News Release

ConAgra Foods Agrees to Acquire Private Label Pretzel Manufacturer National Pretzel Company from Brookstone Holdings

Nov 11, 2011, 6:20 AM EST

OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 11, 2011-- ConAgra Foods, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) announced today that it has agreed to acquire National Pretzel Company, based in Lancaster, Pa., from Brookstone Holdings. National Pretzel makes private label pretzels in a variety of forms, including rods, sticks, braids and twists for a variety of customers, including many of the top grocery retailers in America. Financial terms of the transaction, expected to close within 30 days and subject to customary closing conditions, were not disclosed.

National Pretzel has posted net sales growth of 7 percent annually over the last three years, with total net sales approaching $200 million. The company has a leading position in the supply of private label pretzel items, and also posts sales under the HK Anderson and Shultz labels, both of which were included in the agreement. Also included in the agreement are three bakeries located in Lancaster, Pa., Hanover, Pa. and Visalia, Calif. More than 700 National Pretzel employees are expected to join ConAgra Foods when the transaction closes.

“Acquiring National Pretzel Company is consistent with our strategies for growth, which include expanding our private label footprint and growing in strategic adjacencies,” said Gary Rodkin, chief executive officer of ConAgra Foods. “National Pretzel is a leading private label manufacturer with a strong team in an attractive category. We are excited about its future growth potential and are confident we can profitably leverage our innovation and supply chain capabilities as we integrate our businesses after close of the transaction.”

About ConAgra Foods

ConAgra Foods, Inc., (NYSE: CAG), is one of North America's leading food companies, with brands in 97 percent of America’s households. Consumers find Banquet, Chef Boyardee, Egg Beaters, Hebrew National, Hunt’s, Marie Callender’s, Orville Redenbacher’s, PAM, Peter Pan, Reddi-wip, Slim Jim, Snack Pack and many ot781-235-3060 her ConAgra Foods brands in grocery, convenience, mass merchandise and club stores. ConAgra Foods also has a strong business-to-business presence, supplying frozen potato and sweet potato products as well as other vegetable, spice and grain products to a variety of well-known restaurants, foodservice operators and commercial customers. For more information, please visit us at http://www.conagrafoods.com.

About National Pretzel Company

National Pretzel Company, Inc. (NPC), a Delaware corporation, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Brookstone Holdings, Inc. NPC is a private label supplier and branded producer of pretzels and related products. All products are produced at its manufacturing facilities in Visalia, Calif., Lancaster, Pa. and Hanover, Pa. Substantially all products are sold through retail and foodservice channels throughout the United States and Canada.

Note on Forward-looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management’s current views and assumptions of future events and financial performance and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. We undertake no responsibility for updating these statements. Readers of this release should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results. Many factors could affect our actual financial results and cause them to vary materially from the expectations contained in the forward-looking statements, including those set forth in this release. These factors include, among other things: availability and prices of raw materials; the effectiveness of our product pricing, including any pricing actions and promotional changes; future economic circumstances; industry conditions; our ability to execute our operating plans; the success of our innovation, marketing, and cost savings initiatives; the amount and timing of repurchases of our common stock, if any; the competitive environment and related market conditions; operating efficiencies; the ultimate impact of any product recalls; access to capital; actions of governments and regulatory factors affecting our businesses, including the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; and other risks described in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements included in this release, which speak only as of the date of this release.

Source: ConAgra Foods, Inc.

ConAgra Foods
Media: Jeff Mochal
Director, Communication & External Relations
630-857-1513
Jeff.Mochal@ConAgraFoods.com
or
Investors: Chris Klinefelter
Vice President, Investor Relations
402-240-4154
Chris.Klinefelter@ConAgraFoods.com