Mondelēz International Acquires Enjoy Life Foods

Global snacking powerhouse Mondelēz International has acquired Enjoy Life Foods, the Schiller Park, Ill.-based leader in the $12 billion "free from" market. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

According to Mark Clouse, chief growth officer at Deerfield, Ill.-based Mondelēz, "The Enjoy Life brand expands our portfolio into faster growing, on-trend, 'better-for-you' areas and provides an excellent platform to make these delicious offerings available to consumers with 'free-from' needs or simply looking for healthy-lifestyle options, both in the United States and beyond."

The newly acquired line from Enjoy Life includes more than 40 types of allergy-friendly and gluten-free cookies, chocolate, snacks bars and savory snacks, all of which are free from wheat, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, egg, soy, fish and shellfish - the eight most common allergens in the U.S.

Mondelēz will operate the company as a separate, wholly-owned subsidiary; Scott Mandell, CEO and founder of Enjoy Life will continue to lead the company following the acquisition, and Enjoy Life employees will remain with the company.

"As we combine our great brand, market leadership and passion for our consumers with the global resources, scale and marketing expertise of Mondelēz International, I'm confident this relationship will enable us to reach even greater heights," Mandell said in a statement.

In a supplier letter distributed today, Mandell further noted that the acquisition will assist Enjoy Life in product innovation and expansion, and global distribution.

With 2014 revenue of $34 billion, Mondelēz International Inc. is a global leader in biscuits, chocolate, gum, candy, coffee and powdered beverages, with popular brands such as Oreo, Nabisco, Cadbury and Trident, among others.