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—whose brands include Froot Loops, Frosted Flakes and Rice Krispies—was spun off from Kellogg in 2023, a move that separated its North American cereal business from its remaining global snacking business, which was named Kellanova.

Shares of cereal maker WK Kellogg ( KLG 30.63%) rose 34% this week as of noon E.T. Thursday, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence. One week after being added to a slew of Russell Value indexes, it turns out WK Kellogg was indeed a good value investment -- at least in the eyes of Ferrero.

Concerns about food processing and sugar intake have been factors in dimming some people's enthusiasm for ready-to-eat cereal.

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.

Ferrero has signed a deal to take WK Kellogg private in an agreement worth $3.1 billion, The Associated Press reported.