Sara Lee buys Brazil espresso retailer Expresso.Coffee

Downers Grove-based Sara Lee Corp. bought Brazil’s Expresso. Coffee espresso retailer for an undisclosed amount, according to a statement distributed by PR Newswire today.

Espresso. Coffee is licensed to sell coffee under the Pilao brand in about 1,000 venues in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Sara Lee said in the statement.

“This acquisition substantially expands the branding and consumer connection platform for our Pilão brand,” said Michiel Herkemij, chief executive officer, Sara Lee International Beverages. “Adding Expresso. Coffee to our portfolio reinforces our leadership position in the profitable and fast-growing São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro markets.”

Sara Lee is in the midst of dividing the into two publicly tradedre-play companies by the end of the first half of this year. The company focused on the international coffee and tea market will be named D.E. Master Blenders 1753 and be based in the Netherlands, according to the statement.