Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher represents Dean Foods Co. of Dallas in its pending purchase of the manufacturing and retail ice cream business owned by Friendly’s Ice Cream for $155 million in cash. Friendly’s, based in Wilbraham, Massachusetts, is using a team from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius.
On May 9, Dean Foods, a food and beverage company, announced it has agreed to the acquisition of the ice cream business from an affiliate of Friendly’s. In addition to acquiring the manufacturing and retail ice cream business, Dean Foods will acquire the Friendly’s trademark and all intellectual property associated with the ice cream business. Friendly’s Restaurants, owned by an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, will license use of the trademark under a licensing agreement entered as part of the transaction.
