JAB Holding Co., the acquisitive European investment fund, is relying on Abernathy MacGregor Group for PR support in its $1.35B acquisiton of donut giant Krispy Kreme.
JAB, based in Luxembourg, plans to take the Winton-Salem, N.C.-based company private in the $21-per-share cash deal, a 25% premium.
AbMac CEO Tom Johnson, who heads the firm's M&A practice, and EVP Pat Tucker represent JAB. AbMac worked with JAB on its $13.9B acquisition of Keurig Green Mountain in December.
Darryl Carr, senior director of corporate comms. for Krispy Kreme, is the company's top PR executive.
Krispy Kreme chiarman Jim Morgan said the sale puts the 80-year-old company "in the best possible position" to continue to serve customers around the world while bringing "significant value" to shareholders.
KK has 1,100 stores in 26 counties.
JAB's diverse companies include Peet's Coffee & Tea, Jimmy Choo (shoes) and Coty (cosmetics).
Peter Harf, a senior partner for JAB, said in a statement: "We feel strongly that Krispy Kreme will benefit greatly from our long-term focus and support for management’s vision in building on the legacy of this exciting brand as an independent standalone entity."
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