EX-99 2 ex99-1.txt EXHIBIT 99.1 Exhibit 99.1 NEWS FROM: COOLBRANDS INTERNATIONAL INC. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 22, 2004 For More Information Contact: Michael Serruya, Co-Chairman CoolBrands International Inc. Email Address: mserruya@coolbrandsinc.com Telephone: (905) 479-8762 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COOLBRANDS AGREES TO PURCHASE BREYERS AND OTHER YOGURT ASSETS FROM KRAFT FOODS CoolBrands International Inc. (TSX: COB.SV.A) ("CoolBrands") announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire the yogurt business of Kraft Foods, Inc. (NYSE: KFT) for approximately US$59 million. The acquired brands include Breyers Fruit on the Bottom, Light and Creme Savers cup yogurt varieties and Creme Savers Smoothie drinkable yogurts. The estimated net revenue for these products in 2004 is approximately US$90 million. Pursuant to the agreement announced today, CoolBrands' wholly owned subsidiary, Integrated Brands, Inc., will purchase substantially all of Kraft's assets related to its yogurt business, including a license for the Breyers trademark, a license for the Creme Savers trademark, a license for the Light `n Lively trademark and Kraft's manufacturing facility in North Lawrence, New York. "Yogurt combines indulgent taste with good nutrition and fits perfectly with our overall portfolio," said CoolBrands' President and Co-Chief Executive Officer, David J. Stein. "CoolBrands has excelled in marketing great-tasting products in the frozen snacks category and acquiring the yogurt business from Kraft will enable us to diversify our snack offerings in the high growth yogurt category." The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval, is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2005. Lehman Brothers served as financial advisor to CoolBrands. About CoolBrands International: CoolBrands International competes in the consumer products and franchising segments of the frozen dessert industry, marketing a diverse range of frozen dessert products under nationally and internationally recognized brand names. CoolBrands competes in the fast-growing "Better-for-You" ice cream category with offerings such as fat free, non-dairy Whole Fruit Sorbet and Atkins Endulge controlled carbohydrate super premium ice cream. New "Better-for-You" offerings by CoolBrands include No Pudge! branded frozen snacks and a line of "Better-for-Kids" frozen snacks sold under the Crayola, Justice League, Snapple, Care Bears and Trix Pops brands. CoolBrands also competes in the super premium ice cream category with the Dreamery Ice Cream and Godiva Ice Cream brands. In addition, CoolBrands markets a wide variety of "all family" premium ice creams and frozen snacks under brand names including Eskimo Pie, Chipwich, Tropicana, Welch's, Yoplait and Welch's. CoolBrands' subsidiary, Eskimo Pie Frozen Distribution, operates a "direct store door" (DSD) ice cream distribution system in selected markets in the U.S., serving these CoolBrands products and a growing family of Partner Brands to supermarkets, convenience stores and other retail customers. CoolBrands' subsidiary, Americana Foods, is a leading U.S. manufacturer and supplier of soft serve mixes, packaged ice cream, frozen yogurt and sorbet products, frozen snacks and other food products to well known national retailers, food companies and restaurant chains. CoolBrands' Foodservice Division manufactures and sells premium soft serve ice cream and frozen yogurt to the foodservice industry. CoolBrands' Dairy Components Division manufactures and sells a full line of quality flavours, chocolate coatings, fudge sauces, powders for chocolate milk, egg nog bases and other ingredients and flexible packaging products for use in private label dairy products in addition to the Company's brands. CoolBrands' Franchising Division franchises and licenses frozen dessert outlets operated under a Family of Brands including Tropicana Smoothies, Juices & More, Swensen's Ice Cream, I Can't Believe It's Yogurt, Yogen Fruz, Bresler's Premium Ice Cream, Golden Swirl and Ice Cream Churn, with company owned, franchised and non-traditional partnership locations around the world. For more information about CoolBrands, visit www.coolbrandsinc.com. This press release includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding, among other things, statements relating to goals, plans and projections regarding the Company's financial position and business strategy. These statements may be identified by the fact that they use such words as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "believe," and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, and could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from current expectations. These factors include, among other things, market factors, competitive product development and promotional activity, the level of consumer interest in the Company's products, product costing, the weather, the performance of management, including management's ability to implement its plans as contemplated, the Company's relationship with its customers, franchisees, licensees and licensors, governmental regulations and legislation and litigation. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.