ingredients.