At the same time crusty competitors Interstate Bakeries and Sara Lee instigated a price war.

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Of course, Burkle, might have been low-balling Interstate Bakeries five years ago.

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On September 22, 2004, Interstate Bakeries filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

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The company entered bankruptcy court in 2004, and the quality of the acquirers that became interested in Interstate Bakeries signaled the surprising durability of the Hostess brands.

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Bimbo publicly stated that it was shopping in 2000, and analysts thought soon-to-be bankrupt Interstate Bakeries the Hostess parent then facing three straight years of losses would fall to Bimbo.

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Back then, Hostess was called Interstate Bakeries.

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