US: Frito-Lay, Oberto end partnership

By: just-food.com | 28 May 2009

PepsiCo's US snack business Frito-Lay and the Oberto Sausage Co have ended their deal for the distribution of Oh Boy! Oberto meat snack products in North America.

Frito-Lay will sell Oh Boy! snacks until 15 August, at which time Oberto will transition to a direct sales and distribution model.

"We've had a strong partnership with Oberto over the past ten years, and both companies helped grow Oberto into a national brand," said Frito-Lay president and CEO Al Carey. "Both of our companies benefited from the partnership, and we each remain committed to the meat snacks category."

"As our business and the industry evolves, this new agreement puts us in the best possible position to continue the tremendous growth and success Oberto has enjoyed for more than 90 years," said Dennis Delaye, chairman and interim CEO of Oberto.

"Our focus now is working together with Frito-Lay to secure a seamless transition in the marketplace, with minimal disruptions for our customers," added Hal Jackson, VP sales for Oberto.

Terms of the "joint agreement" were not disclosed.

Sectors: Bakery, Snacks

Companies: PepsiCo