ConAgra Foods, Omaha, Neb., has acquired Woodbury, N.Y.-based American Pie, which manufactures frozen fruit pies, thaw-and-serve pies, fruit cobblers and pie crusts under the licensed Marie Callender’s and Claim Jumper trade names, as well as frozen dinners, pot pies and appetizers under the Claim Jumper brand. The American Pie business will be folded into ConAgra Foods’ existing Marie Callender’s frozen business in its consumer foods segment. The company currently sells pot pies, frozen dinners and entrées under the licensed Marie Callender’s name.
“Acquiring the Marie Callender’s retail dessert pie business will allow us to establish a strong presence in frozen dessert by leveraging fully the power of the Marie Callender’s brand across the frozen case,” said Gary Rodkin, CEO of ConAgra Foods. “Marie Callender got her start selling pies, and the brand has a very strong equity with consumers. We look forward to continuing to grow the business by leveraging brand synergies and investing in its relationship with consumers and customers.”
The deal includes a Torrance, Calif., production facility and all of American Pie’s 125 employees.