The sale of Massachusetts-based Friendly’s Ice Cream to the country’s largest milk processor has been completed.
Texas-based Dean Foods Company announced it has closed on the $155 million purchase of the ice cream manufacturer that was first announced in May.
Dean said it will continue to produce the ice cream products at a 45-year-old plant in Wilbraham, Massachusetts, where 200 people work.
Fans of Friendly’s ice cream treats should not be concerned, says food services industry consultant Dennis Lombardi.
"Likely not much is going to change, except the name ' Dean Foods' will go up over the door somewhere," he said.
The chain of more than 260 Friendly’s restaurants is now owned and operated separately from the ice cream business.
Dean has a long-term contract to produce ice cream for the restaurants.
