Breakfast cereal could use a lucky charm. U.S. sales of the colorfully packaged morning staple have been in a decades-long decline. Now comes news that Italian confectioner Ferrero Group plans

The Italian food giant Ferrero is expanding its North American portfolio by acquiring WK Kellogg, known for iconic brands like Froot Loops, Rice Krispies and Corn Flakes. Ferrero, known for brands like Nutella and Kinder, announced it will buy WK Kellogg’s for $23 a share, representing a total enterprise value of $3.1 billion.

Italian confectioner Ferrero, known for brands like Nutella and Kinder, is buying the century-old U.S. cereal company WK Kellogg in an effort to expand its North American sales.

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.

In yet another instance of foreign companies buying out American manufacturers, a candy giant has just initiated the purchase of Kellogg Cereal.

By Claudia Assis and Steve Gelsi . The deal values cereal maker WK Kellogg at $23 a share, a 30% premium to its closing price on Wednesday. WK Kellogg Co., the maker of Corn Flakes, Froot Loops ...

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.

US sales of the colorfully packaged morning staple have been in a decades-long decline, a trend back in the spotlight with news that Italian confectioner Ferrero Group plans to purchase WK Kellogg, maker of Corn Flakes, Froot Loops, Rice Krispies and other familiar brands.

The Italian candy maker behind Ferrero Rocher and Nutella is nearing a roughly $3 billion deal to buy the breakfast-cereal conglomerate WK Kellogg, according to people familiar with the matter. Ferrero,