Giovanni Ferrero has expanded his family's company beyond brands like Nutella and built a global powerhouse—especially through big acquisitions in the U.S.

Italian candy maker Ferrero has agreed to purchase U.S. cereal company WK Kellogg Co. in a $3.1 billion transaction, according to reports.

Private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management, which owns a stake in grocer Albertsons , and billionaire investor Dean Metropoulos teamed up in an unsuccessful bid for cereal maker WK Kellogg , according to three sources familiar with the matter.

WK Kellogg Co. jumped nearly 30% on July 10 following the announcement from Italian food leader Ferrero regarding a $3.1 billion acquisition, inclusive of debt.

The $3.1 billion acquisition would combine Ferrero, which makes Tic Tacs and Nutella, with the producer of Frosted Flakes and Froot Loops.

The Italian candy company Ferrero plans to buy the American cereal maker Kellogg for $3.1 billion, the companies announced Thursday. The deal would unite the makers of household brands including Nutella and Frosted Flakes. American cereal giant Kellogg and Italian candy giant Ferrero have struck a sweet deal worth $3.1 billion.

Italian confectioner Ferrero, known for brands like Nutella and Kinder, is buying U.S. cereal company WK Kellogg in a deal valued at approximately $3.1 billion.

The Ferrero Group said Thursday it will buy WK Kellogg Co. in a deal valued $3.1 billion, expanding the Italian food giant's global reach. Kellogg, which was founded in Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1906, is known for brands including Corn Flakes, Froot Loops, Rice Krispies and Special K. Ferrero's brands include Nutella and Rocher chocolates.

WK Kellogg on Thursday agreed to be bought by the owner of Ferrero Rocher in a deal worth around $3.1 billion, uniting two of the world's most recognizable consumer brands to weather a tough spending backdrop marked by persistent inflation.

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.

What’s “Froot Loops” in Italian?The European confectionary company Ferrero has agreed to buy WK Kellogg Co., the manufacturer of iconic American cereals, for $3.1 billion.The acquisition is set to bring the publicly traded maker of Froot Loops,

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