Chicago-based private equity firm Willis Stein has announced that is has completed its acquisition of the Jays Foods assets.

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Jays, whose brands include Jays Potato Chips, O-Ke-Doke popcorn and Krunchers, also makes pretzels, tortilla chips and other snack foods under the Jays trademark. 


Willis Stein previously announced that Tim Healy would head the new company and that Jays’ Chicago manufacturing operations and employees will be retained.


“The closing of this transaction is concurrent with Jays’ emergence from the bankruptcy process,” Willis Stein said.


Willis Stein also owns popcorn maker Lincoln Snacks, whose brands include Poppycock, Just the Nuts! and Screaming Yellow Zonkers.

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