Deal

Hotel Chocolat Acquisition: Mars Seals $662 Million Deal in British Venture

Britain Hotel Chocolat agreed to a 534 million pound ($662 million) takeover offer from Mars Inc. on Thursday, the specialist chocolatier succumbing to the U.S. food giant with international expansion in mind. Set up twenty years ago, the group aimed to make chocolate exciting by bringing ethical, affordable luxury to the British high street, and joint founder Angus Thirlwell remains chief executive to this day. The 375 pence per share recommended cash offer represents a 170% premium to the stock’s