Hostess Brand Twinkies

Credit: PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images

A photo of Twinkies, made by Interstate Brands is viewed on January 11, 2012 in Washington,DC. Hostess Brands, the baker of Twinkie cakes and other iconic American foods, filed for bankruptcy protection Wednesday after failing to win concessions on union contracts. Founded in 1930, Hostess owns brands that were emblematic of American food for generations. Its popular Twinkie, a snack cake with a creamy filling, was launched that year. The company claims its Wonder bread, a vitamin-enriched sliced bread, was the first 100 percent natural bread available across the United States.

Hostess Brand Twinkies, Golden Cup Cakes, Zingers

Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 16: In this photo illustration, Hostess Brands Twinkies products are shown along with Golden Cup Cakes and Zingers on November 16, 2012 in Miami, Florida. Hostess Brands Inc. decided to liquidate its business after striking workers with the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union didn't return to normal work levels as the company management had demanded.

Hostess Brand Products

Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 16: In this photo illustration, Hostess Brands products are shown on November 16, 2012 in Miami, Florida. Hostess Brands Inc. decided to liquidate its business after striking workers with the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union didn't return to normal work levels as the company management had demanded.

Customers Stock Up On Hostess Products

Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

SAN LEANDRO, CA - NOVEMBER 16: Customers carry bags of Hostess products as they leave a Wonder Hostess Bakery Outlet on November 16, 2012 in San Leandro, California. Hostess Brands, the maker of Twinkies, Ding Dongs and Wonder Bread, announced plans to liquidate its assets and lay off nearly 18,500 employees due to a workers strike brought on by an imposed contract that would cut workers' wages by 8 percent.

Hostess Brand Twinkies

Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 16: In this photo illustration, Hostess Brands Twinkies are shown in an open box on November 16, 2012 in Miami, Florida. Hostess Brands Inc. decided to liquidate its business after striking workers with the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union didn't return to normal work levels as the company management had demanded.

Customers Stock Up On Hostess Products

Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

SAN LEANDRO, CA - NOVEMBER 16: Shelves sit empty at a Wonder Hostess Bakery Outlet on November 16, 2012 in San Leandro, California. Hostess Brands, the maker of Twinkies, Ding Dongs and Wonder Bread, announced plans to liquidate its assets and lay off nearly 18,500 employees due to a workers strike brought on by an imposed contract that would cut workers' wages by 8 percent.

Customers Stock Up On Hostess Products

Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

SAN LEANDRO, CA - NOVEMBER 16: People line up to purchase packages of Hostess products at a Wonder Hostess Bakery Outlet on November 16, 2012 in San Leandro, California. Hostess Brands, the maker of Twinkies, Ding Dongs and Wonder Bread, announced plans to liquidate its assets and lay off nearly 18,500 employees due to a workers strike brought on by an imposed contract that would cut workers' wages by 8 percent.

Customers Stock Up On Hostess Products

Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

SAN LEANDRO, CA - NOVEMBER 16: A dog sits in a shopping cart that is filled with packages of Hostess products at a Wonder Hostess Bakery Outlet on November 16, 2012 in San Leandro, California. Hostess Brands, the maker of Twinkies, Ding Dongs and Wonder Bread, announced plans to liquidate its assets and lay off nearly 18,500 employees due to a workers strike brought on by an imposed contract that would cut workers' wages by 8 percent.

Workers On Strike

Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 16: Striking bakery workers stand outside of the Hostess baking facility on November 16, 2012 in Oakland, California. Hostess Brands, the maker of Twinkies, Ding Dongs and Wonder Bread, announced plans to liquidate its assets and lay off nearly 18,500 employees due to a workers strike brought on by an imposed contract that would cut workers' wages by 8 percent.

Workers On Strike

Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 16: A security guard stands behind striking bakery workers sit outside of the Interstate Bakeries facility on November 16, 2012 in Oakland, California. Hostess Brands, the maker of Twinkies, Ding Dongs and Wonder Bread, announced plans to liquidate its assets and lay off nearly 18,500 employees due to a workers strike brought on by an imposed contract that would cut workers' wages by 8 percent.

Truck In Front Of Hostess Baking Facility

Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 16: Trucks sit idle at the Hostess baking facility on November 16, 2012 in Oakland, California. Hostess Brands, the maker of Twinkies, Ding Dongs and Wonder Bread, announced plans to liquidate its assets and lay off nearly 18,500 employees due to a workers strike brought on by an imposed contract that would cut workers' wages by 8 percent.

Cart Full Of Hostess Products

Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

SAN LEANDRO, CA - NOVEMBER 16: Packages of Hostess products sit on a counter at a Wonder Hostess Bakery Outlet on November 16, 2012 in San Leandro, California. Hostess Brands, the maker of Twinkies, Ding Dongs and Wonder Bread, announced plans to liquidate its assets and lay off nearly 18,500 employees due to a workers strike brought on by an imposed contract that would cut workers' wages by 8 percent.

Customers Stuck Up On Hostess Products

Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

SAN LEANDRO, CA - NOVEMBER 16: A customer shops for Hostess products at a Wonder Hostess Bakery Outlet on November 16, 2012 in San Leandro, California. Hostess Brands, the maker of Twinkies, Ding Dongs and Wonder Bread, announced plans to liquidate its assets and lay off nearly 18,500 employees due to a workers strike brought on by an imposed contract that would cut workers' wages by 8 percent.

Workers On Strike

Credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images

SCHILLER PARK, IL - NOVEMBER 15: Workers with the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union stage a walkout at the Hostess Brands bakery on November 15, 2012 in Schiller Park, Illinois. Workers at the facility were not allowed by their contract to strike so they walked off their jobs in a show of support for workers at Hostess facilities that were allowed to strike. Hostess Brands Inc. has warned striking employees that it will move to liquidate the company if plant operations don’t return to normal levels this afternoon.

Hostess Brand Twinkies and Golden Cup Cakes

Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 16: In this photo illustration, Hostess Brands Twinkies products are shown along with Golden Cup Cakes on November 16, 2012 in Miami, Florida. Hostess Brands Inc. decided to liquidate its business after striking workers with the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union didn't return to normal work levels as the company managment had demanded.

Hostess Brand Wonder Bread

Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 16: In this photo illustration, Hostess Brand Wonder Bread is shown on November 16, 2012 in Miami, Florida. Hostess Brands Inc. decided to liquidate its business after striking workers with the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union didn't return to normal work levels as the company management had demanded.

Hostess Brand Products

Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 16: In this photo illustration, Hostess Brands products are shown on November 16, 2012 in Miami, Florida. Hostess Brands Inc. decided to liquidate its business after striking workers with the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union didn't return to normal work levels as the company management had demanded.