Nobody Doesn't Like That Sara Lee Plans a Move to Chicago
By Samantha Abernethy in News on Oct 7, 2011 9:10PM
Noted sweets and meats maker Sara Lee is shopping around Chicago for downtown locations for its headquarters, relocating from its current location in Downers Grove. It's not a done deal yet, but employees started asking questions, and the CEO says it's what he wants.
In the memo, CEO Marcel Smits stated that his preference is to relocate to Chicago, according to two people familiar with the matter. Smits added that no lease had been signed, and the company still has to conduct its due diligence.
Sara Lee moved out to the suburbs in 2005, shortly after it decided to move meat production from St. Louis and Cincinnati to Chicago. Sara Lee announced in January that it will split into two different companies: One for foods called MeatCo and another for beverages called CoffeeCo. Sara Lee includes brands such as Ballpark, Hillshire Farms Jimmy Dean.