Sara Lee: Iconic Aussie dessert company collapses into administration

Iconic Aussie confectionary company Sara Lee has gone into administration effective immediately.

Iconic Aussie confectionary company Sara Lee has gone into administration.

Known for its sweet treats, including apple pies, cheesecakes and frozen chocolate desserts, the brand has been a staple in Australian kitchens for more than 50 years.

Created in Lisarow, NSW, in 1971, the dessert giant employs 200 staff and its affairs will now be handled by administrators from FTI consulting.

The appointment is intended to seek a restructuring and sale of the Sara Lee business, while continuing operations.

“Sara Lee is an iconic brand which produces quality Australian made products from its manufacturing facility in Lisarow NSW, where it employs some 200 staff,” administrator Vaughan Strawbridge said in a statement on Wednesday.

Sara Lee has collapsed into administration.

“We are working with Sara Lee’s management team and staff to continue operations while we secure the future of the business. We are immediately commencing a process to sell or restructure the business and continue its long history of manufacturing in Australia.

“We expect a lot of interest in the business and will work with those parties and stakeholders to achieve an outcome soon as possible to secure the ongoing business and provide clarity to its loyal and committed staff and customers.”

The appointment to the company is intended to seek a restructuring and sale of the Sara Lee business, while continuing operations.

The business began with Charles Lubin, who bought a small chain of neighbourhood bakeries called Community Bake Shops in Chicago, USA.

Working with his brother-in-law, the business grew in popularity and success and the original three stores increased to seven.

The company later expanded to Australia in the early 1970s.

Sara Lee was acquired by McCain Foods in 2013, turning the company into a leading frozen food brand that manufactured, sold and distributed a range of products.

It was later acquired by The South Island Office Ltd, uniting two baking businesses, Sara Lee and The Original Foods Baking Company in 2021.