Hostess Brands filed for bankruptcy in January 2012 and became known for Twinkies.
Hostess Brands was the successor to Interstate Bakeries Corporation, a major American producer of packaged cakes and breads. Its brands included Twinkies, Ho Hos, Ding Dongs, and Wonder Bread.
The company filed for Chapter 11 protection on January 11, 2012, citing labor costs, debt, pension obligations, and declining sales. A nationwide strike by members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union contributed to the shutdown of operations in November 2012.
Hostess liquidated, and its brands and assets were later sold to different buyers. Apollo Global Management and C. Dean Metropoulos & Company acquired the snack-cake business, allowing Twinkies to return to stores in 2013. The modern Hostess Brands was a separate successor company.