Iconic American snack maker Hostess eyes public listing

New York

HOSTESS Brands LLC, the baker of Twinkies and Ding Dongs, plans to become a publicly listed company, marking a revival for an iconic American baker that just three years ago was facing liquidation.

The company will go through a complex deal on its route to becoming public, with investors including Alec Gores's firm ponying up US$725 million. The baker's owners - private equity firm Apollo Global Management LLC and investor Dean Metropoulos - will own 42 per cent of the new company, which will be renamed Hostess Brands Inc.