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Hostess also says it will be freezing Twinkies for about 10 percent of its retailers upon request, which lets stores stamp their own expiration dates on the cakes. Marshall said Wal-Mart isn't one of the retailers that will get frozen Twinkies. Hostess went bankrupt late last year after years of management turmoil and a standoff with its second-biggest union. The company sold off its various brands, with Twinkies and other Hostess cakes going to private equity firms Apollo Global Management and Metropoulos & Co., which is known for fixing up ailing brands, then selling them off for a profit. Marshall declined to say how Hostess cake sales were performing at Wal-Mart stores before the bankruptcy. The retailer also sells Little Debbie cakes, which are made by McKee Foods Corp, and Tastykake, which is made by Flowers Foods. Wal-Mart also sells store-brand versions of the cakes. In a statement, the second largest union for the bankrupt Hostess company said that it had consistently stated its interest in working with the new owners of the company. It said that the experience of its members would give the "best chance for long-term success in consistently putting out a quality product." The Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union said it hoped the new owners would change their approach and work with its union members to ensure long-term success for the cakes.
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