Lindt & Spruengli AG, the world’s largest producer of premium chocolate, agreed to acquire Russell Stover Candies Inc. to become the third-biggest chocolate producer in North America.
The purchase brings Lindt’s golden foil-wrapped Easter bunnies together with a brand whose standing in the U.S. candy market was elevated by its appearance in the 1994 movie Forrest Gump. The price wasn’t disclosed though Kilchberg, Switzerland-based Lindt said the acquisition is the biggest in its history.
