Earlier this year, Tyson Foods, a family-controlled, publicly traded company known for its chicken, pork and beef products, announced it would explore the sale of its Sara Lee frozen bakery business and other “non-protein” brands. Tyson also said it would acquire AdvancePierre Foods, a supplier of packaged meat sandwiches.
At about the same time, JAB Holding Co., which invests for Germany's Reimann family, announced that it planned to sell high-end shoe companies Jimmy Choo and Bally International. A few weeks prior, JAB had acquired Panera Bread Co.; it also owns Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and other food companies. The Reimanns decided that selling pricey shoes among all that food was a misstep.