TAKEOVERS: Britain’s Chocolate War

This time the Battle of Britain is over chocolate bars. Foreigners are threatening to gobble up the country’s top two candymakers. Rowntree Mackintosh, the maker of Kit Kat bars, is under attack from two Swiss companies seeking a larger share of the world chocolate market. One contender: Zurich-based Jacobs Suchard, which has acquired 18.7% of Rowntree’s stock. But the more powerful bidder is giant Nestle, which has offered $3.9 billion for all outstanding shares. Rowntree Chairman Kenneth Dixon is asking the British government to help block the takeover.

Cadbury Schweppes, meanwhile, is being menaced by a U.S. firm, General Cinema, that has bought nearly 18% of the candy and soft-drink maker and is mulling a grab for controlling interest. That, declared Cadbury, would be “unwelcome and strongly resisted.” Sweets, anyone?