WK Kellogg Co’s headquarters is in Battle Creek. After the transaction closes, Battle Creek will remain a core location for the company and will be Ferrero’s headquarters for North America cereal, a news release from WK Kellogg states.

The creator of a number of breakfast-table staples is getting a new owner as Ferrero Group and WK Kellogg Co. have announced a deal that will see Kellogg folded into the corporate parent of such brands as Nutella, Tic Tac, Butterfinger, Baby Ruth, Famous Amos, and Bomb Pop.

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.

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.

Ferrero, parent of Chicago-based Ferrara Candy Co., said it's buying the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of WK Kellogg Co.’s portfolio of breakfast cereals in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean.

The Australian sharemarket dipped on Friday morning, as increases in mining shares were offset by falls among the banks and consumer stocks.

Ferrero has been targeting the U.S. for acquisitions to grow geographically and expand by category. It bought Wells Enterprises, the maker of Blue Bunny and other ice-cream brands, and before that struck a $2.8 billion deal to acquire Nestlé’s U.S. chocolate business.