The Italian food giant Ferrero is expanding its North American portfolio by acquiring WK Kellogg, known for iconic brands like Froot Loops, Rice Krispies and Corn Flakes. Ferrero, known for brands like Nutella and Kinder, announced it will buy WK Kellogg’s for $23 a share, representing a total enterprise value of $3.1 billion.

U.S. sales of the colorfully packaged morning staple have been in a decades-long decline, a trend back in the spotlight with news that Italian confectioner Ferrero Group plans to purchase WK Kellogg, maker of Corn Flakes, Froot Loops, Rice Krispies and other familiar brands.

WK Kellogg Co’s headquarters is in Battle Creek. After the transaction closes, Battle Creek will remain a core location for the company and will be Ferrero’s headquarters for North America cereal, a news release from WK Kellogg states.

Italy's Ferrero has continued its U.S. spending spree with its proposed acquisition of famous cereal maker WK Kellogg amid wider food manufacturer consolidation.

The creator of a number of breakfast-table staples is getting a new owner as Ferrero Group and WK Kellogg Co. have announced a deal that will see Kellogg folded into the corporate parent of such brands as Nutella, Tic Tac, Butterfinger, Baby Ruth, Famous Amos, and Bomb Pop.

Kellogg, the maker of such brands as Frosted Flakes, Froot Loops, Rice Krispies and Raisin Bran, began business in 1906 as the Battle Creek Toasted Corn Flake Co., before becoming Kellogg Toasted Corn Flake Co. in 1909.

The Australian sharemarket dipped on Friday morning, as increases in mining shares were offset by falls among the banks and consumer stocks.

WK Kellogg shares rose by more than 50% in after-hours trading in New York after the reports. WK Kellogg and Ferrero did not immediately respond to BBC requests for comment. Kellogg has been struggling financially in recent years despite a major shakeup in 2023 that saw it focus solely on breakfast cereals.