US baker Hostess Brands has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the second time it has done so in its history.

The Twinkies and Ding Dongs cake manufacturer today (11 January) filed at a Bankruptcy Court in New York. It is the second time the troubled firm has been through Chapter 11 – the company was previously known as Interstate Bakeries, which went bankrupt in 2004 and emerged from it in 2009.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

According to court documents, the 83-year-old company said that it currently owes its heavily-unionised staff US$21m and it owes more than $1bn to creditors.

The company has about 19,000 full-time and part-time employees, including 10,413 hourly workers and 8,436 salaried workers.

A spokesperson for Hostess was not available for comment. It is unknown whether the company will make redundancies or sell off brands in a bid for financial stability.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Food Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Food Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving food industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now