FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the period ended December 22, 2003
Coolbrands International Inc.
(formerly Yogen Fruz World-Wide Incorporated)
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(Translation of registrant's name into English)
8300 Woodbine Avenue, Markham, Ontario Canada L3R 9Y7
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(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F Form 40-F x
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes No x
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If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):82-_________
Materials relating to Registrant and filed pursuant to this Form 6-K
include a press release filed with SEDAR in Canada relating to the Registrant's
announcement that Registrant will distribute Unilever Brands.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
COOLBRANDS INTERNATIONAL INC.
Date: December 23, 2003 By: /s/ Aaron Serruya
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Name: Aaron Serruya
Title: Executive Vice President
NEWS FROM:
COOLBRANDS INTERNATIONAL INC.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 22, 2003
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For More Information Contact:
Michael Serruya, Co-Chairman
CoolBrands International Inc.
Email Address: mserruya@coolbrandsinc.com
Telephone: (905) 479-8762
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COOLBRANDS TO DISTRIBUTE UNILEVER BRANDS
DSD Distribution Assets Acquired from Nestle will be used to Distribute
Ben & Jerry's, Klondike, Popsicle, Good Humor and Breyer's
CoolBrands International Inc. (TSX: COB.A) announced today that it has entered
into an agreement with Unilever Ice Cream to distribute Unilever's branded ice
cream and related frozen dessert products.
Pursuant to the agreement announced today, CoolBrands' wholly owned subsidiary,
Eskimo Pie Frozen Distribution, Inc., will distribute the full line of
Unilever's packaged ice creams and frozen novelties to retailers in specified
channels of distribution in the states of Washington, Oregon, California and
Florida and the Metropolitan New York area. Unilever's brands include Ben &
Jerry's, Klondike, Popsicle, Good Humor and Breyer's.
"The alignment of Unilever's brands with CoolBrands' distribution capabilities
is a good strategic fit for both companies," stated CoolBrands' President and
Co-Chief Executive Officer, David J. Stein. "Partner brands are an important
component of our distribution strategy and we believe Unilever will be a
valuable partner for CoolBrands going forward."
"We are excited to team up with CoolBrands in these markets," stated Bruce
Shoecraft, the Vice President for Sales - Out of Home for Unilever Ice Cream.
"We believe the combination of our strong brands with CoolBrands' outstanding
distribution capabilities will drive growth for Unilever and CoolBrands over the
long term."
On July 7, 2003, CoolBrands acquired from Nestle substantially all of its
distribution assets in the U.S., making CoolBrands one of only two
"direct-store-delivery" (DSD) ice cream distribution systems with broad
penetration of major markets across the U.S. in the grocery and convenience
channels.
About CoolBrands International:
CoolBrands International is a leader in the consumer products and franchising
segments of the frozen dessert industry, marketing a diverse range of frozen
dessert products under nationally and internationally recognized brand names.
CoolBrands is the pre-eminent company in the fast-growing
"better-for-you" ice cream category with offerings such as fat free, non-dairy
Whole Fruit 'TM' Sorbet, Weight Watchers'r' Smart Ones'r' low-fat and fat-free
frozen desserts and new Atkins'r' Endulge'TM' controlled carbohydrate super
premium ice cream. CoolBrands also competes in the super premium ice cream
category with the Dreamery'r' Ice Cream and Godiva'r'Ice Cream brands. In
addition, CoolBrands markets a wide variety of "all family" premium ice creams,
frozen novelties and frozen desserts under the Eskimo Pie'r', Chipwich'r',
Tropicana'r', Welch's'r', Yoplait'r', Betty Crocker'r' and Trix'r' brand names.
CoolBrands' subsidiary, Eskimo Pie Frozen Distribution, operates the second
largest "direct store delivery" (DSD) ice cream distribution system in the U.S.,
serving these CoolBrands products and a growing family of Partner Brands to
supermarkets, convenience stores and other retail customers.
CoolBrands' subsidiary, Americana Foods, is a leading U.S. manufacturer and
supplier of soft serve mixes, packaged ice cream, frozen yogurt and sorbet
products and frozen novelties to well known national retailers, food companies
and restaurant chains. Americana Foods also manufactures and sells products for
the foodservice channel, which are extensively used to standardize quality and
reduce labor costs in on-site food preparation.
Coolbrands' Foodservice Division manufactures and sells premium soft serve ice
cream and frozen yogurt to the foodservice industry. CoolBrands also
manufactures and sells a full line of quality flavours, chocolate coatings,
fudge sauces, powders for chocolate milk, egg nog bases and other ingredients
and flexible packaging products for use in private label dairy products in
addition to the Company's brands.
CoolBrands also franchises and licenses frozen dessert outlets operated under a
Family of Brands including Tropicana'r' Smoothies, Juices & More, Swensen's'r'
Ice Cream, I Can't Believe It's Yogurt'r', Yogen Fruz'r', Bresler's'r' Premium
Ice Cream, Golden Swirl'r' and Ice Cream Churn'r', with company-owned,
franchised and non-traditional partnership locations around the world.
This press release includes certain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding, among
other things, statements relating to goals, plans and projections regarding the
Company's financial position and business strategy. These statements may be
identified by the fact that they use such words as "anticipate," "estimate,"
"expect," "intend," "plan," "believe," and other words and terms of similar
meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial
performance. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations
and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including factors that could
delay, divert or change any of them, and could cause actual outcomes and results
to differ materially from current expectations. These factors include, among
other things, market factors, competitive product development and promotional
activity, the level of consumer interest in the Company's products, product
costing, the weather, the performance of management, including management's
ability to implement its plans as contemplated, the Company's relationship with
its customers, franchisees, licensees and licensors, governmental regulations
and legislation and litigation. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly
update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
STATEMENT OF DIFFERENCES
The trademark symbol shall be expressed as.............................. 'TM'
The registered trademark symbol shall be expressed as................... 'r'