Hostess to ask court to sell assets

WARWICK, R.I. (AP/WPRI) -- Twinkie lovers, relax.

The tasty cream-filled golden spongecakes are likely to survive, even though their maker will be sold in bankruptcy court.

Hostess Brands Inc., baker of Wonder Bread as well as Twinkies, Ding Dongs and Ho Ho's, will be in a New York bankruptcy courtroom Monday to start the process of selling itself.

The company, weighed down by debt, management turmoil, rising labor costs and the changing tastes of America, decided on Friday that it no longer could make it through a conventional Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring. Instead, it's asking the court for permission to sell assets and go out of business.

More than 18,000 workers will lose their jobs, including 50 at the Warwick, Rhode Island Hostess Bakery and Thrift Store.

But with high brand recognition and $2.5 billion in annual revenue, other companies are interested in bidding for at least pieces of Hostess.