The Italian food giant Ferrero is expanding its North American portfolio by acquiring WK Kellogg, known for iconic brands like Froot Loops, Rice Krispies and Corn Flakes. Ferrero, known for brands like Nutella and Kinder, announced it will buy WK Kellogg’s for $23 a share, representing a total enterprise value of $3.1 billion.

WK Kellogg Co’s headquarters is in Battle Creek. After the transaction closes, Battle Creek will remain a core location for the company and will be Ferrero’s headquarters for North America cereal, a news release from WK Kellogg states.

The creator of a number of breakfast-table staples is getting a new owner as Ferrero Group and WK Kellogg Co. have announced a deal that will see Kellogg folded into the corporate parent of such brands as Nutella, Tic Tac, Butterfinger, Baby Ruth, Famous Amos, and Bomb Pop.

Italy's Ferrero has continued its U.S. spending spree with its proposed acquisition of famous cereal maker WK Kellogg amid wider food manufacturer consolidation.

Kellogg, the maker of such brands as Frosted Flakes, Froot Loops, Rice Krispies and Raisin Bran, began business in 1906 as the Battle Creek Toasted Corn Flake Co., before becoming Kellogg Toasted Corn Flake Co. in 1909.

The Australian sharemarket dipped on Friday morning, as increases in mining shares were offset by falls among the banks and consumer stocks.

Ferrero has been targeting the U.S. for acquisitions to grow geographically and expand by category. It bought Wells Enterprises, the maker of Blue Bunny and other ice-cream brands, and before that struck a $2.8 billion deal to acquire Nestlé’s U.S. chocolate business.