After going into voluntary administration in October 2023, it’s been announced frozen dessert brand Sara Lee has been sold.

FTI consulting were appointed as the voluntary administrators of Sara Lee. Vaughan Strawbridge, Joseph Hansell and Kathryn Evans of FTI Consulting announced they had entered into an agreement to sell the Australian and New Zealand businesses, which also exports products to South East Asia and the Middle East, to a private company owned by Klark and Brooke Quinn. 

The sale of the business concludes a successful and competitive process that sees the business sold as a going concern, securing the jobs of more than 200 people. 

Vaughan Strawbridge said Sara Lee is an iconic brand and category leader.

“Staff and consumers have rallied behind the business during this tough time, and we are so grateful to the loyal workforce and management team who have made this process a success while they have continued to produce amazing products,” Vaughan  said.

“We have enjoyed working with the Sara Lee team and are pleased to see them come through this process. Many staff have been with Sara Lee a long time and we have seen their passion for the business.   

“In addition to the staff, we would also like to thank all the suppliers who have continued to support the business and to the customers, who have been vital to the continuation of the business. We look forward to its future success. 

“We hope to complete the sale in the coming weeks.” 

The Quinn family have been successful in FMCG businesses, most recently involved in the purchase of Darrell Lea out of voluntary administration in 2012, and its successful turnaround.  

Klark and Brooke Quinn said they are a small Aussie family that shared in the tradition of having Sara Lee Apple Pie and Vanilla Ice-cream every Sunday night at the dinner table.

“We could not be more proud to put the Aussie made and owned stamp on the Sara Lee brand,” they said.