Nestlé sold traditional confectionery brand Turtles

The private equity fund Brynwood Partners VLP has acquired the traditional Turtles confectionery brand from the US business unit of Nestle SA, through a newly formed group called DeMet s Candy Company. Brynwood Partners will also acquire the Turtles production facility based in Toronto, Canada, from Nestle Canada. Financial details for both transactions were not disclosed.


For over 70 years, Turtles, the chocolate covered nut clusters have been a classic confection for millions. DeMet’s Turtles was introduced in the early 1920s by Rowntree DeMet’s Inc. An employee at the chocolate factory remarked that the new candy, with pecans protruding from its side, looked like a turtle. Nestlé acquired Rowntree DeMet’s Inc. in 1988. In January 1996 the name changed to Nestlé Turtles.