Costa Mesa-based Paul Frank Industries has entered into a deal to feature two of the cartoon characters that adorn its clothes and accessories on packaging for Nestle Crunch bars.
Terms of the deal, which gives Switzerland’s Nestlé SA the rights to use images of Paul Frank’s Julius the Monkey and Worry Bear, were not immediately available.
The candy bars will be sold as limited editions at Target stores during the holiday season.
The deal comes a few months after Los Angeles-based Saban Capital Group and its affiliate Saban Brands acquired Paul Frank Industries’ licensing and retail operations.
The deal included about 150 other cartoon characters.
Billionaire Haim Saban and his company reportedly paid about $50 million for the Costa Mesa company, which has an estimated $100 million in annual sales.
Privateley held Saban Capital has been building its stable of cartoon brands. It recently reacquired the rights to the “Power Rangers” TV cartoon from the Walt Disney Co. for an estimated $100 million.
“Power Rangers” was a big hit in the 1990s and generated much of Saban’s wealth.
The Paul Frank Industries’ characters are seen by Saban Brands executives as softer complement to the rough-and-tumble Power Rangers franchise.
Saban has said he expects the Julius the Monkey character to eventually be featured in a cartoon show.
The deal to put the Paul Frank Industries characters on Nestlé Crunch bars marks the second crossover by an Orange County-based apparel company into the candy business.
Costa Mesa-based Comune last year launched Komforte Chockolates, which specializes in mixing offbeat flavors into its offering.
Komforte has blended noodle, French toast and tortilla flavors with its chocolates.
Komforte has been sold at American Rag and some retailers in the Pacific Northwest, said Frank Delgadillo, founder of Commune.
