KEEBLER FOODS CO
S-3/A, 1998-12-30
COOKIES & CRACKERS
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<PAGE>   1
 
   AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON DECEMBER 10, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
 
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
 
                             KEEBLER FOODS COMPANY
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>                              <C>
            DELAWARE                           2052                          36-3839556
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF    (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL           (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
 INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)    CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)         IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
                                677 LARCH AVENUE
                            ELMHURST, ILLINOIS 60126
                                 (630) 833-2900
         (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING
            AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
                            ------------------------
 
                               THOMAS E. O'NEILL
                 VICE PRESIDENT, SECRETARY AND GENERAL COUNSEL
                                677 LARCH AVENUE
                            ELMHURST, ILLINOIS 60126
                                 (630) 833-2900
 (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                             OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
                            ------------------------
 
                                   COPIES TO:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                              <C>
                 BRUCE A. TOTH                                   STEPHEN L. BURNS
               JOHN L. MACCARTHY                             CRAVATH, SWAINE & MOORE
                WINSTON & STRAWN                                825 EIGHTH AVENUE
              35 WEST WACKER DRIVE                           NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019
            CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60601                               (212) 474-1000
                 (312) 558-5600
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
 
     If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box.  [ ]
 
     If any of the securities being registered on this form are being offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933 (the "Securities Act"), check the following box.  [ ]
 
     If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering.  [ ]
 
     If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering.  [ ]
 
     If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box.  [ ]
                            ------------------------
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
<TABLE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF                               PROPOSED MAXIMUM
     SECURITIES TO BE            AMOUNT TO BE           OFFERING PRICE          PROPOSED MAXIMUM            AMOUNT OF
        REGISTERED              REGISTERED(1)            PER SHARE(2)       AGGREGATE OFFERING PRICE     REGISTRATION FEE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>                     <C>                     <C>                       <C>
Common Stock, par value
  $.01 per share..........    17,828,729 shares           $34.28125               $611,191,116               $169,912
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
(1) Includes 1,628,729 shares that the Underwriters have the option to purchase
    from the Selling Stockholders to cover over-allotments, if any.
 
(2) Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act for the purpose
    of calculating the registration fee based on the average of the reported
    high and low sales prices of the common stock of the Registrant on the New
    York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") on December 3, 1998.
                            ------------------------
 
     THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE
ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID
SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2
 
                                EXPLANATORY NOTE
 
     This Registration Statement contains two forms of prospectus: one to be
used in connection with an underwritten public offering in the United States and
Canada (the "U.S. Prospectus") and one to be used in a concurrent underwritten
public offering outside the United States and Canada (the "International
Prospectus"). The two prospectuses are identical except for the front cover
page. The form of U.S. Prospectus is included herein and is followed by the
alternate cover page to be used in the International Prospectus. The alternate
cover page for the International Prospectus included herein is labeled
"International Prospectus -- Alternate Page." Final forms of each prospectus
will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Rule 424(b)
under the Securities Act.
<PAGE>   3
 
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may
not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer
to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these
securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
 
                 SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED DECEMBER   , 1998
 
                               16,200,000 SHARES
 
                             KEEBLER FOODS COMPANY
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
                            ------------------------
 All of the shares of common stock offered hereby are being sold by the Selling
  Stockholders named under "Selling Stockholders". Of the 16,200,000 shares of
common stock being offered, 12,960,000 shares are initially being offered in the
   United States and Canada by the U.S. Underwriters and 3,240,000 shares are
initially being concurrently offered outside the United States and Canada by the
   International Managers. The offering price and underwriting discounts and
  commissions for both offerings are identical. Keebler Foods Company will not
receive any of the proceeds from the offering. The common stock is listed on the
 New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "KBL." On December 9, 1998, the last
              reported sale price for the common stock was $36.69.
 
             INVESTING IN THE COMMON STOCK INVOLVES CERTAIN RISKS.
                         SEE "RISK FACTORS" ON PAGE 7.
 
    NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS
  PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
                               CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     UNDERWRITING        PROCEEDS TO
                                                      PRICE TO       DISCOUNTS AND       THE SELLING
                                                       PUBLIC         COMMISSIONS        STOCKHOLDERS
                                                      --------       -------------       ------------
<S>                                                   <C>            <C>                 <C>
Per Share.........................................    $                $                   $
Total(1)..........................................    $                $                   $
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) The Selling Stockholders have granted the U.S. Underwriters and the
    International Managers an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of
    this prospectus, to purchase a maximum of 1,628,729 additional shares to
    cover over-allotments of shares.
 
     Delivery of the shares of common stock will be made on or about
                    , 1999, against payment in immediately available funds.
 
                           CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.                                      WARBURG DILLON READ LLC
DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE                                     LEHMAN BROTHERS
 
                  Prospectus dated                     , 1999
<PAGE>   4
 
                                 [INSIDE COVER]
 
                   PICTURE OF REPRESENTATIVE BRANDED PRODUCTS
<PAGE>   5
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                        ----
<S>                                     <C>
Available Information.................    i
Incorporation of Certain Information
  by Reference........................    i
Forward-Looking Statements; Certain
  Defined Terms; Market Share Data....   ii
Prospectus Summary....................    1
Risk Factors..........................    7
Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated
  Financial Information...............   10
Selected Historical Financial Data....   15
Management's Discussion and Analysis
  of Financial Condition and Results
  of Operations.......................   17
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                        ----
<S>                                     <C>
Business..............................   27
Management............................   35
Principal and Selling Stockholders....   37
Certain United States Federal Tax
  Considerations for Non-U.S. Holders
  of Common Stock.....................   39
Underwriting..........................   42
Notice to Canadian Residents..........   45
Legal Matters.........................   46
Experts...............................   46
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT OR TO WHICH
WE HAVE REFERRED YOU. WE HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH
INFORMATION THAT IS DIFFERENT. THIS DOCUMENT MAY ONLY BE USED WHERE IT IS LEGAL
TO SELL THESE SECURITIES. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT MAY ONLY BE
ACCURATE ON THE DATE OF THIS DOCUMENT.
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     Keebler files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and
other information with the Commission. You may read and copy any reports,
statements or other information on file at the Commission's public reference
room in Washington, D.C. You can request copies of those documents, upon payment
of a duplicating fee, by writing to the Commission.
 
     Keebler has filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 with the Commission.
This prospectus, which forms a part of the Registration Statement, does not
contain all of the information included in the Registration Statement. Certain
information is omitted and you should refer to the Registration Statement and
its exhibits. With respect to references made in this prospectus to any contract
or other document of Keebler, such references are not necessarily complete and
you should refer to the exhibits attached to the Registration Statement for
copies of the actual contract or document. You may review a copy of the
Registration Statement at the Commission's public reference room in Washington,
D.C., and at the Commission's regional offices in Chicago, Illinois and New
York, New York. Please call the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further
information on the operation of the public reference rooms. Keebler's Commission
filings and the Registration Statement can also be reviewed by accessing the
Commission's Internet site at http://www.sec.gov.
 
               INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
 
     The following documents or information filed by Keebler with the Commission
are incorporated in this prospectus by reference and made a part hereof: (i)
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 1998; (ii)
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended April 25, 1998,
July 18, 1998 and October 10, 1998; (iii) Reports on Form 8-K filed August 25,
1998 and October 9, 1998, which was amended on December 10, 1998; and (iv) the
description of common stock contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A
filed on December 12, 1997 and amended by Amendment No. 1 on January 27, 1998.
 
     All documents filed by Keebler with the Commission pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date hereof and
prior to the termination of the Offering shall hereby be deemed to be
incorporated by reference into this prospectus and to be a part hereof from the
date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to
be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a
statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed documents
 
                                        i
<PAGE>   6
 
which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall
not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
prospectus.
 
     Keebler will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy of this
prospectus is delivered on the written or oral request of any such person, a
copy of any and all documents incorporated herein by reference (other than
exhibits not specifically incorporated herein by reference). Requests for such
copies should be directed to Thomas E. O'Neill, Keebler Foods Company, 677 Larch
Avenue, Elmhurst, Illinois 60126, telephone number (630) 833-2900.
 
      FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS; CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS; MARKET SHARE DATA
 
     Certain statements incorporated by reference or made in this prospectus
under the captions "Prospectus Summary," "Risk Factors," "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and
"Business" and elsewhere in this prospectus are "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the
"Reform Act"). These statements are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the
Reform Act. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation,
statements about the competitiveness of the cookie and cracker industry, the
future availability and prices of certain materials, potential regulatory
obligations and Keebler's strategies and other statements contained herein that
are not historical facts. When used in this prospectus, the words "anticipate,"
"believe," "estimate" and similar expressions are generally intended to identify
forward-looking statements. Because such forward-looking statements involve
risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements, including but not limited to changes in general
economic and business conditions (including in the cookie and cracker industry),
actions of competitors, Keebler's ability to recover its material costs in the
pricing of its products, the extent to which Keebler is able to develop new
products and markets for its products, the time required for such development,
the level of demand for such products, changes in Keebler's business strategies
and other factors discussed under "Risk Factors."
                            ------------------------
 
     As used in this prospectus, unless the context requires otherwise, (i)
"Keebler" or the "Company" means Keebler Foods Company (the surviving
corporation of the merger between INFLO Holdings Corporation ("INFLO") and
Keebler Corporation) and its predecessors and consolidated subsidiaries, (ii)
"Sunshine" means Sunshine Biscuits, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, and
(iii) "President" means President International, Inc. and its consolidated
subsidiaries. As used herein, "Artal" means Artal Luxembourg S.A.; "Claremont"
means Claremont Enterprises, Limited; "Flowers" means Flowers Industries, Inc.;
"Nabisco" means Nabisco, Inc.; "common stock" means the common stock, $.01 par
value per share, of Keebler; "offering" means the offering of common stock
contemplated by this prospectus; "Selling Stockholders" means Artal and
Claremont, collectively; "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933; and
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
     Unless stated otherwise, market share data included herein is based on
supermarket, mass merchandiser and drug store sales (measured in pounds) for the
fifty-two week period ended November 8, 1998 as reported by Information
Resources, Inc. ("IRI"). In those instances where market share data included
herein is stated to be based on dollar sales, those dollar sales represent
supermarket, mass merchandiser and drug store sales for the fifty-two week
period ended November 8, 1998 as reported by IRI. Retail sales data included
herein for the U.S. cookie and cracker industry include sales through
supermarkets, mass merchandisers, convenience stores and drug stores as reported
by IRI. Sales to club stores and vending distributors are not included in this
data. With respect to ice cream cone sales, market share data included herein
are based on dollar sales for the fifty-two week period ended November 8, 1998
as reported by IRI for supermarkets only. With respect to the foodservice
industry, market share data included herein are based on sales (measured in
pounds) for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1998 as reported by the
International Foodservice Manufacturers Association.
 
                                       ii
<PAGE>   7
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
     This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus.
This summary is not complete and may not contain all of the information that you
should consider before investing in the common stock. You should read the entire
prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference into it, carefully.
Keebler's operations are comprised of the Keebler business, which was acquired
in January 1996, the Sunshine business, which was acquired in June 1996, and the
President business, which was acquired in September 1998. Unless otherwise
indicated, sales and market share data contained herein include the results of
President for the applicable period.
 
                                    KEEBLER
 
     Keebler is the second largest cookie and cracker manufacturer in the United
States with annual net sales of over $2.5 billion and a 25.8% share of the U.S.
cookie and cracker market. Keebler markets a majority of its products under
well-recognized brands such as Keebler, Cheez-It, Carr's and Famous Amos. In the
United States, Keebler is the number two manufacturer of branded cookies and
crackers and the number one manufacturer of private label cookies, Girl Scout
cookies and cookies and crackers for the foodservice market. Keebler also is the
number one manufacturer of retail branded ice cream cones in the United States
and is a major producer of retail branded pie crusts. Keebler also produces
custom-baked products for other marketers of branded food products.
 
     BRANDED PRODUCTS. Keebler's branded cookie and cracker products accounted
for 84% of its net sales in the first forty weeks of 1998, excluding President.
Keebler produces nine of the twenty-five best-selling cookies and ten of the
twenty-five best-selling crackers in the United States based on dollar sales.
Keebler's branded cookie and cracker products include, among others, the
following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       KEEBLER BRAND               CHEEZ-IT BRAND                OTHER BRANDS
       -------------               --------------                ------------
<S>                          <C>                          <C>
   Chips Deluxe cookies        Cheez-It snack crackers            Famous Amos
   Pecan Sandies cookies         Cheez-It party mix                 Murray
   Fudge Shoppe cookies         Nacho Cheez-It snack                Carr's
    Town House crackers               crackers                  Vienna Fingers
       Club crackers          Cheez-It Heads and Tails              Hydrox
    Wheatables crackers               crackers                  Sunshine Krispy
      Zesta crackers             Cheez-It snack mix                  Hi-Ho
</TABLE>
 
     DSD DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM. Keebler distributes its branded cookie and cracker
products to approximately 30,000 retail locations through its own national
direct to store sales and distribution system, which is known as a "DSD
distribution system". With this national DSD distribution system, Keebler
services substantially all supermarkets in the United States. Keebler is one of
only two cookie and cracker companies that owns and operates a national DSD
distribution system. Keebler believes its national DSD distribution system
provides it with certain competitive advantages. Sales employees of Keebler's
national DSD distribution system visit supermarkets on average 2.8 times each
week. These employees stock and arrange Keebler's products on store shelves and
build end-aisle and free-standing product displays. This frequent presence of
Keebler employees in supermarkets provides Keebler with a high level of control
over the availability and presentation of its products. Keebler believes that
this control allows it to maintain shelf space, better execute in-store
promotions and more effectively introduce new products. In-store promotions are
important because Keebler believes that purchases of cookies and crackers are
often impulse driven. With the President acquisition, Keebler acquired
President's franchised DSD distribution system which principally distributes
products east of the Mississippi River. The President DSD distribution system is
comprised of independent franchisees who purchase and resell certain President
products. President's DSD distribution system services both supermarkets and
certain non-supermarket channels.
 
                                        1
<PAGE>   8
 
                               INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
 
     In 1997, the U.S. cookie and cracker industry had retail sales of $8.4
billion, with cookie sales of $4.9 billion and cracker sales of $3.5 billion.
Since 1992, consumption per person of cookies and crackers in the United States
has remained stable. The cookie and cracker industry is comprised of distinct
types of products. Cookie product types include, among others, sandwich cookies,
chocolate chip cookies and fudge-covered cookies. Cracker product types include,
among others, saltine crackers, graham crackers and snack crackers.
 
     Supermarkets accounted for 78% of 1997 retail sales in the cookie and
cracker industry with mass merchandisers (such as Wal-Mart), convenience stores
and drug stores accounting for the balance. Since 1992, U.S. annual dollar
supermarket sales of cookies and crackers have increased an average of 1.5% per
year. Moreover, Keebler believes that non-supermarket channels of distribution
are becoming increasingly important.
 
     Keebler and Nabisco are the two largest national participants in the cookie
and cracker industry. Keebler and Nabisco have a combined retail market share of
59.3%, with Keebler having 25.8% and Nabisco having 33.5%. Other participants in
the industry generally operate only in certain regions of the United States or
offer fewer types of cookie and cracker products.
 
                                    STRATEGY
 
     Since the acquisition of the Keebler business in January 1996, Keebler's
management has employed a business strategy designed to capitalize on its
competitive strengths. The acquisitions of Sunshine and President have enabled
Keebler to further develop this business strategy. The key elements of Keebler's
strategy are:
 
     BUILD ON THE KEEBLER BRAND. Keebler is one of the few packaged food brands
that generates over $1 billion in annual sales. The Keebler brand is recognized
in approximately 99% of U.S. households and is used in approximately two-thirds
of U.S. households. This brand awareness has been developed over many years of
marketing "Elfin Magic" imagery and "Uncommonly Good" Keebler products. Keebler
intends to continue to invest in advertising and promoting the Keebler brand.
Keebler's marketing emphasizes the well known images of Ernie and the other
Keebler Elves and Keebler's Hollow Tree.
 
     TAKE ADVANTAGE OF KEEBLER BRAND STRENGTH ACROSS PRODUCT TYPES. There are
many types of cookie and cracker products. Keebler believes that many well known
cookie and cracker brands are only associated with one type of product, such as
chocolate chip cookies, making it difficult for these brands to be used to
market other types of cookie and cracker products. This requires other
manufacturers to invest in creating an entirely new brand identity when
developing a new type of product. In contrast, Keebler believes the strength of
the Keebler brand is its consumer identity across a wide variety of these
product types, which allows Keebler to cost effectively introduce new product
line extensions and market new types of products. Keebler's strategy is also to
focus on products in its portfolio of cookie and cracker products that already
have a strong position or on product types which are not dominated by a
competitor's strong branded product.
 
     EXPAND THE CHEEZ-IT BRAND. Keebler's Cheez-It brand crackers are the number
one selling snack cracker in the United States. Annual retail sales of Cheez-It
brand products exceed $250 million. The Cheez-It brand has a distinctive image
with consumers. Keebler intends to maintain and build on this distinctive image
through new products, advertising and packaging. In 1998, as part of this
strategy, Keebler ran national media advertising for Cheez-It for the first time
in the brand's history. Keebler has also introduced new products, such as
Cheez-It Heads and Tails crackers and Cheez-It snack mix, adding to its
portfolio of Cheez-It products. Sales of Cheez-It products for the first forty
weeks of 1998 increased by 23.7% compared to the same period in 1997.
 
     EXPAND NON-SUPERMARKET SALES. In 1997, 22% of retail cookie and cracker
sales were through mass merchandisers, convenience stores and drug stores.
Keebler believes that its total share of sales to these
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   9
 
and other non-supermarket channels, including club stores and vending
distributors, is significantly lower than its share of sales to supermarkets.
Keebler develops products, packaging and distribution tailored to
non-supermarket channels. As a result of these efforts, Keebler's
non-supermarket sales have grown significantly. For example, Keebler's retail
sales through mass merchandisers (excluding President's sales) increased 34% in
the first forty weeks of 1998 compared to the first forty weeks of 1997.
 
     INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY OF ITS OPERATIONS. Keebler intends to continue to
increase the efficiency of its operations and reduce costs. In 1998, Keebler's
management lowered annual costs by approximately $35.0 million principally by
further automating certain bakery and distribution operations and by improving
inventory management. Keebler also has installed an SAP R/3 management
information system resulting in more efficient operations because of the
availability of detailed financial and operational information. Keebler plans to
install this SAP R/3 system in its President facilities in 1999.
 
     CAPITALIZE ON THE PRESIDENT ACQUISITION. The President acquisition provides
Keebler with opportunities and benefits that should help Keebler achieve certain
strategic goals. These include the following:
 
     - President's product mix complements Keebler's by adding strong brands
       such as Famous Amos cookies, which has annual retail sales in excess of
       $60 million, and Murray sugar free cookies, the number one selling sugar
       free cookie, which has annual retail sales in excess of $35 million.
       These brands strengthen and diversify the Keebler portfolio of branded
       products.
 
     - Keebler believes that the integration of President into its operations
       should allow Keebler to operate more efficiently in areas such as
       manufacturing, raw material and packaging purchasing and product
       distribution.
 
     - The President acquisition also diversifies Keebler's cookie and cracker
       business by making Keebler the leading manufacturer of Girl Scout
       cookies, a position that President has held for over ten years.
 
     - The President acquisition provides Keebler with an increased market share
       in non-supermarket channels. For example, Famous Amos is the number one
       selling cookie in vending machines and has a strong presence in club and
       convenience stores. Sales of Famous Amos products in non-supermarket
       channels are approximately $40 million annually.
 
     PURSUE ACQUISITIONS. Keebler intends to pursue additional acquisitions,
such as the President acquisition, that complement or provide further
opportunities to use its existing brands, manufacturing capabilities or
distribution systems.
 
                             RECENT KEEBLER HISTORY
 
     In September 1998, Keebler acquired President. President manufactures and
markets cookies, crackers, brownies and snack cakes. President's brands include
Famous Amos and Murray. President is the leading manufacturer of both Girl Scout
and sugar free cookies in the United States. In 1997, President had net sales of
$441.1 million and a 3.4% share of the U.S. cookie and cracker market.
 
     In June 1996, Keebler acquired Sunshine. By the end of 1996, Keebler
completed its planned integration of Sunshine's operations into those of
Keebler. The combination of Sunshine and Keebler allowed Keebler to achieve
efficiencies in administration, purchasing, production, marketing, sales and
distribution. In particular, Keebler incorporated the sales and distribution of
Sunshine retail branded products into Keebler's national DSD distribution system
which had excess capacity. Filling this excess capacity with Sunshine products
made Keebler's national DSD distribution system more efficient and allowed
Keebler to focus its sales and marketing efforts on its more profitable retail
branded products.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   10
 
     In January 1996, Artal, Flowers and certain of Keebler's current management
acquired the Keebler business which is referred to as the "Keebler acquisition."
Artal is a private investment company. Flowers, a New York Stock Exchange-listed
company, is one of the country's largest manufacturers and marketers of fresh
and frozen baked goods. Flowers currently owns approximately 55% of Keebler's
outstanding common stock and will own the same percentage after the offering.
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                            <C>
Common stock offered:
  U.S. offering............................................    12,960,000 Shares
  International offering...................................    3,240,000 Shares
                                                               ------------------------------
          Total(a).........................................    16,200,000 Shares
                                                               ==============================
Total shares outstanding as of December 8, 1998(b).........    84,108,164
Selling Stockholders.......................................    Artal and Claremont
Use of proceeds............................................    Keebler will not receive any
                                                               proceeds from the offering
New York Stock Exchange symbol.............................    KBL
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(a) If the U.S. Underwriters and the International Managers exercise the option
    granted to them in connection with the offering to purchase additional
    shares of common stock from Artal and Claremont to cover over-allotments,
    the total number of shares to be offered would increase by up to 1,628,729
    shares.
 
(b) Does not include 6,473,270 shares of common stock reserved for issuance
    under Keebler's 1996 Stock Option Plan, pursuant to which options to
    purchase 2,851,250 shares of common stock were outstanding as of December 8,
    1998. In addition, 6,500,000 shares of common stock have been reserved for
    issuance under the 1998 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan and 300,000 shares of
    common stock have been reserved for issuance under the Directors' Plan.
    Keebler has granted 2,726,736 options to purchase shares of common stock
    pursuant to the 1998 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan and 22,500 options to
    purchase shares of common stock pursuant to the Directors' Plan.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   11
 
               SUMMARY UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     The summary unaudited pro forma financial information below has been
derived from the Pro Forma Financial Information, as defined under "Unaudited
Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Information," included elsewhere in this
prospectus. The operating and other data give effect to the President
acquisition as if it had occurred on December 29, 1996. The summary unaudited
pro forma financial information below does not purport to represent what
Keebler's results of operations would have been if the President acquisition had
occurred on the date indicated or to project Keebler's results of operations for
any future period. The information below should be read together with the Pro
Forma Financial Information included elsewhere in this prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    FISCAL YEAR               FORTY WEEKS ENDED
                                                       ENDED         -----------------------------------
                                                  JANUARY 3, 1998    OCTOBER 4, 1997    OCTOBER 10, 1998
                                                     PRO FORMA          PRO FORMA          PRO FORMA
                                                  ---------------    ---------------    ----------------
                                                           (IN MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                               <C>                <C>                <C>
OPERATING DATA:
Net sales.......................................     $ 2,501.5          $ 1,889.3          $ 1,983.7
Income from operations..........................         163.0              117.4              152.1
Net income......................................          49.3               32.4               68.6
Diluted net income per share....................          0.61               0.40               0.79
Weighted average shares outstanding.............          80.6               80.1               87.4
OTHER DATA:
EBITDA, as adjusted(a)..........................     $   246.3          $   180.9          $   213.5
Depreciation and amortization...................          83.3               63.5               61.4
Capital expenditures............................          53.3               29.2               42.2
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(a) EBITDA, as adjusted, is defined as income from operations before interest,
    taxes, depreciation, amortization and restructuring charges. EBITDA, as
    adjusted, is presented as additional information because Keebler believes it
    to be a useful indicator of a company's ability to meet debt service and
    capital expenditure requirements. It is not, however, intended as an
    alternative measure of operating results or cash flow from operations (as
    determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles).
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   12
 
                 SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA
 
     The summary consolidated historical financial data below as of and for the
fiscal years ended January 1, 1994, December 31, 1994, December 30, 1995,
December 28, 1996 and January 3, 1998 have been derived from the consolidated
financial statements of Keebler and UB Investments US Inc. (the "Predecessor
Company") which have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent
public accountants. The summary consolidated historical financial data below of
Keebler as of and for the forty weeks ended October 4, 1997 and October 10, 1998
have been derived from unaudited financial statements of Keebler and, in the
opinion of Keebler, include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring
adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation thereof. The results of
operations below are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for
any future period. The information below should be read in conjunction with
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" and the consolidated financial statements incorporated by reference
into this prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               PREDECESSOR COMPANY
                                              ------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                            FOUR
                                                             YEAR ENDED                     WEEKS
                                              ----------------------------------------      ENDED
                                              JANUARY 1,   DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 30,   JANUARY 26,
                                                 1994          1994           1995          1996
                                              ----------   ------------   ------------   -----------
                                                                  (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                           <C>          <C>            <C>            <C>
OPERATING DATA:
Net sales...................................   $1,650.1      $1,599.7       $1,578.6       $101.7
Gross profit................................      931.5         894.2          831.8         46.8
Nonrecurring charges(c).....................      120.1            --           86.5           --
Income (loss) from continuing operations....      (67.6)         46.4         (137.9)       (25.5)
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  before extraordinary item and cumulative
  effect of accounting changes..............     (126.9)        (26.9)        (165.7)       (25.4)
Discontinued operations(d)..................        0.6           3.4            7.4         18.9
Extraordinary item(e).......................         --            --             --           --
Cumulative effect of accounting changes, net
  of tax....................................      (20.9)          0.5             --           --
Net income (loss)...........................     (147.2)        (23.0)        (158.3)        (6.5)
Diluted net income per share................         --            --             --           --
Weighted average shares outstanding.........         --            --             --           --
OTHER DATA:
EBITDA, as adjusted(f)......................   $   98.4      $   89.5       $  (93.3)      $(23.5)
Depreciation and amortization (excluding
  items related to discontinued
  operations)...............................       45.9          43.1           44.6          2.0
Capital expenditures (excluding expenditures
  related to discontinued operations).......       30.6          54.6           54.2          3.2
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT END OF PERIOD):
Cash and cash equivalents...................   $    6.4      $   12.5       $    3.0       $  2.1
Total assets................................    1,043.0       1,001.2          926.9        849.1
Due to affiliate............................      872.7         551.6          108.0        105.0
Total debt..................................      263.8         333.2          437.6        371.4
Shareholders' equity (deficit)..............     (511.9)       (234.9)          51.8         45.3
 
<CAPTION>
                                                                    KEEBLER
                                              ----------------------------------------------------
                                              FORTY-EIGHT                   FORTY         FORTY
                                                 WEEKS          YEAR        WEEKS         WEEKS
                                                 ENDED         ENDED        ENDED         ENDED
                                              DECEMBER 28,   JANUARY 3,   OCTOBER 4,   OCTOBER 10,
                                                1996(A)         1998         1997        1998(B)
                                              ------------   ----------   ----------   -----------
                                                      (IN MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                           <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>
OPERATING DATA:
Net sales...................................    $1,645.5      $2,065.2     $1,542.2     $1,626.7
Gross profit................................       871.3       1,177.2        873.7        948.4
Nonrecurring charges(c).....................          --            --           --           --
Income (loss) from continuing operations....        70.1         141.4         96.1        124.6
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  before extraordinary item and cumulative
  effect of accounting changes..............        17.7          62.4         39.1         62.4
Discontinued operations(d)..................          --            --           --           --
Extraordinary item(e).......................         1.9           5.4          2.7          1.7
Cumulative effect of accounting changes, net
  of tax....................................          --            --           --           --
Net income (loss)...........................        15.8          57.0         36.4         60.7
Diluted net income per share................        0.21          0.70         0.45         0.69
Weighted average shares outstanding.........        76.1          80.6         80.1         87.4
OTHER DATA:
EBITDA, as adjusted(f)......................    $  119.6      $  202.1     $  141.6     $  171.1
Depreciation and amortization (excluding
  items related to discontinued
  operations)...............................        49.5          60.7         45.5         46.5
Capital expenditures (excluding expenditures
  related to discontinued operations).......        29.4          48.4         26.1         36.0
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT END OF PERIOD):
Cash and cash equivalents...................    $   12.0      $   27.2     $   61.1     $   17.7
Total assets................................     1,102.1       1,042.9      1,116.1      1,633.6
Due to affiliate............................          --            --           --           --
Total debt..................................       457.9         298.8        401.8        654.7
Shareholders' equity (deficit)..............       165.1         222.0        201.5        297.4
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(a)Includes the operating results of Sunshine from the acquisition date of June
   4, 1996 through the end of the period presented. See "Management's Discussion
   and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
 
(b)Excludes President's results of operations for the thirteen days in the
   period after the acquisition of President on September 28, 1998. President's
   balance sheet data as of October 10, 1998 are included in the balance sheet
   data as of such date.
 
(c)Year ended January 1, 1994 includes a restructuring charge of $120.1 million
   and year ended December 30, 1995 includes the loss on the impairment of the
   Predecessor Company's Salty Snacks business of $86.5 million.
 
(d)Includes income from operations of the discontinued Frozen Food businesses,
   net of tax, of $0.6 million, $3.4 million and $7.4 million for the years
   ended January 1, 1994, December 31, 1994 and December 30, 1995, respectively.
   Includes a $18.9 million gain on the disposal of the discontinued Frozen Food
   businesses, net of tax, for the four weeks ended January 26, 1996.
 
(e)Relates to losses on the early extinguishment of debt, net of tax.
 
(f)EBITDA, as adjusted, is defined as income (loss) from continuing operations
   before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and restructuring charges.
   EBITDA, as adjusted, is presented as additional information because Keebler
   believes it to be a useful indicator of a company's ability to meet debt
   service and capital expenditure requirements. It is not, however, intended as
   an alternative measure of operating results or cash flow from operations (as
   determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles).
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   13
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     You should carefully consider the following factors and other information
in this prospectus before deciding to invest in shares of common stock.
 
ADVERSE EFFECTS OF COMPETITION ON KEEBLER'S PERFORMANCE
 
     The cookie and cracker market and the other markets in which Keebler
operates are mature and highly competitive. Competition in these markets takes
many forms, including the following:
 
     - establishing favorable brand recognition;
     - developing products sought by consumers;
     - implementing appropriate pricing;
     - providing strong marketing support; and
     - obtaining access to retail outlets and sufficient shelf space.
 
     In many of Keebler's markets, there are competitors that are larger and
have greater financial resources than Keebler, including Keebler's primary
competitor, Nabisco. Competition could cause Keebler to lose market share,
increase expenditures or reduce pricing which could have a material adverse
effect on Keebler's business or financial results.
 
INCREASES IN PRICES OF MAIN INGREDIENTS AND OTHER MATERIALS
 
     The main ingredients that Keebler uses to manufacture its products are
flour, sugar, chocolate, shortening and milk. Keebler also uses paper products,
such as corrugated cardboard, as well as films and plastics, to package its
products. The prices of these materials have been, and Keebler expects them to
continue to be, subject to significant volatility. Keebler may not be able to
pass price increases in these materials on to its customers. Although Keebler
has mitigated the effects of such price increases in the past through its
hedging programs, Keebler may not be successful in protecting itself from
increases in the future. See "Business -- Raw Materials" for a further
discussion of the raw materials used in Keebler's business.
 
DEPENDENCE ON SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM
 
     Keebler believes that its ability to successfully implement its business
strategy and to operate profitably depends on the continued employment of its
senior management team. If members of the management team become unable or
unwilling to continue in their present positions, Keebler's business and
financial results could be materially adversely affected.
 
MAJORITY CONTROL OF KEEBLER BY A SINGLE STOCKHOLDER
 
     Flowers owns approximately 55% of Keebler's outstanding common stock.
Accordingly, Flowers controls Keebler and has the power to elect a majority of
the directors, appoint management and approve certain actions requiring the
approval of a majority of Keebler's stockholders. The interests of Flowers could
conflict with the interests of other stockholders of Keebler.
 
IMPACT OF GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION ON KEEBLER'S OPERATIONS
 
     Keebler's operations and properties are subject to regulation by various
federal, state and local government entities and agencies. As a producer of food
products, Keebler's operations are subject to stringent production, packaging,
quality, labeling and distribution standards, including the Federal Food and
Drug Act. The operations of Keebler's production and distribution facilities are
subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws and workplace
regulations. These laws and regulations include the Occupational Safety and
Health Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water
Act. Keebler believes that its current legal and environmental compliance
programs adequately address such concerns and that it is in substantial
compliance with applicable laws and regulations. However, compliance with, or
any violation of, current and future laws or regulations could require
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   14
 
material expenditures by Keebler or otherwise adversely affect Keebler's
business or financial results. See "Business -- Regulation; -- Environmental"
for a further discussion of the environmental and other regulations to which
Keebler's operations and properties are subject.
 
TRADEMARKS AND OTHER PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
 
     Keebler believes that its trademarks and other proprietary rights are
important to its success and its competitive position. Accordingly, Keebler
devotes substantial resources to the establishment and protection of its
trademarks and proprietary rights. However, the actions taken by Keebler to
establish and protect its trademarks and other proprietary rights may be
inadequate to prevent imitation of its products by others or to prevent others
from claiming violations of their trademarks and proprietary rights by Keebler.
See "Business -- Intellectual Property" for a further discussion of the
trademarks and proprietary rights used in Keebler's business.
 
PRODUCT LIABILITY; PRODUCT RECALLS
 
     Keebler may be liable if the consumption of any of its products causes
injury, illness or death. Keebler also may be required to recall certain of its
products should they become contaminated or are damaged. Keebler's management is
not aware of any material product liability claim against Keebler or possible
product recall by Keebler. However, a product liability judgment against Keebler
or a product recall could have a material adverse effect on Keebler's business
or financial results.
 
SUPERMARKET CONSOLIDATION
 
     The number of supermarket chains, Keebler's primary customers, has been
reduced in the last several years as supermarket chains have acquired each
other. The larger supermarket customers that have resulted from this
consolidation may seek more favorable terms for their purchases of Keebler's
products. Although Keebler has not received requests for more favorable terms
from these customers, Keebler is aware of other supermarket suppliers who have
received such requests. Keebler sales to its supermarket customers on terms more
favorable to such customers could have a material adverse effect on Keebler's
financial results.
 
RESTRICTIONS ON PAYMENTS WITH RESPECT TO COMMON STOCK
 
     Keebler's ability to pay dividends on, or repurchase shares of, its common
stock is limited under the terms of its existing debt agreements. Keebler does
not currently intend to pay any cash dividends.
 
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
     The market price of the common stock could drop as a result of sales of a
large number of unregistered shares of common stock in the market after the
offering, or the perception that such sales could occur. These factors also
could make it more difficult for Keebler to raise funds through future offerings
of common stock.
 
     There will be 84,108,164 shares of common stock outstanding immediately
after the offering. Of these shares, 29,586,661 will be freely transferable
without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except for
any shares purchased by "affiliates" of Keebler, as defined in Rule 144 under
the Securities Act. The remaining 54,521,503 shares of common stock outstanding,
including the 46,197,466 shares held by Flowers, will be "restricted securities"
as defined in Rule 144. These shares may be sold in the future without
registration under the Securities Act to the extent permitted by Rule 144 or an
exemption under the Securities Act.
 
     In connection with the offering, Keebler's executive officers and directors
have agreed that, with certain exceptions, they will not sell any shares of
common stock without the consent of Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation for
60 days after the date of this prospectus. In addition, Keebler and certain of
its stockholders have agreed not to sell any shares of common stock without the
consent of Credit Suisse
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   15
 
First Boston Corporation for 90 days after the date of this prospectus. See
"Underwriting" for a further discussion of such restrictions and exceptions.
 
CERTAIN ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS; PREFERRED STOCK
 
     Certain provisions of Keebler's certificate of incorporation could make it
more difficult for a third party to acquire control of Keebler, even if such
change in control would be beneficial to stockholders. The certificate of
incorporation allows Keebler to issue preferred stock without stockholder
approval. Such issuances could make it more difficult for a third party to
acquire Keebler.
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   16
 
             UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     The following unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information (the
"Pro Forma Financial Information") is based on the historical financial
statements of Keebler and President during the periods presented, adjusted to
give effect to the President acquisition.
 
     The Pro Forma Financial Information for the fiscal year ended January 3,
1998, the forty weeks ended October 4, 1997 and October 10, 1998 give effect to
the President acquisition as if it had occurred on December 29, 1996. The
adjustments are described in the accompanying notes and are based upon available
information and certain assumptions that management believes are reasonable. The
President acquisition will be accounted for using the purchase method of
accounting. The total purchase consideration for the acquisition of President
was allocated to the tangible and intangible assets and liabilities of President
based on their estimated respective fair values. The amount in excess of such
fair values has been accounted for as goodwill. The allocation of the aggregate
purchase price assumed for preparation of the Pro Forma Financial Statements is
preliminary as Keebler believes further refinement is impractical to perform at
this time. However, Keebler does not expect the final allocation of the purchase
price will materially differ from the preliminary allocation set forth herein.
 
     The Pro Forma Financial Information does not purport to represent what
Keebler's results of operations would actually have been had the President
acquisition in fact occurred on December 29, 1996 or to project Keebler's
results of operations for any future period.
 
  UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
                                JANUARY 3, 1998
 
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                         HISTORICAL
                                             -----------------------------------
                                                 KEEBLER           PRESIDENT
                                               FISCAL YEAR        FISCAL YEAR
                                                  ENDED              ENDED          PRO FORMA      PRO FORMA
                                             JANUARY 3, 1998   DECEMBER 27, 1997   RECLASSES(A)   ADJUSTMENTS    PRO FORMA
                                             ---------------   -----------------   ------------   -----------    ---------
                                                                  (IN MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                          <C>               <C>                 <C>            <C>            <C>
OPERATING DATA:
Net sales..................................     $2,065.2            $441.1            $(4.8)                     $2,501.5
Costs and expenses:
  Cost of sales............................        888.0             276.3             (8.8)                      1,155.5
  Selling, marketing and administrative
    expenses...............................      1,026.3             123.9              5.0         $  5.1 (b)    1,160.3
  Other....................................          9.5              11.9             (0.8)           2.1 (c)       22.7
                                                --------            ------            -----         ------       --------
Income from operations.....................        141.4              29.0             (0.2)          (7.2)         163.0
  Interest expense, net....................         33.8              13.9             (0.2)           9.1 (d)       56.6
                                                --------            ------            -----         ------       --------
Income before income tax expense...........        107.6              15.1               --          (16.3)         106.4
  Income tax expense.......................         45.2               8.1               --           (3.6)(e)       49.7
                                                --------            ------            -----         ------       --------
Income before equity in net loss of joint
  ventures.................................         62.4               7.0               --          (12.7)          56.7
  Equity in net loss of joint ventures.....           --               3.1               --           (3.1)(f)         --
                                                --------            ------            -----         ------       --------
Income before extraordinary item...........         62.4               3.9               --           (9.6)          56.7
Extraordinary item:
  Loss on early extinguishment of debt, net
    of tax.................................          5.4                --               --            2.0 (g)        7.4
                                                --------            ------            -----         ------       --------
Net income.................................     $   57.0            $  3.9            $  --         $(11.6)      $   49.3
                                                ========            ======            =====         ======       ========
Basic net income per share:
  Income before extraordinary item.........     $   0.80                                                         $   0.73
  Extraordinary item.......................         0.07                                                             0.10
                                                --------                                                         --------
  Net income...............................     $   0.73                                                         $   0.63
                                                ========                                                         ========
Weighted average shares outstanding........         77.6                                                             77.6
                                                ========                                                         ========
Diluted net income per share:
  Income before extraordinary item.........     $   0.77                                                         $   0.70
  Extraordinary item.......................         0.07                                                             0.09
                                                --------                                                         --------
  Net income...............................     $   0.70                                                         $   0.61
                                                ========                                                         ========
Weighted average shares outstanding........         80.6                                                             80.6
                                                ========                                                         ========
OTHER DATA:
EBITDA, as adjusted(h).....................     $  202.1            $ 46.5            $(0.2)        $ (2.1)      $  246.3
Depreciation and amortization..............         60.7              17.5               --            5.1           83.3
Capital expenditures.......................         48.4               4.9               --             --           53.3
</TABLE>
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   17
 
  UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE FORTY WEEKS
                             ENDED OCTOBER 4, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      HISTORICAL
                                         ------------------------------------
                                             KEEBLER           PRESIDENT
                                           FORTY WEEKS        THIRTY-NINE
                                              ENDED           WEEKS ENDED        PRO FORMA      PRO FORMA
                                         OCTOBER 4, 1997   SEPTEMBER 27, 1997   RECLASSES(A)   ADJUSTMENTS   PRO FORMA
                                         ---------------   ------------------   ------------   -----------   ---------
                                                              (IN MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                      <C>               <C>                  <C>            <C>           <C>
OPERATING DATA:
Net sales..............................     $1,542.2             $350.8            $(3.7)                    $1,889.3
Costs and expenses:
  Cost of sales........................        668.5              217.8             (6.4)                       879.9
  Selling, marketing and administrative
    expenses...........................        770.5               96.0              2.8         $  3.9 (b)     873.2
  Other................................          7.1                9.8              0.2            1.7 (c)      18.8
                                            --------             ------            -----         ------      --------
Income from operations.................         96.1               27.2             (0.3)          (5.6)        117.4
  Interest expense, net................         28.6               10.8             (0.3)           8.2 (d)      47.3
                                            --------             ------            -----         ------      --------
Income before income tax expense.......         67.5               16.4               --          (13.8)         70.1
  Income tax expense...................         28.4                8.1               --           (3.5)(e)      33.0
                                            --------             ------            -----         ------      --------
Income before equity in net loss of
  joint ventures.......................         39.1                8.3               --          (10.3)
  Equity in net loss of joint
    ventures...........................           --                1.9               --           (1.9)(f)      37.1
                                            --------             ------            -----         ------      --------
Income before extraordinary item.......         39.1                6.4               --           (8.4)         37.1
Extraordinary item:
  Loss on early extinguishment of debt,
    net of tax.........................          2.7                 --               --            2.0 (g)       4.7
                                            --------             ------            -----         ------      --------
Net income.............................     $   36.4             $  6.4            $  --         $(10.4)     $   32.4
                                            ========             ======            =====         ======      ========
Basic net income per share:
  Income before extraordinary item.....     $   0.50                                                         $   0.48
  Extraordinary item...................         0.04                                                             0.06
                                            --------                                                         --------
  Net income...........................     $   0.46                                                         $   0.42
                                            ========                                                         ========
Weighted average shares outstanding....         77.6                                                             77.6
                                            ========                                                         ========
Diluted net income per share:
  Income before extraordinary item.....     $   0.49                                                         $   0.46
  Extraordinary item...................         0.04                                                             0.06
                                            --------                                                         --------
  Net income...........................     $   0.45                                                         $   0.40
                                            ========                                                         ========
Weighted average shares outstanding....         80.1                                                             80.1
                                            ========                                                         ========
OTHER DATA:
EBITDA, as adjusted(h).................     $  141.6             $ 41.3            $(0.3)        $ (1.7)     $  180.9
Depreciation and amortization..........         45.5               14.1               --            3.9          63.5
Capital expenditures...................         26.1                3.1               --             --          29.2
</TABLE>
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   18
 
  UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE FORTY WEEKS
                             ENDED OCTOBER 10, 1998
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       HISTORICAL
                                          -------------------------------------
                                              KEEBLER            PRESIDENT
                                            FORTY WEEKS         THIRTY-NINE
                                               ENDED            WEEKS ENDED        PRO FORMA      PRO FORMA
                                          OCTOBER 10, 1998   SEPTEMBER 26, 1998   RECLASSES(A)   ADJUSTMENTS    PRO FORMA
                                          ----------------   ------------------   ------------   -----------    ---------
                                                                (IN MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                       <C>                <C>                  <C>            <C>            <C>
OPERATING DATA:
Net sales...............................      $1,626.7             $360.8            $(3.8)                     $1,983.7
Costs and expenses:
  Cost of sales.........................         678.3              218.8             (5.2)                        891.9
  Selling, marketing and administrative
    expenses............................         816.7              102.2              1.8         $  3.9 (b)      924.6
  Other.................................           7.1                6.4             (0.1)           1.7 (c)       15.1
                                              --------             ------            -----         ------       --------
Income from operations..................         124.6               33.4             (0.3)          (5.6)         152.1
  Gain on sale of the joint ventures....            --                7.7               --             --            7.7
  Interest expense, net.................          17.0                9.2             (0.3)           8.5 (d)       34.4
                                              --------             ------            -----         ------       --------
Income before income tax expense........         107.6               31.9               --          (14.1)         125.4
  Income tax expense....................          45.2               10.2               --           (0.6)(e)       54.8
                                              --------             ------            -----         ------       --------
Income before equity in net loss of
  joint ventures........................          62.4               21.7               --          (13.5)          70.6
  Equity in net loss of joint
    ventures............................            --                2.2               --           (2.2)(f)         --
                                              --------             ------            -----         ------       --------
Income before extraordinary item........          62.4               19.5               --          (11.3)          70.6
Extraordinary item:
  Loss on early extinguishment of debt,
    net of tax..........................           1.7                0.7               --           (0.4)(g)        2.0
                                              --------             ------            -----         ------       --------
Net income..............................      $   60.7             $ 18.8            $  --         $(10.9)      $   68.6
                                              ========             ======            =====         ======       ========
 
Basic net income per share:
  Income before extraordinary item......      $   0.75                                                          $   0.85
  Extraordinary item....................          0.02                                                              0.02
                                              --------                                                          --------
  Net income............................      $   0.73                                                          $   0.83
                                              ========                                                          ========
Weighted average shares outstanding.....          83.1                                                              83.1
                                              ========                                                          ========
Diluted net income per share:
  Income before extraordinary item......      $   0.71                                                          $   0.81
  Extraordinary item....................          0.02                                                              0.02
                                              --------                                                          --------
  Net income............................      $   0.69                                                          $   0.79
                                              ========                                                          ========
Weighted average shares outstanding.....          87.4                                                              87.4
                                              ========                                                          ========
OTHER DATA:
EBITDA, as adjusted(h)..................      $  171.1             $ 44.4            $(0.3)        $ (1.7)      $  213.5
Depreciation and amortization...........          46.5               11.0               --            3.9           61.4
Capital expenditures....................          36.0                6.2               --             --           42.2
</TABLE>
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   19
 
        NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     (a) Pro forma reclassifications to conform President's consolidated results
of operations with the Keebler basis of presentation. The more significant
adjustments include the reclassification of warehousing and shipping expenses
from cost of sales to selling, marketing and administrative expenses and the
reclassification of cash discounts and sales returns from selling, marketing and
administrative expenses to net sales.
 
     (b) Additional depreciation resulting from the preliminary valuation of
President property, plant and equipment.
 
     (c) Reflects a net increase in other expenses due to:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              FISCAL YEAR   FORTY WEEKS   FORTY WEEKS
                                                                 ENDED         ENDED         ENDED
                                                              JANUARY 3,    OCTOBER 4,    OCTOBER 10,
                                                                 1998          1997          1998
                                                              -----------   -----------   -----------
                                                                           (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>           <C>
  Additional goodwill amortization expense associated with
     the President acquisition over a forty year life.......     $1.3          $1.1          $1.1
  Amortization of costs associated with the President
     acquisition over a five year life......................      0.8           0.6           0.6
                                                                 ----          ----          ----
                                                                 $2.1          $1.7          $1.7
                                                                 ====          ====          ====
</TABLE>
 
     (d) The following adjustments to net interest expense reflect the
additional borrowings associated with the President acquisition:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              FISCAL YEAR   FORTY WEEKS   FORTY WEEKS
                                                                 ENDED         ENDED         ENDED
                                                              JANUARY 3,    OCTOBER 4,    OCTOBER 10,
                                                                 1998          1997          1998
                                                              -----------   -----------   -----------
                                                                           (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>           <C>
  Elimination of President's historical interest expense....    $(12.9)        $(9.7)        $(8.3)
  Additional interest expense related to the New Credit
     Facilities.............................................      22.3          18.2          17.1
  Eliminate Keebler's amortization of debt issuance costs
     related to debt extinguished as part of the
     acquisition............................................      (0.6)         (0.5)         (0.5)
  Amortization of new debt issuance costs...................       0.3           0.2           0.2
                                                                ------         -----         -----
                                                                $  9.1         $ 8.2         $ 8.5
                                                                ======         =====         =====
</TABLE>
 
     (e) The pro forma adjustment to income tax expense assumes a combined
effective tax rate of 46.7% for the year ended January 3, 1998, 47.1% for the
forty weeks ended October 4, 1997 and 43.7% for the forty weeks ended October
10, 1998 .
 
     (f) Elimination of the equity in net loss of joint ventures, which were
sold by President prior to the acquisition of President by Keebler.
 
     (g) Reflects a net increase (decrease) in the extraordinary item due to:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             FISCAL YEAR   FORTY WEEKS   FORTY WEEKS
                                                                ENDED         ENDED         ENDED
                                                             JANUARY 3,    OCTOBER 4,    OCTOBER 10,
                                                                1998          1997          1998
                                                             -----------   -----------   -----------
<S>                                                          <C>           <C>           <C>
  Elimination of the President extraordinary item
     associated with writing off unamortized debt issuance
     costs.................................................     $ --          $ --          $(0.7)
  Write off Keebler debt issuance costs related to debt
     extinguished as part of the acquisition, net of income
     taxes.................................................      2.0           2.0            0.3
                                                                ----          ----          -----
                                                                $2.0          $2.0          $(0.4)
                                                                ====          ====          =====
</TABLE>
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   20
 
     (h) EBITDA, as adjusted, is defined as income from operations before
interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and restructuring charges. EBITDA,
as adjusted, is presented as additional information because Keebler believes it
to be a useful indicator of a company's ability to meet debt service and capital
expenditure requirements. It is not, however, intended as an alternative measure
of operating results or cash flow from operations (as determined in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles).
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   21
 
                       SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA
 
     The selected historical financial data presented below as of and for the
fiscal years ended January 1, 1994, December 31, 1994, December 30, 1995,
December 28, 1996 and January 3, 1998 have been derived from the consolidated
financial statements of Keebler and the Predecessor Company incorporated by
reference into this prospectus, which have been audited by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent public accountants. The unaudited
consolidated financial data of Keebler as of and for the forty weeks ended
October 4, 1997 and October 10, 1998 have been derived from unaudited financial
statements of Keebler incorporated by reference into this prospectus and, in the
opinion of Keebler, include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring
adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation thereof. The results of
operations presented below are not necessarily indicative of results to be
expected for any future period. The information set forth below should be read
in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations" and the consolidated financial statements
incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                PREDECESSOR COMPANY
                                               ------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                             FOUR
                                                              YEAR ENDED                     WEEKS
                                               ----------------------------------------      ENDED
                                               JANUARY 1,   DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 30,   JANUARY 26,
                                                  1994          1994           1995          1996
                                               ----------   ------------   ------------   -----------
                                                            (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                            <C>          <C>            <C>            <C>
OPERATING DATA:
Net sales....................................   $1,650.1      $1,599.7       $1,578.6       $101.7
Costs and expenses:
  Cost of sales..............................      718.6         705.5          746.8         54.9
  Selling, marketing and administrative
    expenses.................................      878.9         845.7          884.6         71.4
  Restructuring charges......................      120.1            --             --           --
  Loss on impairment of Salty Snacks
    business.................................         --            --           86.5           --
  Other......................................        0.1           2.1           (1.4)         0.9
                                                --------      --------       --------       ------
Income (loss) from continuing operations.....      (67.6)         46.4         (137.9)       (25.5)
Interest expense (income), net...............       81.6          74.4           28.3         (0.1)
                                                --------      --------       --------       ------
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  before income taxes........................     (149.2)        (28.0)        (166.2)       (25.4)
Income tax expense (benefit).................      (22.3)         (1.1)          (0.5)          --
                                                --------      --------       --------       ------
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  before extraordinary item and cumulative
  effect of accounting changes...............     (126.9)        (26.9)        (165.7)       (25.4)
Discontinued operations:
  Income from operations of discontinued
    Frozen Food businesses, net of tax.......        0.6           3.4            7.4           --
  Gain on disposal of Frozen Food businesses,
    net of tax...............................         --            --             --         18.9
                                                --------      --------       --------       ------
Income (loss) before extraordinary item and
  cumulative effect of accounting changes....     (126.3)        (23.5)        (158.3)        (6.5)
Extraordinary item:
  Loss on early extinguishment of debt, net
    of tax...................................         --            --             --           --
                                                --------      --------       --------       ------
Income (loss) before cumulative effect of
  accounting changes.........................     (126.3)        (23.5)        (158.3)        (6.5)
  Cumulative effect of accounting changes,
    net of tax...............................      (20.9)          0.5             --           --
                                                --------      --------       --------       ------
Net income (loss)............................   $ (147.2)     $  (23.0)      $ (158.3)      $ (6.5)
                                                ========      ========       ========       ======
Diluted net income (loss) per share..........         --            --             --           --
Weighted average shares outstanding..........         --            --             --           --
OTHER DATA:
EBITDA, as adjusted(c).......................   $   98.4      $   89.5       $  (93.3)      $(23.5)
Depreciation and amortization (excluding
  items related to discontinued
  operations)................................       45.9          43.1           44.6          2.0
Capital expenditures (excluding expenditures
  related to discontinued operations)........       30.6          54.6           54.2          3.2
CASH FLOW DATA:
Cash provided from (used by)
  Operating activities.......................   $   22.0      $  (17.4)      $  (61.4)      $ (0.4)
  Investing activities.......................      (92.1)        (45.9)         (52.6)        65.2
  Financing activities.......................       58.3          69.4          104.4        (65.7)
                                                --------      --------       --------       ------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash
  equivalents................................   $  (11.8)     $    6.1       $   (9.6)      $ (0.9)
                                                ========      ========       ========       ======
 
<CAPTION>
                                                                     KEEBLER
                                               ----------------------------------------------------
                                               FORTY-EIGHT                   FORTY         FORTY
                                                  WEEKS          YEAR        WEEKS         WEEKS
                                                  ENDED         ENDED        ENDED         ENDED
                                               DECEMBER 28,   JANUARY 3,   OCTOBER 4,   OCTOBER 10,
                                                 1996(A)         1998         1997        1998(B)
                                               ------------   ----------   ----------   -----------
                                                       (IN MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                            <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>
OPERATING DATA:
Net sales....................................    $1,645.5      $2,065.2     $1,542.2     $1,626.7
Costs and expenses:
  Cost of sales..............................       774.2         888.0        668.5        678.3
  Selling, marketing and administrative
    expenses.................................       794.8       1,026.3        770.5        816.7
  Restructuring charges......................          --            --           --           --
  Loss on impairment of Salty Snacks
    business.................................          --            --           --           --
  Other......................................         6.4           9.5          7.1          7.1
                                                 --------      --------     --------     --------
Income (loss) from continuing operations.....        70.1         141.4         96.1        124.6
Interest expense (income), net...............        38.4          33.8         28.6         17.0
                                                 --------      --------     --------     --------
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  before income taxes........................        31.7         107.6         67.5        107.6
Income tax expense (benefit).................        14.0          45.2         28.4         45.2
                                                 --------      --------     --------     --------
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  before extraordinary item and cumulative
  effect of accounting changes...............        17.7          62.4         39.1         62.4
Discontinued operations:
  Income from operations of discontinued
    Frozen Food businesses, net of tax.......          --            --           --           --
  Gain on disposal of Frozen Food businesses,
    net of tax...............................          --            --           --           --
                                                 --------      --------     --------     --------
Income (loss) before extraordinary item and
  cumulative effect of accounting changes....        17.7          62.4         39.1         62.4
Extraordinary item:
  Loss on early extinguishment of debt, net
    of tax...................................         1.9           5.4          2.7          1.7
                                                 --------      --------     --------     --------
Income (loss) before cumulative effect of
  accounting changes.........................        15.8          57.0         36.4         60.7
  Cumulative effect of accounting changes,
    net of tax...............................          --            --           --           --
                                                 --------      --------     --------     --------
Net income (loss)............................    $   15.8      $   57.0     $   36.4     $   60.7
                                                 ========      ========     ========     ========
Diluted net income (loss) per share..........    $   0.21      $   0.70     $   0.45     $   0.69
                                                 --------      --------     --------     --------
                                                 --------      --------     --------     --------
Weighted average shares outstanding..........        76.1          80.6         80.1         87.4
                                                 ========      ========     ========     ========
OTHER DATA:
EBITDA, as adjusted(c).......................    $  119.6      $  202.1     $  141.6     $  171.1
Depreciation and amortization (excluding
  items related to discontinued
  operations)................................        49.5          60.7         45.5         46.5
Capital expenditures (excluding expenditures
  related to discontinued operations)........        29.4          48.4         26.1         36.0
CASH FLOW DATA:
Cash provided from (used by)
  Operating activities.......................    $   53.2      $  218.3     $  128.1     $  103.4
  Investing activities.......................      (130.1)        (41.5)       (20.8)      (480.1)
  Financing activities.......................        86.8        (161.6)       (58.2)       367.2
                                                 --------      --------     --------     --------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash
  equivalents................................    $    9.9      $   15.2     $   49.1     $   (9.5)
                                                 ========      ========     ========     ========
</TABLE>
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   22
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      AS OF                                      AS OF
                                             -------------------------------------------------------   -------------------------
                                             -------------------------------------------------------   -------------------------
                                             JANUARY 1,   DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 30,    JANUARY 26,   DECEMBER 28,   JANUARY 3,
                                                1994          1994           1995           1996           1996          1998
                                             ----------   ------------   -------------   -----------   ------------   ----------
                                                                  (IN MILLIONS)                              (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                          <C>          <C>            <C>             <C>           <C>            <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents..................   $    6.4      $   12.5        $  3.0         $  2.1        $   12.0      $   27.2
Total assets...............................    1,043.0       1,001.2         926.9          849.1         1,102.1       1,042.9
Due to affiliate...........................      872.7         551.6         108.0          105.0              --            --
Total debt.................................      263.8         333.2         437.6          371.4           457.9         298.8
Shareholders' equity (deficit).............     (511.9)       (234.9)         51.8           45.3           165.1         222.0
 
<CAPTION>
                                                       AS OF
                                             -------------------------
                                             -------------------------
                                             OCTOBER 4,    OCTOBER 10,
                                                1997          1998
                                             -----------   -----------
                                                   (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                          <C>           <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents..................   $   61.1      $   17.7
Total assets...............................    1,116.1       1,633.6
Due to affiliate...........................         --            --
Total debt.................................      401.8         654.7
Shareholders' equity (deficit).............      201.5         297.4
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(a) Includes the operating results of Sunshine from the acquisition date of June
    4, 1996 through the end of the period presented. See "Management's
    Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
 
(b) Excludes President's results of operations for the thirteen days in the
    period following the acquisition date of September 28, 1998. President's
    balance sheet data as of October 10, 1998 are included in the balance sheet
    data as of such date.
 
(c) EBITDA, as adjusted, is defined as income (loss) from continuing operations
    before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and restructuring
    charges. EBITDA, as adjusted, is presented as additional information because
    Keebler believes it to be a useful indicator of a company's ability to meet
    debt service and capital expenditure requirements. It is not, however,
    intended as an alternative measure of operating results or cash flow from
    operations (as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting
    principles).
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   23
 
          MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                           AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
OVERVIEW
 
     General
 
     Keebler sells cookies and crackers, custom-baked products to other
manufacturers of branded food products, pie crusts and ice cream cones. Net
sales are principally affected by product pricing and quality, brand
recognition, new product introductions and product line extensions, marketing
and service. Keebler manages these factors to achieve a sales mix favoring its
higher margin products while driving volume through its national DSD
distribution system.
 
     The principal elements comprising Keebler's cost of sales are raw and
packaging materials, labor and manufacturing overhead. The major raw materials
used in the manufacture of Keebler's products are flour, sugar, chocolate,
shortening and milk. Keebler also uses paper products, such as corrugated
cardboard, as well as films and plastics to package its products. The prices of
these raw materials have been subject to significant volatility. Keebler has
mitigated the effect of such price increases in the past through its hedging
programs, but may not be successful in protecting itself from increases in the
future. In addition to the foregoing factors, cost of sales are affected by the
efficiency of production methods and manufacturing capacity utilization.
 
     Keebler's selling, marketing and administrative expenses are comprised
mainly of labor and lease costs associated with Keebler's national DSD
distribution system, trade and consumer promotion costs, other advertising costs
and the cost of corporate offices. While costs associated with Keebler's
national DSD distribution system and the cost of corporate offices are generally
fixed, promotion and other advertising costs are more variable. Promotion and
other advertising costs represent the largest component of Keebler's cost
structure other than cost of sales and are principally influenced by changes in
net sales.
 
     Keebler is in the process of integrating President into its operations. In
connection with this integration, Keebler is currently undertaking a complete
analysis of its system-wide manufacturing and distribution operations as it
assesses opportunities to improve its operational efficiencies in 1999 and
beyond. Keebler currently anticipates that it will take a restructuring charge
during 1999 when its plans are finalized.
 
     Matters Affecting Comparability
 
     Keebler's operating results for the forty-eight weeks ended December 28,
1996 have been combined with the operating results of the Predecessor Company
for the four weeks ended January 26, 1996 to compare the years ended December
28, 1996 and December 30, 1995. Keebler's operating results for the year ended
December 28, 1996 include the operating results of Sunshine from its acquisition
date of June 4, 1996. Keebler's operating results for the forty weeks ended
October 10, 1998 exclude the operating results of President for the thirteen
days in the period following its acquisition date of September 28, 1998. Such
results will be included in Keebler's results for the year ending January 2,
1999. The operating results of Keebler have been restated to reflect the merger
with INFLO as if it had been effective January 26, 1996.
 
     For the year ended December 30, 1995, the financial results of the
Predecessor Company include the results of operations of the Salty Snacks
business. The Salty Snacks business was liquidated by prior management in
connection with the Keebler acquisition. The condensed results of operations of
the Salty
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   24
 
Snacks business, excluding allocations of the fixed portions of selling,
distribution and general administrative expenses, for that year were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  YEAR ENDED
                                               DECEMBER 30, 1995
                                               -----------------
                                                 (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                            <C>
Net sales....................................       $135.7
Loss from continuing operations..............        (25.6)
</TABLE>
 
     For the year ended December 30, 1995, the financial results of the
Predecessor Company also include the results of operations of the Frozen Food
businesses as a discontinued operation.
 
     Keebler's results of operations, expressed as a percentage of net sales,
for the last three years ended December 30, 1995, December 28, 1996 and January
3, 1998 and the forty week periods ended October 4, 1997 and October 10, 1998
are set forth below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          YEAR ENDED                     FORTY WEEKS ENDED
                                           ----------------------------------------   ------------------------
                                           DECEMBER 30,   DECEMBER 28,   JANUARY 3,   OCTOBER 4,   OCTOBER 10,
                                               1995           1996          1998         1997         1998
                                           ------------   ------------   ----------   ----------   -----------
<S>                                        <C>            <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>
Net sales................................      100.0%         100.0%       100.0%        100.0%       100.0%
Costs and expenses:
  Cost of sales..........................       47.3           47.5         43.0          43.3         41.7
  Selling, marketing and administrative
     expenses............................       56.0           49.6         49.7          50.0         50.2
  Loss on impairment of Salty Snacks
     business............................        5.5             --           --            --           --
  Other..................................       (0.1)           0.4          0.5           0.5          0.4
                                              ------         ------        -----        ------        -----
Income (loss) from continuing
  operations.............................       (8.7)           2.5          6.8           6.2          7.7
  Interest expense, net..................        1.8            2.2          1.6           1.8          1.1
                                              ------         ------        -----        ------        -----
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  before income taxes....................      (10.5)           0.3          5.2           4.4          6.6
  Income tax expense.....................         --            0.8          2.2           1.8          2.8
                                              ------         ------        -----        ------        -----
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  before extraordinary item and
  cumulative effect of accounting
  changes................................      (10.5)          (0.5)         3.0           2.6          3.8
Discontinued operations:
  Income from operations of Frozen Food
     businesses, net of tax..............        0.5             --           --            --           --
  Gain on disposal of Frozen Food
     businesses, net of tax..............         --            1.1           --            --           --
                                              ------         ------        -----        ------        -----
Income (loss) before extraordinary item
  and cumulative effect of accounting
  changes................................      (10.0)           0.6          3.0           2.6          3.8
Extraordinary item:
  Loss on early extinguishment of debt,
     net of tax..........................         --            0.1          0.3           0.2          0.1
                                              ------         ------        -----        ------        -----
Net income (loss)........................      (10.0)%          0.5%         2.7%          2.4%         3.7%
                                              ======         ======        =====        ======        =====
</TABLE>
 
COMPARISON OF FIRST FORTY WEEKS OF 1998 TO 1997
 
     Net Sales. For the forty weeks ended October 10, 1998, net sales of
$1,626.7 million were $84.5 million or 5.5% above the same period of the prior
year. Selected price increases combined with a favorable sales mix and volume
growth generated the increased revenue for the period. Sales of branded
products, including new products and line extensions of existing brands,
combined with wider distribution in nonsupermarket channels drove the volume
gains.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   25
 
     Gross Profit. Gross profit improvements were realized on a year-to-date
basis, with gross profit of $948.4 million, up $74.7 million from the same
period in 1997, or 1.6 percentage points as a percentage of net sales. Lower
production costs combined with the impact of price increases resulted in the
gross profit margin improvements when compared to the comparable period of a
year ago. Productivity and cost savings have been principally secured through
capital investment in bakery automation projects.
 
     Selling, Marketing and Administrative Expenses. Selling, marketing and
administrative expenses of $816.7 million for the forty weeks ended October 10,
1998 were $46.2 million higher than the comparable period in 1997. Higher
marketing and sales force expenses, offset partially by lower distribution
costs, primarily drove the increased spending for the forty week period. Higher
marketing expenses resulted from Keebler's continued focus on brand-building
advertising and consumer promotions, while improved inventory handling and
deployment accounted for a decline in distribution costs. For the forty weeks
ended October 10, 1998, selling, marketing and administrative expenses, as a
percentage of net sales, were 0.2 percentage points above the comparable prior
year period primarily due to increased marketing expenses.
 
     Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations. Income from continuing operations
was $28.5 million higher in the forty week period ended October 10, 1998 versus
the same period in 1997. The growth in operating income for the period was
principally attributable to higher revenues combined with productivity and cost
savings attained from a more efficient cost structure. Results, however, were
partially offset by higher selling, marketing and administrative expenses.
 
     Interest Expense. Net interest expense was $11.6 million lower for the
forty weeks ended October 10, 1998. The decline in net interest expense was
primarily attributable to more favorable interest rates in 1998 and up until
September 28, 1998, lower outstanding debt balances. Additional debt of $385.0
million was incurred on September 28, 1998 to finance the President acquisition.
Also contributing to the lower interest expense was a lower average debt balance
resulting from debt repayments consisting of $70.0 million of principal
pre-payments on term notes and a $29.0 million early extinguishment of a seller
note in the fourth quarter of 1997, as well as from the extinguishment of the
$145.0 million outstanding term note balance in September 1998. The weighted
average interest rate was 0.7 percentage points lower for the forty weeks ended
October 10, 1998 compared to the same period a year ago.
 
     Income Taxes. Income tax expense of $45.2 million for the forty weeks ended
October 10, 1998 was $16.8 million higher than the same period a year ago. The
increase in income tax expense was primarily due to higher pre-tax earnings.
Keebler provided for income taxes at an effective tax rate of 42%. The effective
tax rate exceeded the statutory rate due to nondeductible expenses, principally
amortization of intangibles, including trademarks, trade names and goodwill.
 
     Extraordinary Item Net of Income Taxes. In both 1998 and 1997, Keebler
recorded extraordinary charges for the write-off of unamortized bank fees
associated with the early extinguishment of debt. The debt extinguishment in the
forty week period ended October 10, 1998 was for the $145.0 million payoff of
the outstanding term note balance in conjunction with the $825.0 million of new
credit facilities (the "New Credit Facilities") entered into in connection with
the President acquisition. The after-tax extraordinary charge recorded was $1.7
million in the forty week period ended October 10, 1998 and $2.7 million in the
comparable period in 1997. Related tax benefits for the forty week period ended
October 10, 1998 and the comparable period in 1997 were $1.1 million and $1.9
million, respectively.
 
     Net Income (Loss). Net income for the forty week period ended October 10,
1998 of $60.7 million was $24.3 million higher than the prior year comparable
period. Increased net earnings were the result of revenue growth achieved
through both higher prices and sales mix changes, combined with lower operating
expenses achieved from cost savings programs and lower interest expense.
 
COMPARISON OF FISCAL 1997 TO 1996
 
     Net Sales. Net sales of $2,065.2 million in 1997 were $318.0 million, or
18.2%, higher than net sales of $1,747.2 million in 1996. The growth in net
sales for 1997 was achieved through incremental sales from both the Sunshine
acquisition and increased volumes. Sunshine results for 1996 were only included
from
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   26
 
the acquisition date of June 4, 1996. In 1996, net sales of Sunshine for the
twenty-two weeks ended June 4, 1996 were $229.8 million. Sunshine net sales, in
a full year-on-year comparison, were 27.3% and 29.6% of total Keebler net sales
in 1997 and 1996, respectively. In addition to the incremental revenue
associated with the Sunshine acquisition, increased volumes in 1997 provided
4.5% growth in net sales over the prior year. The volume growth was achieved
through emphasis on more profitable cookie and cracker products, while
discontinuing or repositioning less strategic products, and the introduction of
new products and line extensions.
 
     Gross Profit. Gross profit in 1997 of $1,177.2 million was $259.1 million
higher than the prior year and 4.5 percentage points better as a percent of net
sales. The increase in gross profit in 1997 was due to higher sales, lower
commodity and package material prices and the implementation of cost reduction
and productivity programs. Of the total improvement, approximately 64.5% was
attributed to incremental sales associated with both the Sunshine acquisition
and increased volume. The balance of the improvement was achieved mainly through
further automation of the manufacturing facilities and higher capacity
utilization attributed to streamlining the manufacturing facilities. The shift
toward higher margin brands benefited gross profit by $11.8 million compared to
the prior year. Also contributing to the increase in gross profit in 1997 were
lower prices paid for raw materials, particularly for flour and soybean oil, and
lower prices paid for package materials, primarily for carton, corrugated
cardboard and flexible film.
 
     Selling, Marketing and Administrative Expenses. Selling, marketing and
administrative expenses for 1997 of $1,026.2 million, or 49.7% of net sales,
increased $160.0 million from 1996, but remained relatively stable as a percent
of net sales. Spending rose in 1997 due to both the impact of higher sales and
increased marketing expense. The impact of higher sales contributed $126.9
million to the increase in selling, marketing and administrative expenses.
Marketing expense represented 23.8% of net sales in 1997 compared to 22.2% in
1996. The higher spending rate in 1997 was due to increased brand-building
national advertising and consumer promotions which were up $29.2 million over
the prior year. The increased spending as a result of these factors, along with
inflation, was offset by the impact of higher volumes in a more efficient,
relatively fixed cost, selling and distribution network. Therefore, selling,
marketing and administrative expenses as a percent of net sales remained
comparable to the prior year.
 
     Other. Other expense for 1997 was $2.3 million, or 32.0%, higher than 1996
primarily due to higher bank fees and amortization of intangibles. Bank fees in
1997 were higher than the prior year due to several amendments to Keebler's
financing agreement. Other expenses for 1997 included a full year of
amortization of trademarks and goodwill recorded as part of the Sunshine
acquisition compared to only twenty-eight weeks in 1996.
 
     Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations. Income from continuing operations
of $141.4 million was $96.7 million higher than 1996. The improvement was
attributed to a 18.2% increase in net sales driven by volume growth compounded
by enhanced gross margins resulting from a more profitable mix, cost reductions
and improved productivity. Total benefits realized more than offset incremental
marketing and amortization expense.
 
     Interest Expense. Interest expense of $33.8 million for 1997 was $4.5
million lower than in 1996, primarily due to a lower average debt balance in
1997. The decrease in the average debt balance was the result of principal
pre-payments of $113.8 million on term notes and a $29.0 million pre-payment of
a seller note. In addition, the weighted average interest rate for 1997 was 0.28
percentage points lower than the 1996 weighted average rate.
 
     Income Taxes. Income taxes for the year were provided at an effective tax
rate of 42%. The effective tax rate exceeded the statutory rate due to
nondeductible expenses, principally amortization of intangibles, including
trademarks, trade names and goodwill. In 1996, the effective tax rate for the
forty-eight weeks ended December 28, 1996 was 44.2% and was higher than the 1997
rate due to a preliminary estimate of nondeductible expenses. Income tax expense
was not provided for during the first four weeks of 1996. As part of the Keebler
acquisition, Keebler adjusted the valuation allowance on deferred taxes by $25.1
million to reflect the elimination of certain deferred tax assets revalued in
the purchase price allocation. Keebler carried a deferred tax valuation
allowance of $84.4 million at January 3, 1998 and
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   27
 
December 28, 1996 to provide for the uncertainty in realizing the deductibility
of deferred tax assets recognized. Pursuant to the terms of the Keebler
acquisition, the Predecessor Company retained the right to use the net operating
losses for potential carrybacks. Any unused operating losses are then available
to Keebler, but are significantly restricted under current tax law. Therefore,
all net operating loss carryforwards have been fully reserved due to the
uncertainty of their realization.
 
     Discontinued Operations. In 1995, the Predecessor Company adopted plans to
discontinue the operations of the Frozen Food businesses, and in the first four
weeks of 1996, a gain of $18.9 million, net of income taxes, was recognized on
the disposal of the Frozen Food businesses.
 
     Extraordinary Item Net of Income Taxes. In 1997 and 1996, Keebler recorded
extraordinary charges net of tax of $5.4 million and $1.9 million, respectively.
In 1997, $3.8 million of the extraordinary charges, net of tax, related to the
write-off of debt issuance costs associated with the early retirement of the
term notes. An additional $1.6 million net of tax extraordinary charge was
recorded due to a loss on the early extinguishment of a seller note entered into
at the time of the Keebler acquisition. In 1996, the $1.9 million extraordinary
charge, net of tax, related to the write-off of debt issuance costs associated
with the $125.0 million early extinguishment of increasing rate notes.
 
     Net Income (Loss). Net income of $57.0 million in 1997 was $47.7 million
higher than net income of $9.3 million for 1996. The substantial growth in net
income was the result of increased volume, the inclusion of the Sunshine
business for the entire year, improved gross margins and savings achieved by
leveraging the fixed cost structure of the sales and distribution network.
 
COMPARISON OF FISCAL 1996 TO 1995
 
     Net Sales. Net sales in 1996 increased $168.6 million, or 10.7%, over 1995.
Net sales in 1996 included Sunshine revenues of $291.2 million, while net sales
in 1995 included sales of the Salty Snacks business of $135.7 million. After
adjusting for these changes in Keebler's business, the year-on-year sales
increase was up $13.1 million compared to a year ago. Along with achieving this
growth, Keebler also shifted its sales focus to more profitable brands. The new
focus was accomplished through selected price increases on Keebler branded
cookie and cracker products, a more targeted marketing emphasis, new products
and the discontinuation of weaker products. While volumes in 1996 were
relatively flat compared to volumes in 1995, higher revenues were achieved
through these changes in product mix and selected price increases. Temporary
volume decreases in sales to convenience stores, associated with a change in the
selling organization and product discontinuations, were offset by volume gains
from new products and broadened distribution.
 
     Gross Profit. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales for 1996 was 52.6%
compared to 52.7% in 1995. While gross margins, in the aggregate, were down
slightly year-on-year, this belies the significant improvements that were
achieved. The change in sales mix noted above, resulted in an emphasis on more
profitable volume. However, the value-added products emphasized as part of the
1996 sales strategy carried higher production costs than the products sold in
1995. The impact on gross profit of this change in sales mix along with higher
flour prices contributed to higher cost of sales in 1996 versus 1995. Gross
profit margins in 1996 also reflect the inclusion of Sunshine products, which
historically carried a lower gross margin than Keebler branded products. The
impact of higher costs was more than fully offset by increasing capacity
utilization, cost reductions at the bakeries, as well as lowering scrap levels
and achieving a more balanced production. In addition, reductions in bakery
overhead staffing and a more efficient balancing of internal and co-packing
arrangements achieved a lower cost of production.
 
     Selling, Marketing and Administrative Expenses. Selling, marketing and
administrative expenses decreased $18.3 million and improved by 6.4 percentage
points as a percent of net sales in 1996 compared to 1995. Included in 1996
expenses were selling, marketing and administrative expenses of $131.9 million
directly attributable to the Sunshine business; while 1995 included expenses of
$87.4 million directly associated with the Salty Snacks business (excluding
allocation of the fixed portions of selling, distribution and administrative
expenses). Excluding these influences, selling, marketing and administrative
expenses decreased in 1996 compared to 1995 by $62.8 million. The improvement
was principally accomplished
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   28
 
through a targeted marketing plan behind Keebler branded products and Keebler's
cost reduction program to rationalize the selling and administrative cost
structure. In 1996, Keebler's focus on spending for trade promotions at the
store level resulted in higher trade allowances which were more than offset by
the $49.5 million decrease in national advertising and consumer promotions. The
cost reductions in the selling and administrative structures were achieved
primarily through headcount reductions of approximately 1,740 and changing from
a relatively higher cost step-van selling organization to independent
distributors to serve the convenience store channel. A decrease in research and
development costs of $9.6 million was primarily attributed to headcount
reductions, more focused new product programs in 1996 and lower project activity
due in part to the liquidation of the Salty Snacks business prior to the Keebler
acquisition. The cost reductions more than offset increased administrative
expenses of management incentives and increased depreciation as a result of the
Keebler and Sunshine acquisitions.
 
     Other. Other income and expense for 1996 was $7.2 million compared to $1.4
million of income for 1995. Other expense in 1996 consisted of $5.2 million of
amortization resulting from both the Keebler and Sunshine acquisitions and bank
service charges. In 1995, other income and expense consisted of $1.7 million of
amortization expense, $1.4 million of miscellaneous expenses and bank service
charges and other income of $4.5 million representing the gain on the sale of
interests in certain logos, trade names, trademarks and service marks registered
or pending registration in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Europe.
 
     Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations. Income from continuing operations
was $44.7 million in 1996, an improvement of $182.5 million over the loss from
continuing operations for 1995. After adjusting the 1995 net operating loss of
$137.9 million for the $25.6 million loss in the Salty Snacks business and the
impairment write down of $86.5 million associated with that business, the
earnings improvement in 1996 over 1995 was $70.5 million. The turnaround
resulted from improved gross margins on Keebler brands, more efficient marketing
expenditures and cost savings achieved in sales and distribution and corporate
overhead. The cumulative savings from these initiatives more than offset
incremental depreciation and amortization expense totaling $9.7 million recorded
as a result of the Keebler and Sunshine acquisitions.
 
     Interest Expense. For 1996, net interest expense was $38.4 million compared
to $28.3 million in 1995. The increase was due to the amortization of debt
issuance costs and higher overall borrowings carrying a higher average interest
rate as compared to the prior year.
 
     Income Taxes. Keebler provided for income taxes at an effective tax rate of
44.2% for the forty-eight weeks ended December 28, 1996. The Predecessor Company
did not provide for any income tax expense for the four weeks ended January 26,
1996. The effective tax rate was higher than the statutory rate because of
nondeductible expenses (principally, amortization of intangibles, including
trademarks, trade names and goodwill). In 1995, there was no provision for
income taxes due to operating losses incurred and the inability to carryback the
losses to recover taxes paid in prior years. As part of the Keebler acquisition,
Keebler adjusted the valuation allowance on deferred taxes by $25.1 million to
reflect the elimination of certain deferred tax assets revalued in the purchase
price allocation. At December 28, 1996, Keebler carried a deferred tax valuation
allowance of $84.4 million to provide for the uncertainty in realizing the
deductibility of deferred tax assets recognized. Pursuant to the terms of the
Keebler acquisition, the Predecessor Company retained the right to use the net
operating losses for potential carrybacks. Any unused operating losses are then
available to Keebler, but are significantly restricted under current tax law.
Therefore, all net operating loss carryforwards have been fully reserved due to
the uncertainty of their realization.
 
     Discontinued Operations. During 1995, the Predecessor Company decided to
dispose of the Frozen Food businesses and, therefore, presented the operations
of those businesses as a discontinued item in the statement of operations. In
the first four weeks of 1996, a gain of $18.9 million net of income taxes on the
disposal of the Frozen Food businesses was recognized.
 
     Extraordinary Item Net of Income Taxes. A before-tax extraordinary loss of
$3.2 million on the early extinguishment of debt was recorded in the second
quarter of 1996. The loss consisted primarily of the
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   29
 
write-off of unamortized bank fees incurred when Keebler replaced the Keebler
acquisition bridge loan with the $125.0 million of 10 3/4% Senior Subordinated
Notes. The tax benefit on the extraordinary loss was $1.3 million resulting in
an after-tax loss of $1.9 million.
 
     Net Income (Loss). Net income of $9.3 million for 1996 represented a
substantial improvement over the $158.3 million net loss for the prior year. The
improvement was attributable to operating improvements, the divestiture of the
unprofitable Salty Snacks business and the recognized gain of $18.9 million on
the disposition of the Frozen Food businesses.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
     A condensed cash flow statement of Keebler follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           FORTY
                                                                  YEAR ENDED            WEEKS ENDED
                                                          --------------------------    -----------
                                                          DECEMBER 28,    JANUARY 3,    OCTOBER 10,
                                                              1996           1998          1998
                                                          ------------    ----------    -----------
                                                                        (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                       <C>             <C>           <C>
CASH PROVIDED FROM (USED BY)
  Operating activities..................................     $ 52.8        $ 218.3        $ 103.4
  Investing activities..................................      (64.9)         (41.5)        (480.1)
  Financing activities..................................       21.1         (161.6)         367.2
                                                             ------        -------        -------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS........     $  9.0        $  15.2        $  (9.5)
                                                             ======        =======        =======
</TABLE>
 
Cash Flow for the Forty Weeks Ended October 10, 1998
 
     During the first forty weeks of 1998, cash provided from operating
activities was $103.4 million. Year-to-date net earnings of $60.7 million,
together with higher current liabilities and income taxes payable than those at
the end of the comparable period in 1997, drove the favorable cash flow. The
timing of payments principally drove the increased current liabilities while the
higher income taxes payable resulted from a 59.4% increase in pre-tax earnings
over the prior year. An increased investment in trade accounts receivable and
inventories compared to the levels at the end of the corresponding period in
1997 combined with spending on plant and facility closing costs and severance
partially offset the above cash sources. The increase in inventory reflected
normal seasonal inventory replenishment as the holiday season approaches.
Spending for plant and facility costs and severance of $5.3 million related to
exit costs associated with the Keebler and Sunshine acquisitions. Spending on
plant and facility closing costs and severance associated with these
acquisitions is expected to conclude by the end of 1998, with the exception of
noncancellable lease obligations which are expected to continue until 2004.
 
     Cash used for investing activities was $480.1 million for the period and
was directly attributable to the $444.8 million, net of cash acquired, used to
consummate the President acquisition. In addition, $36.0 million was used for
capital expenditures made to introduce new products, update and enhance
production facilities and achieve near-term cost savings and efficiencies in the
manufacturing, sales and distribution process.
 
     Financing activities for the first forty weeks of 1998 provided $367.2
million of cash principally from proceeds on long-term debt borrowings under the
New Credit Facilities. In order to finance the President acquisition, total debt
of $530.0 million was incurred under the New Credit Facilities. In addition,
cash proceeds totaling $19.8 million were received by Keebler as a result of
Bermore exercising a warrant in exchange for 6,135,781 shares of common stock at
the time of Keebler's initial public offering. Employee stock options exercised
during the year also provided another $0.5 million of cash. Partially offsetting
these cash sources was the $145.0 million pre-payment of the outstanding term
note balance and a $20.0 million repayment on the revolving facility.
Additionally, $5.7 million was used to repurchase common stock into treasury
under the stock repurchase program.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   30
 
     As of October 10, 1998, cash and cash equivalents were $17.7 million,
long-term debt outstanding was $551.4 million and current maturities were $103.3
million. Available borrowings under Keebler's revolving facility under the New
Credit Facilities were $350.0 million of which $85.0 million was outstanding as
of October 10, 1998. Keebler met all financial covenants contained in its
financing agreements. Available cash, as well as existing credit facilities, are
expected to be sufficient to meet Keebler's normal operating requirements for
the foreseeable future.
 
Cash Flow for 1997 and 1996
 
     Cash provided from operating activities was $218.3 million in 1997 which
was an increase of $165.5 million over the cash provided from operations in
1996. The primary contributors to the positive cash flow for 1997 were net
earnings of $57.0 million, a lower investment in trade accounts receivable and
reduced funding of current liabilities and income taxes. Improved accounts
receivable collection procedures provided $38.2 million of working capital. The
reduced funding of current liabilities was attributable primarily to the timing
of payments, while the increase in income taxes payable was attributable to a
$47.7 million increase in earnings from 1996. Partially offsetting these
benefits was spending on plant and facility closing costs and severance and the
payment of an arbitration award. Spending on plant and facility closing costs
and severance relating to exit costs associated with the Keebler and Sunshine
acquisitions, although down from 1996, accounted for $13.7 million of cash used
by operations for the year ended January 3, 1998. Spending on plant and facility
closing costs and severance associated with these acquisitions is expected to
conclude by the end of 1998, with the exception of noncancellable lease
obligations which are expected to continue until 2004. In addition, Keebler paid
an arbitration award in 1997 regarding a contract production arrangement which
was entered into by the Predecessor Company in the amount of $6.8 million plus
legal fees.
 
     Cash used by investing activities was $41.5 million in 1997 compared to
$64.9 million in 1996. The cash used in 1997 was primarily used to fund capital
expenditures. Capital expenditures were $48.4 million and $32.6 million in 1997
and 1996, respectively. In 1997, capital spending was made principally to
enhance, update or realign the existing production lines, provide distribution
and production efficiencies and to achieve near-term cost savings. Proceeds
received from asset disposals of $7.0 million partially offset capital
expenditures. The sale of the Santa Fe Springs plant in 1997 accounted for $3.6
million of the proceeds with the remainder provided mainly from the sale of
trucks and machinery and equipment. Keebler believes that the capital
expenditure program will continue at a level sufficient to support its
strategies and operating needs.
 
     Cash used by financing activities in 1997 was $161.6 million. In 1997,
Keebler entered into an amendment and restatement of its credit agreement,
proceeds from which were used to extinguish existing term loans of $153.6
million. The extinguishment was funded primarily by a draw down on a revolving
loan facility and $109.8 million under a new term loan. During 1997, the draw
down on the revolving loan facility was completely repaid. Additionally, in the
fourth quarter of 1997, Keebler extinguished $29.0 million of debt related to a
seller note and made $70.0 million in principal prepayments on the term loan
using existing cash resources. Scheduled principal payments of $18.7 million
were made during the year on the term loan and other debt.
 
Liquidity
 
     Keebler's liquidity prior to the President acquisition in 1998 and during
1997 was provided primarily from a senior credit facility (the "Prior Credit
Facility"). Subsequent to the President acquisition, Keebler's liquidity has
been provided primarily from the $825.0 million of New Credit Facilities. The
New Credit Facilities consist of a $350.0 million revolving facility, a $350.0
million term facility and an additional $125.0 million short-term loan, which
Keebler anticipates will be refinanced with a receivables facility. Any unused
borrowings under the revolving facility are subject to a commitment fee.
Keebler's total debt was $457.9 million, $298.8 million and $654.7 million as of
December 28, 1996, January 3, 1998 and October 10, 1998, respectively. Current
maturities on the total debt outstanding were $18.6 million, $26.4 million and
$103.3 million as of such respective dates. Cash and cash equivalents were $12.0
million,
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   31
 
$27.2 million and $17.7 million as of such respective dates. Upon consummation
of the President acquisition, Keebler borrowed $530.0 million under the New
Credit Facilities and used the proceeds to finance the acquisition and repay
$145.0 million of term notes outstanding under the Prior Credit Facility. On
November 10, 1997, Keebler made a $40.0 million prepayment, and on December 8,
1997, Keebler made a $30.0 million prepayment, of principal on outstanding term
notes under the Prior Credit Facility. The prepayments were funded from
available cash and resulted in the recognition of an aggregate fourth quarter
1997 after-tax extraordinary charge of $1.1 million resulting from the loss on
the early extinguishment of this debt. On November 21, 1997, Keebler purchased a
seller note for $31.7 million and cancelled it. The purchase and cancellation of
the seller note resulted in the recognition of a fourth quarter 1997 after-tax
extraordinary charge of $1.6 million resulting from the loss on the early
extinguishment of this debt. Keebler believes that available cash as well as
existing credit facilities will be sufficient to meet normal operating
requirements for the foreseeable future.
 
New Accounting Pronouncements
 
     In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments
and Hedging Activities" which is effective for all fiscal quarters of fiscal
years beginning after June 15, 1999. The new statement establishes accounting
and reporting standards for derivative instruments and hedging activities. The
statement requires that all derivatives be recognized as either assets or
liabilities in the statement of financial position and that the instruments be
measured at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a
derivative depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting
designation. The Company has not yet determined the impact the new statement may
have on the consolidated financial statements.
 
Year 2000 Issue
 
     The Year 2000 Issue arose because many existing computer programs use only
the last two digits to refer to a year. As a result, computer programs may not
properly recognize a year that begins with "20" instead of the familiar "19." If
not corrected, many businesses are at risk for possible computer application
miscalculations or systems failures causing disruptions in business operations.
This risk is commonly referred to as the Year 2000 ("Y2K") Issue.
 
     Keebler utilizes software and related technologies that will be affected by
the date change in the year 2000. Keebler has completed a comprehensive review
of the computer systems and non-information technology systems to identify
potential Y2K issues. As Keebler has implemented the SAP R/3 management
information system and Manugistics software, both of which were
developed/purchased as Y2K compliant, the impact of the Y2K Issue on the
business is not anticipated to be material. Additionally, secondary information
systems, which are not material to Keebler's ability to forecast, manufacture or
deliver product, have been reviewed and Y2K issues identified. Keebler is
currently in the process of correcting or upgrading these systems. Keebler
intends to be Y2K compliant on all critical systems by the end of the first
quarter of 1999.
 
     Keebler is also undertaking efforts to verify, by no later than December
31, 1998, that all material vendors and suppliers will be Y2K compliant. A
comprehensive questionnaire was sent to all of Keebler's significant suppliers
and vendors regarding their Y2K compliance in an attempt to identify any problem
areas with respect to these groups. As no specific issues related to third
parties have been identified to warrant a contingency plan, Keebler has not yet
developed a plan to deal with a Y2K failure caused by a third party, but rather
would intend to do so if a specific problem is identified through the
questionnaires. While there can be no absolute assurance that third parties will
convert their systems in a timely manner and in a way compatible with Keebler's
systems, Keebler believes that its actions with third parties detailed above
minimize these risks.
 
     It is currently estimated that the incremental costs for making Keebler
compliant for the Y2K Issue is approximately $2.0 - $3.0 million, expensed as
incurred. This estimate is also exclusive of Y2K issues regarding the President
acquisition. Keebler is currently conducting a comprehensive review of the
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   32
 
computer systems and non-information technology systems to identify potential
Y2K issues for this newly-acquired subsidiary. Many of the Y2K risks at
President will be mitigated through the implementation of the SAP R/3 management
information system, Manugistics software and Keebler's warehouse management
system. This implementation is expected to be completed during 1999.
 
     Based on the progress Keebler has made in addressing its Y2K issues and
Keebler's compliance with the Y2K Issue on its primary business information
systems, Keebler does not foresee significant risks associated with its Y2K
compliance at this time. As Keebler's plan is to address any significant risks
associated with its Y2K issues prior to being affected by them, a comprehensive
contingency plan has not been developed. However, if a significant risk related
to Y2K compliance or a delay in the anticipated timeline for compliance occurs,
Keebler will develop contingency plans as deemed necessary at that time.
 
     The information presented above sets forth the steps taken by Keebler to
address the Y2K Issue. Management does not expect compliance with Y2K Issues or
the most reasonably likely worst case scenario and related contingency plan to
have a material impact on the business, results of operations or financial
condition.
 
     The discussion of Keebler's efforts and management's expectations relating
to Y2K compliance are forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that
forward-looking statements contained in this discussion of the Y2K Issue should
be read in conjunction with Keebler's disclosures under the heading
"Forward-Looking Statements; Certain Defined Terms; Market Share Data."
 
SEASONALITY
 
     Keebler's net sales, net income and cash flows are affected by the timing
of new product introductions, promotional activities, price increases and a
seasonal sales bias toward the second half of the year due to events such as
back-to-school, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The relative mix between cookie and
cracker sales varies throughout the year with stronger cracker sales in the last
quarter of the calendar year. President's net sales, net income and cash flow
historically have been higher in the first quarter than in any other fiscal
quarter because substantially all sales of Girl Scout cookies have occurred in
that quarter. For this reason, going forward, Keebler expects to realize
proportionately higher net sales, net income and cash flows during the first
quarter of its fiscal year than it historically has experienced.
 
SELF INSURANCE
 
     Keebler purchases insurance coverage for worker's compensation, general,
product and vehicle liability maintaining certain levels of retained risk
(self-insured portion). Potential losses relating to claims under the
self-insured portion of the policies are accrued in accordance with the
requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 5,
"Accounting for Contingencies." There are no unasserted claims that require a
reserve or disclosure in accordance with SFAS No. 5.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   33
 
                                    BUSINESS
 
THE COMPANY
 
     Keebler is the second largest cookie and cracker manufacturer in the United
States with annual net sales of over $2.5 billion and a 25.8% share of the U.S.
cookie and cracker markets. Keebler markets a majority of its products under
well-recognized brands such as Keebler, Cheez-It, Carr's and Famous Amos. In the
United States, Keebler is the number two manufacturer of branded cookies and
crackers and the number one manufacturer of private label cookies, Girl Scout
cookies and cookies and crackers for the foodservice market. Keebler also is the
number one manufacturer of retail branded ice cream cones in the United States
and is a major producer of retail branded pie crusts. Keebler also produces
custom-baked products for other marketers of branded food products.
 
     Branded Products. Keebler's branded cookie and cracker products accounted
for 84% of its net sales in the first forty weeks of 1998, excluding President.
Keebler produces nine of the twenty-five best-selling cookies and ten of the
twenty-five best-selling crackers in the United States based on dollar sales.
Keebler's branded cookie and cracker products include, among others, the
following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    KEEBLER BRAND                   CHEEZ-IT BRAND                OTHER BRANDS
    -------------                   --------------                ------------
<S>                     <C>                                      <C>
 Chips Deluxe cookies           Cheez-It snack crackers            Famous Amos
Pecan Sandies cookies             Cheez-It party mix                 Murray
 Fudge Shoppe cookies        Nacho Cheez-It snack crackers           Carr's
 Town House crackers       Cheez-It Heads and Tails crackers     Vienna Fingers
    Club crackers                 Cheez-It snack mix                 Hydrox
 Wheatables crackers                                             Sunshine Krispy
    Zesta crackers                                                    Hi-Ho
</TABLE>
 
     DSD Distribution System. Keebler distributes its branded cookie and cracker
products to approximately 30,000 retail locations through its own national
direct to store sales and distribution system, which is known as a "DSD
distribution system". With this national DSD distribution system, Keebler
services substantially all supermarkets in the United States. Keebler is one of
only two cookie and cracker companies that owns and operates a national DSD
distribution system. Keebler believes its national DSD distribution system
provides it with certain competitive advantages. Sales employees of Keebler's
national DSD distribution system visit supermarkets on average 2.8 times each
week. These employees stock and arrange Keebler's products on store shelves and
build end-aisle and free-standing product displays. This frequent presence of
Keebler employees in supermarkets provides Keebler with a high level of control
over the availability and presentation of its products. Keebler believes that
this control allows it to maintain shelf space, better execute in-store
promotions and more effectively introduce new products. In-store promotions are
important because Keebler believes that purchases of cookies and crackers are
often impulse driven. With the President acquisition, Keebler acquired
President's franchised DSD distribution system which principally distributes
products east of the Mississippi River. The President DSD distribution system is
comprised of independent franchisees who purchase and resell certain President
products. President's DSD distribution system services both supermarkets and
certain non-supermarket channels.
 
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
 
     In 1997, the U.S. cookie and cracker industry had retail sales of $8.4
billion, with cookie sales of $4.9 billion and cracker sales of $3.5 billion.
Since 1992, consumption per person of cookies and crackers in the United States
has remained stable. The cookie and cracker industry is comprised of distinct
types of products. Cookie product types include, among others, sandwich cookies,
chocolate chip cookies and fudge-covered cookies. Cracker product types include,
among others, saltine crackers, graham crackers and snack crackers.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   34
 
     Supermarkets accounted for 78% of 1997 retail sales in the cookie and
cracker industry with mass merchandisers (such as Wal-Mart), convenience stores
and drug stores accounting for the balance. Since 1992, U.S. annual dollar
supermarket sales of cookies and crackers have increased an average of 1.5% per
year. Moreover, Keebler believes that non-supermarket channels of distribution
are becoming increasingly important.
 
     Keebler and Nabisco are the two largest national participants in the cookie
and cracker industry. Keebler and Nabisco have a combined retail market share of
59.3%, with Keebler having 25.8% and Nabisco having 33.5%. Other participants in
the industry generally operate only in certain regions of the United States or
offer fewer types of cookies and cracker products.
 
STRATEGY
 
     Since the acquisition of the Keebler business in January 1996, Keebler's
management has employed a business strategy designed to capitalize on its
competitive strengths. The acquisitions of Sunshine and President have enabled
Keebler to further develop this business strategy. The key elements of Keebler's
strategy are:
 
     Build on the Keebler Brand. Keebler is one of the few packaged food brands
that generates over $1 billion in annual sales. The Keebler brand is recognized
in approximately 99% of U.S. households and is used in approximately two-thirds
of U.S. households. This brand awareness has been developed over many years of
marketing "Elfin Magic" imagery and "Uncommonly Good" Keebler products. Keebler
intends to continue to invest in advertising and promoting the Keebler brand.
Keebler's marketing emphasizes the well known images of Ernie and the other
Keebler Elves and Keebler's Hollow Tree.
 
     Take Advantage of Keebler Brand Strength Across Product Types. There are
many types of cookie and cracker products. Keebler believes that many well known
cookie and cracker brands are only associated with one type of product, such as
chocolate chip cookies, making it difficult for these brands to be used to
market other types of cookie and cracker products. This requires other
manufacturers to invest in creating an entirely new brand identity when
developing a new product. In contrast, Keebler believes the strength of the
Keebler brand is its consumer identity across a wide variety of these product
types, which allows Keebler to cost effectively introduce new product
extensions, market new types of products and compete in lower volume types of
products. Keebler's strategy is also to focus on products in its portfolio of
cookie and cracker products that already have a strong position or on product
types which are not dominated by a competitor's strong branded product.
 
     Expand the Cheez-It Brand. Keebler's Cheez-It brand crackers are the number
one selling snack cracker in the United States. Annual retail sales of Cheez-It
brand products exceed $250 million. The Cheez-It brand has a distinctive image
with consumers. Keebler intends to maintain and build on this distinctive image
through new products, advertising and packaging. In 1998, as part of this
strategy, Keebler ran national media advertising for Cheez-It for the first time
in the brand's history. Keebler has also introduced new products, such as
Cheez-It Heads and Tails crackers and Cheez-It snack mix, adding to its
portfolio of Cheez-It products. Sales of Cheez-It products for the first forty
weeks of 1998 increased by 23.7% compared to the same period in 1997.
 
     Expand Non-Supermarket Sales. In 1997, 22% of retail cookie and cracker
sales were through mass merchandisers, convenience stores and drug stores.
Keebler believes that its total share of sales to these and other
non-supermarket channels, including club stores and vending distributors, is
significantly lower than its share of sales to supermarkets. Following the
Keebler acquisition in January 1996, Keebler's management began focusing
resources on non-supermarket channels. Keebler develops products, packaging and
distribution tailored to non-supermarket channels. As a result of these efforts,
Keebler's non-supermarket sales have grown significantly. For example, Keebler's
retail sales through mass merchandisers (excluding President's sales) increased
34% in the first forty weeks of 1998 compared to the first forty weeks of 1997.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   35
 
     Increase the Efficiency of its Operations. Keebler intends to continue to
increase the efficiency of its operations and reduce costs. In 1998, Keebler's
management lowered annual costs by approximately $35.0 million principally by
further automating certain bakery and distribution operations and by improving
inventory management. Keebler also has installed an SAP R/3 management
information system resulting in more efficient operations because of the
availability of detailed financial and operational information. Keebler plans to
install this SAP R/3 system in its President facilities in 1999.
 
     Capitalize on the President Acquisition. The President acquisition provides
Keebler with a number of opportunities and benefits that should help Keebler
achieve certain strategic goals. These include the following:
 
     - President's product mix complements Keebler's by adding strong brands
       such as Famous Amos cookies, which has annual retail sales in excess of
       $60 million, and Murray sugar free cookies, which has annual retail sales
       in excess of $35 million. These brands strengthen and diversify the
       Keebler portfolio of branded products.
 
     - Keebler believes that the integration of President into its operations
       should allow Keebler to operate more efficiently in areas such as
       manufacturing, raw material and packaging purchasing and product
       distribution.
 
     - The President acquisition also diversifies Keebler's cookie and cracker
       business by making Keebler the leading manufacturer of Girl Scout
       cookies, a position that President has held for over ten years.
 
     - The President acquisition provides Keebler with an increased market share
       in non-supermarket channels. For example, Famous Amos is the number one
       selling cookie in vending machines and has a strong presence in club and
       convenience stores. Sales of Famous Amos products in non-supermarket
       channels are approximately $40 million annually.
 
     Pursue Acquisitions. Keebler intends to pursue additional acquisitions,
such as the President acquisition, that complement or provide further
opportunities to use its existing brands, manufacturing capabilities or
distribution systems.
 
KEEBLER HISTORY
 
     Keebler was founded in 1853. In 1974, Keebler was acquired by United
Biscuits plc ("United Biscuits"). In the early 1980s, Keebler introduced salty
snack products and then expanded its distribution system to accommodate them.
After experiencing initial growth, sales of Keebler's salty snack products began
to decline. In response, Keebler embarked on a strategy aimed at increasing the
sales volume of its other products (i.e. cookies and crackers), in part to
increase utilization of its national DSD distribution system. As a result of
competitive responses to Keebler's actions, Keebler did not increase its share
of the cookie and cracker market. At the time of the Keebler acquisition in
January 1996, Keebler disposed of its Salty Snacks business.
 
     In June 1996, Keebler acquired Sunshine. By the end of 1996, Keebler
completed its planned integration of Sunshine's operations into those of
Keebler. The combination of Sunshine and Keebler allowed Keebler to achieve
efficiencies in administration, purchasing, production, marketing, sales and
distribution. In particular, Keebler incorporated the sales and distribution of
Sunshine retail branded products into Keebler's national DSD distribution system
which had excess capacity. Filling this excess capacity with Sunshine products
made Keebler's national DSD distribution system more efficient and allowed
Keebler to focus its sales and marketing efforts on its more profitable retail
branded products. In January 1996, Artal, Flowers and certain of Keebler's
current management acquired the Keebler business.
 
     In September 1998, Keebler acquired President. President manufactures and
markets cookies, brownies and snack cakes. President's brands include Famous
Amos and Murray. President is also the leading manufacturer of both Girl Scout
and sugar free cookies in the United States. In 1997, President had net sales of
$441.1 million and a 3.4% share of the U.S. cookie and cracker market.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   36
 
PRODUCTS AND MARKETS
 
     Keebler is the second largest cookie and cracker manufacturer in the United
States. Keebler's principal product categories include branded and private label
cookie and cracker products (which are sold in a variety of different flavors,
shapes, fat contents, sizes, weights and packages), pie crusts and ice cream
cones for retail and foodservice markets and custom-baked products for other
marketers of branded food products. Keebler produces and markets nine of the
twenty-five best-selling cookies and ten of the twenty-five best-selling
crackers in the United States based on dollar sales and has a 25.3% share of the
U.S. cookie market and a 26.5% share of the U.S. cracker market. As a result of
the President acquisition, Keebler is the leading manufacturer of cookies for
the Girl Scouts of America.
 
  Branded Cookies
 
     The following table sets forth information with respect to certain of
Keebler's leading branded cookie products:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        PRODUCT                   TYPE               SALES POSITION
        -------                   ----               --------------
                                                 (BASED ON DOLLAR SALES)
<S>                      <C>                     <C>
Keebler Chips Deluxe     Chocolate Chip                    #2
Keebler Fudge Shoppe     Fudge-covered                     #1
Keebler Sandies          Shortbread                        #1
Keebler Vanilla Wafers   Vanilla Wafers                    #2
Hydrox                   Chocolate Sandwich                #2
</TABLE>
 
  Branded Crackers
 
     The following table sets forth information with respect to certain of
Keebler's leading branded cracker products:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       PRODUCT            TYPE         SALES POSITION
       -------            ----         --------------
                                   (BASED ON DOLLAR SALES)
<S>                     <C>        <C>
Cheez-It                Snack                #1
Keebler Town House      Everyday             #2
Keebler Graham Selects  Graham               #2
Keebler Zesta           Saltine              #2
Carr's                  Specialty            #1
</TABLE>
 
     Keebler imports and distributes Carr's crackers in the United States under
an exclusive long-term licensing and distribution agreement with United
Biscuits. Carr's crackers are manufactured in the United Kingdom by McVities, a
subsidiary of United Biscuits. Carr's crackers are the best-selling specialty
crackers in the United States. Pursuant to the licensing and distribution
agreement, Keebler has the right to produce new cookie and cracker products
under the Carr's label, which can be marketed throughout the United States.
 
  President's Branded Products
 
     President's branded products include Famous Amos cookies, Murray cookies
(including sugar free cookies) and Plantation brownies. Keebler's research
indicates that Famous Amos is an upscale adult brand. Famous Amos cookies have
annual retail sales in excess of $60 million, are the number one selling cookie
in vending machines and have a strong presence in club and convenience stores.
These non-supermarket channels contribute approximately $40 million in annual
sales of Famous Amos products. Murray sugar free cookies have annual retail
sales in excess of $35 million and are the number one selling sugar free cookies
in the United States. Plantation brownies are the number one selling brownie in
vending machines. President also manufactures Olde New England brownies and
Jackson's, Greg's and Bishop cookies for certain regional markets.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   37
 
Pie Crusts
 
     Preformed pie crusts, sold under the Keebler Ready Crust brand name,
accounted for approximately 73% of the U.S. retail shelf stable preformed pie
crust market (measured in dollars). Keebler's dedicated Keebler Ready Crust
sales team, assisted by a national system of independent brokers, markets
Keebler Ready Crust products, which are shipped directly to customers'
warehouses.
 
Ice Cream Cones
 
     Keebler branded ice cream cones are the leading retail branded ice cream
cones in the United States with a 33.7% market share. Keebler also markets its
ice cream cones through foodservice channels and produces cones for various
restaurants and ice cream retailers, such as McDonald's and TCBY.
 
Products for the Foodservice Market
 
     Keebler is the leading supplier of cookies and crackers purchased by the
foodservice market in the United States. Keebler's foodservice products are sold
by a national sales force dedicated exclusively to the foodservice market, with
the assistance of independent brokers. In the foodservice market, Keebler
generally sells to large distributors who sell these products to restaurants and
institutions.
 
Private Label Products
 
     Keebler manufactures private label products to be sold by retailers under
their own brands. Keebler expanded into the private label cookie and cracker
market in 1993 with its purchase of Bake-Line Products, Inc. ("Bake-Line"), a
producer of private label cookie products. While Bake-Line had historically
concentrated on cookie products, Keebler expanded into the private label cracker
market in 1994. Keebler is the leading manufacturer of private label cookie
products in the United States. Keebler has a 38.6% share of the private label
cookie market. Keebler has a 14.1% share of the private label cracker market.
Keebler serves leading supermarkets in the United States with a variety of
private label products ranging from value-oriented standard products to premium
items that compete with branded alternatives. Keebler's plant in Des Plaines,
Illinois is dedicated to producing private label cookies, and is capable of
producing a wide variety of products with numerous packaging options to meet the
wide-ranging demands of Keebler's private label customers. Keebler's private
label cookies and crackers are shipped via common carrier directly to customer
warehouses and are not distributed through Keebler's national DSD distribution
system.
 
Girl Scouts of America Relationship
 
     President has been the leading manufacturer of cookies for the Girl Scouts
of America since the mid-1980s. President is currently the exclusive supplier to
more than one-half of the approximately 320 Girl Scout Councils in the United
States and is one of only three cookie manufacturers licensed by the Girl Scouts
of America to manufacture Girl Scout cookies. President has dedicated marketing
personnel which assist the various Girl Scout Councils with sales, marketing and
public relations programs. President employs a team of nine salespersons, as
well as independent brokers, which market to U.S. Girl Scout Councils.
 
Custom-Baked Products for Other Marketers of Branded Food Products
 
     Keebler manufactures a variety of custom-baked products for other marketers
of branded food products. In particular, Keebler has manufactured Pop Tarts for
Kellogg since the product's introduction in 1963. Keebler also has manufactured
a variety of other Kellogg branded products, including Cracklin' Oat Bran and
Nutri-Grain bars. Custom-baked products produced for other marketers of branded
food products include crackers for Oscar Mayer Lunchables and Starkist Charlie
Tuna snack kits, Kraft Handi-Snacks, Gerber Biter biscuits and McDonaldland
cookies. These custom-baked products are packaged under the customers' labels
and shipped from Keebler plants to the customers' regional warehouses or
distribution centers via common carrier.
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   38
 
New Products and Other Innovations
 
     Since the Keebler acquisition, Keebler has focused on new product
introductions and line extensions within its core product types such as Keebler
Snackin' Grahams, Keebler Peanut Butter Fudge Sticks, Cheez-It Heads and Tails,
Cheez-It snack mix, Cheez-It Hot & Spicy and Lemon Creme Vienna Fingers. In
addition, Keebler has introduced innovative product types such as Keebler Cookie
Stix. Keebler has also developed new sizes of its leading products to enable it
to expand in non-supermarket channels and has introduced innovative packaging
such as holographic holiday packaging and resealable stand-up packages for its
Cheez-It snack mix.
 
CUSTOMERS
 
     Keebler's top 10 customers in the first forty weeks of 1998 accounted for
29.1% of Keebler's net sales. No single customer accounted for more than 5% of
net sales.
 
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM
 
     Keebler has installed the SAP R/3 management information system allowing
the rapid communication of extensive information among its corporate office,
manufacturing facilities, distribution facilities and sales force. This software
system enables Keebler to (i) improve the efficiency of its manufacturing and
distribution facilities, (ii) service the diverse needs of its decentralized
sales force, (iii) plan production runs and control inventory and (iv) provide
consistent, timely and current information to management. Keebler plans to
install this SAP R/3 system in the President facilities in 1999.
 
MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION
 
     Keebler recognizes that the mass distribution of its consumer food products
is an important element in maintaining sales growth and providing service to its
customers. Keebler attempts to meet the changing demands of its customers by
planning appropriate stock levels and reasonable delivery times consistent with
achieving optimal economics of distribution. In order to achieve these
objectives, Keebler has developed a network of manufacturing plants, shipping
centers and distribution warehouses strategically located throughout the
continental United States to provide high national in-store presence. Keebler
uses a combination of Keebler-owned, public and contract carriers to deliver its
products from its distribution points to its customers.
 
     Following the President acquisition, Keebler owns and operates nineteen
manufacturing facilities in the United States. Keebler also owns and operates a
dairy in Fremont, Ohio that produces cheese under a proprietary formula which is
used as an ingredient in Cheez-It crackers.
 
     Keebler's national DSD distribution system uses distribution facilities,
including shipping centers and warehouses, located throughout the United States.
With the President acquisition, Keebler acquired President's franchised DSD
distribution system which distributes products east of the Mississippi River.
The President DSD distribution system is comprised of independent franchisees
who purchase and resell product. President's DSD distribution system services
both supermarkets and certain non-supermarket channels.
 
     Keebler and Nabisco are the only cookie and cracker producers that have
national wholly owned DSD distribution systems, although Pepperidge Farms
operates a national DSD distribution system through independent distributors.
 
     Keebler uses its national DSD distribution system exclusively to serve
supermarkets and mass merchandisers. Convenience stores and vending distributors
are served using a network of independent distributors. In the case of club
stores and foodservice distributions, Keebler uses a dedicated sales force and
ships its products directly to the customers' warehouses.
 
     Keebler uses a warehouse sales and distribution system to sell and
distribute Keebler Ready Crust pie crusts and private label cookies and crackers
to its customers, including retail outlets otherwise served by
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   39
 
Keebler's national DSD distribution system. Carr's crackers are sold through a
network of independent specialty distributors.
 
RAW MATERIALS
 
     The principal raw materials that Keebler uses in its food products consist
of flour, sugar, chocolate, shortening and milk. Keebler also uses paper
products, such as corrugated cardboard, as well as films and plastics to package
its products. Keebler uses hedging techniques to minimize the impact of price
fluctuations and not for speculative or trading purposes. However, such
strategies may not result in a reduction in the Company's raw material costs or
protect the Company from sharp increases in certain raw material costs, which
the Company has experienced in the past. See "Risk Factors -- Increases in
Prices of Main Ingredients and Other Materials" for a further discussion of the
impact of Keebler's use of raw materials.
 
SEASONALITY
 
     Keebler's net sales, net income and cash flows are affected by the timing
of new product introductions, promotional activities, price increases and a
seasonal sales bias toward the second half of the year due to events such as
back-to-school, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The relative mix between cookie and
cracker sales varies throughout the year with stronger cracker sales in the last
quarter of the calendar year. President's net sales, net income and cash flow
historically have been higher in the first quarter than in any other fiscal
quarter of the calendar year because substantially all sales of Girl Scout
cookies have occurred in that quarter. For this reason, going forward, Keebler
expects to realize proportionately higher net sales, net income and cash flows
during the first quarter of its fiscal year than it historically has
experienced.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
     Following the President acquisition, Keebler employs approximately 12,300
persons, of which approximately 5,900 are represented by unions. Keebler
believes its relations with its employees to be satisfactory.
 
COMPETITION
 
     The U.S. branded cookie and cracker industry is led by Keebler and Nabisco,
which together account for 59.3% of sales volume. Smaller competitors include
numerous national, regional and local manufacturers of both branded and private
label products. Competition in Keebler's markets takes many forms including the
following:
 
     - establishing favorable brand recognition;
     - developing products sought by consumers;
     - implementing appropriate pricing;
     - providing strong marketing support; and
     - obtaining access to retail outlets and sufficient shelf space.
 
     Nabisco is the largest manufacturer in the U.S. cookie and cracker
industry. Keebler has a 25.8% share of the retail cookie and cracker market,
while Nabisco has a 33.5% share. The remaining industry participants primarily
target certain portions of the industry or focus on certain geographical regions
of the United States.
 
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
 
     Keebler owns a number of patents, licenses, trademarks and trade names in
the United States. Keebler's principal trademarks and trade names include
Keebler, Ernie the Keebler Elf, the Hollow Tree logo, Cheez-It, Chips Deluxe,
Club, Famous Amos, Fudge Shoppe, Hi-Ho, Hydrox, Munch'ems, Murray, Olde New
England, Plantation, Ready Crust, Sandies, Soft Batch, Sunshine, Sunshine
Krispy, Toasteds,
 
                                       33
<PAGE>   40
 
Town House, Vienna Fingers, Wheatables, and Zesta. Keebler is the exclusive
licensee of the Carr's brand name in the United States. Such trademarks and
trade names are considered to be of material importance to the business of
Keebler since they have the effect of developing brand identification and
maintaining consumer loyalty. Management is not aware of any fact that would
negatively impact the continuing use of any of its patents, licenses, trademarks
or trade names.
 
REGULATION
 
     As a manufacturer and marketer of food items, Keebler's operations are
subject to regulation by various federal government agencies, including the Food
and Drug Administration, the Department of Agriculture, the Federal Trade
Commission (the "FTC"), the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department
of Commerce, as well as various state agencies, with respect to production
processes, product quality, packaging, labeling, storage and distribution. Under
various statutes and regulations, such agencies prescribe requirements and
establish standards for quality, purity and labeling. The finding of a failure
to comply with one or more regulatory requirements can result in a variety of
sanctions, including monetary fines or compulsory withdrawal of products from
store shelves. In addition, advertising of Keebler's businesses is subject to
regulation by the FTC, and Keebler is subject to certain health and safety
regulations, including those issued under the Occupational Safety and Health
Act. Keebler's operations and properties are subject to federal, state and local
laws and regulations relating to the storage, handling, emission and discharge
of materials and wastes into the environment. The primary environmental laws
affecting Keebler's operations are the Federal Clean Air Act and Clean Water
Act. Keebler may be required to spend significant sums in order to maintain
compliance with environmental laws. Keebler does not believe that compliance
with, or liability under, any environmental laws individually or in the
aggregate will have a material adverse effect on its results of operations or
financial condition. See "Risk Factors -- Impact of Governmental Regulation on
Keebler's Operations" for a further discussion of regulations which Keebler is
subject to in its operations.
 
LITIGATION
 
     Keebler is involved in routine litigation. Keebler believes none of the
pending or threatened litigation would result in an outcome that would have a
material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial condition.
 
                                       34
<PAGE>   41
 
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
     The following is information concerning certain executive officers of
Keebler:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               NAME                     AGE                           POSITION
               ----                     ---                           --------
<S>                                     <C>   <C>
Robert P. Crozer..................      51    Chairman of the Board and Director
Sam K. Reed.......................      51    Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
                                              Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President --
E. Nichol McCully.................      44    Finance
David B. Vermylen.................      48    President -- Keebler Brands
Jack M. Lotker....................      54    President -- Specialty Products
James T. Willard..................      57    Senior Vice President -- Operations
Thomas E. O'Neill.................      43    Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel
James T. Spear....................      43    Vice President -- Finance and Corporate Controller
Harry J. Walsh....................      43    Vice President -- Corporate Planning and Development
</TABLE>
 
     Robert P. Crozer. Mr. Crozer was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors
of Keebler in February 1998. Mr. Crozer has been a Director of Keebler since
March 1996. Mr. Crozer has served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of
Flowers since 1989. He joined Flowers in 1973 and has been a director of Flowers
since 1989. Mr. Crozer served as Vice President-Marketing of Flowers from 1985
to 1989, Corporate Director of Marketing Planning of Flowers from 1979 to 1985,
as well as President and Chief Operating Officer, Convenience Products Group of
Flowers from 1979 to 1989. Mr. Crozer received both a B.A. and an M.B.A. from
the University of Virginia.
 
     Sam K. Reed. Mr. Reed has been the Chief Executive Officer, President and a
Director of Keebler since the Keebler acquisition in January 1996. Mr. Reed has
twenty-five years of experience in the snack and baking industries. From January
1994 to January 1995 he served as Chief Executive Officer of Specialty Foods
Corporation's $450 million Western Bakery Group division. Prior to that, he was
President and Chief Executive Officer of Mother's Cake and Cookie Co. from 1991
to 1994, and held Executive Vice President positions at Wyndham Bakery Products
from 1988 to 1990 and Murray Bakery Products from 1985 to 1988. Mr. Reed managed
a natural foods company from 1984 to 1985, which later became The Quaker Oats
Company's rice cake division. He started his career in 1974 with Oroweat Foods
Company where he spent ten years in finance, manufacturing and general
management. Mr. Reed received a B.A. from Rice University and an M.B.A. from
Stanford University.
 
     E. Nichol McCully. Mr. McCully has been the Chief Financial Officer and
Senior Vice President-Finance of Keebler since the Keebler acquisition in
January 1996. Mr. McCully has over eleven years of experience as a senior
financial executive in the food industry, most recently as group Chief Financial
Officer for the Western Bakery Group division of Specialty Foods Corporation
from 1993 to 1995. Mr. McCully was Vice President-Finance for Mother's Cake and
Cookie Co. from 1991 until its acquisition by Specialty Foods Corporation in
1993. From 1990 to 1991, he was Vice President-Finance, and from 1988 to 1990,
he was Controller for Spreckels Sugar Co. Prior to entering the food industry,
Mr. McCully held financial management positions with Triad Systems Corporation
and Wells Fargo Leasing Corporation, and he has auditing experience with Arthur
Andersen & Co. Mr. McCully received a B.A. from the University of California at
Berkeley and an M.B.A. from the University of California at Los Angeles. Mr.
McCully is also a Certified Public Accountant.
 
     David B. Vermylen. Mr. Vermylen has been the President-Keebler Brands since
the Keebler acquisition in January 1996. Mr. Vermylen manages Keebler's branded
biscuits, pie crust and imported products sector. He has twenty-four years of
experience in marketing consumer packaged goods including cookies, cereals,
beverages and convenience foods. In 1995, he served as Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer of Brothers Gourmet Coffee, a publicly traded specialty
beverage manufacturer and retailer. He served as President and Chief Operating
Officer from 1994 to 1995 and Vice President-Marketing from 1991 to 1993 at
Mother's Cake and Cookie Co. Mr. Vermylen spent fourteen years in product
management at General Foods from 1974 to 1988 managing a variety of businesses,
including serving as Vice President of Marketing for Post Cereals. Mr. Vermylen
was also a founding partner of a
 
                                       35
<PAGE>   42
 
consulting firm specializing in food marketing and grocery distribution. He
holds a B.A. in economics from Georgetown University and an M.B.A. from New York
University.
 
     Jack M. Lotker. Mr. Lotker has been President-Specialty Products of Keebler
since the Keebler acquisition in January 1996. Mr. Lotker has worked in the food
industry for twenty-four years, most recently at Homeland Stores of Oklahoma
from 1988 to 1995. His experience in the baking industry and with DSD
distribution systems includes two years at CPC International as Vice President
and General Manager of Dry Products from 1986 to 1988 and eight years at Arnold
Food Company as Vice President and Group Executive from 1978 to 1986. Mr. Lotker
headed the American Bakers Association Industrial Relations Committee from 1983
to 1986 and has an extensive knowledge of the interaction among food retailing,
wholesale bakery distribution and unionized bakery operations. Mr. Lotker
received his B.A. from Queens College and his M.B.A. from Long Island
University.
 
     James T. Willard. Mr. Willard has been Senior Vice President-Operations of
Keebler since July 1996. With thirty-four years of experience in the food
industry, Mr. Willard most recently was Senior Vice President at Nabisco Biscuit
Co. from 1993 to 1996, and Senior Vice President-Operations and Technical
Services at Nabisco Specialty Products Division from 1991 to 1993. From 1988 to
1991, Mr. Willard was Senior Vice President-Operations at ALPO Pet Foods, Inc.,
and Mr. Willard was Senior Vice President-North American Operations at Cadbury
Schweppes, Inc. from 1986 to 1988. Prior to those assignments, Mr. Willard held
various positions at Nestle Foods Corporation from 1964 to 1986. These positions
were Vice President-U.S. Chocolate Manufacturing (1983 to 1986), General
Manager-Chocolate Manufacturing (1983 to 1986), General Manager-Fruits, Tomatoes
& Meats (1978 to 1980), Division Manager-Manufacturing (1971 to 1975), Assistant
Manager-Quality Control (1970 to 1972), and Microbiologist and Chemist-Regional
Laboratory (1964 to 1970). Mr. Willard received a B.S. from Capital University
and an M.S. from Ohio State University.
 
     Thomas E. O'Neill. Mr. O'Neill has been Vice President, Secretary and
General Counsel of Keebler since December 1996. Mr. O'Neill has spent more than
thirteen years in the food industry, most recently serving as Vice President and
Division Counsel for the Worldwide Beverage Division of The Quaker Oats Company
from December 1994 to December 1996. In that position, Mr. O'Neill was
responsible for all legal matters in both domestic and international markets
concerning the $2 billion division. Mr. O'Neill was Vice President and Division
Counsel of the Gatorade Worldwide Division of The Quaker Oats Company from 1991
through 1994. Prior to joining Quaker Oats in 1985, Mr. O'Neill spent three
years with Winston & Strawn, a law firm based in Chicago. Mr. O'Neill received
both a B.A. and a J.D. from the University of Notre Dame. He also completed
additional work in the executive management program at Harvard University's
Graduate School of Business.
 
     James T. Spear. Mr. Spear has been Vice President Finance and Corporate
Controller of Keebler since July 1995. He originally joined Keebler in February
1992 as Corporate Controller. Before starting with Keebler, Mr. Spear was Chief
Financial Officer of Kirkland & Ellis from 1989 to 1991. From 1979 to 1989, he
was with Price Waterhouse as both an auditor and consultant, mainly with clients
in the food industry. Mr. Spear received a B.A. from Miami University and an
M.B.A. from Indiana University Graduate School of Business. Mr. Spear is also a
Certified Public Accountant.
 
     Harry J. Walsh. Mr. Walsh has been Vice President-Corporate Planning and
Development of Keebler since January 1997, and was the Chief Operating Officer
of Sunshine from June 1996 to January 1997. Mr. Walsh also has seventeen years
of experience with baking and snack food companies with DSD systems, most
recently as Vice President for G.F. Industries, Inc. from 1995 to 1996. From
1994 to 1995, he was President and Chief Operating Officer, and from 1993 to
1994, Chief Financial Officer for Granny Goose Foods, Inc. Mr. Walsh served as
Vice President-Operations for Bell Carter Distributing Company from 1992 to 1993
and as Chief Financial Officer for San Francisco French Bread Co. from 1985 to
1991. From 1983 to 1985, he was Vice President-Finance and from 1981 to 1983,
Controller, for Salerno Megowen Biscuit Company. Prior to entering the food
industry, Mr. Walsh was an auditor with Arthur Andersen & Co. Mr. Walsh received
a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame. Mr. Walsh is also a Certified Public
Accountant.
 
                                       36
<PAGE>   43
 
                       PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
 
     The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of common stock as of December 8, 1998, and as adjusted to reflect the
sale of the common stock offered hereby, by (i) all persons known by Keebler to
own beneficially 5% or more of the common stock, (ii) each Director of Keebler,
(iii) the Chief Executive Officer and certain other executive officers, (iv)
each Selling Stockholder and (v) all Directors and executive officers as a
group. Unless otherwise indicated, each of the stockholders has sole voting and
investment power with respect to the shares of common stock beneficially owned
by such stockholders.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            SHARES BENEFICIALLY                       SHARES BENEFICIALLY
                                             OWNED PRIOR TO THE       NUMBER OF         OWNED AFTER THE
                                                OFFERING (1)            SHARES            OFFERING (1)
                                            --------------------        BEING         --------------------
  NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNERS       NUMBER     PERCENT       OFFERED          NUMBER     PERCENT
  -------------------------------------     ----------   -------      ----------      ----------   -------
<S>                                         <C>          <C>          <C>             <C>          <C>
Flowers Industries, Inc.(2)...............  46,197,466    54.9                --      46,197,466      54.9
  1919 Flowers Circle
  Thomasville, Georgia 31757
Artal Luxembourg S.A.(3)..................  17,228,729    20.5        15,654,500(3)    1,574,229(3)    1.9
  39 Boulevard Royal
  Luxembourg City, Luxembourg 2449
Claremont Enterprises, Limited(4).........   4,772,770     5.7           545,500(4)    4,227,270(4)    5.0
  West Bay Street
  P.O. Box N7788
  Nassau, Bahamas
Sam K. Reed(5)............................   1,572,855     1.8                --       1,572,855       1.8
David B. Vermylen(6)......................     333,559       *                --         333,559         *
E. Nichol McCully(7)......................     282,079       *                --         282,079         *
Jack M. Lotker(8).........................     283,559       *                --         283,559         *
James T. Willard(8).......................     283,559       *                --         283,559         *
Robert P. Crozer(9).......................      10,000       *                --          10,000         *
Franklin L. Burke(10)(11).................       9,500       *                --           9,500         *
Wayne H. Pace(10).........................       8,500       *                --           8,500         *
Johnston C. Adams, Jr.(10)................       8,900       *                --           8,900         *
Jimmy M. Woodward(12).....................       2,000       *                --           2,000         *
G. Anthony Campbell(9)....................       2,004       *                --           2,004         *
Amos R. McMullian(9)......................       2,000       *                --           2,000         *
C. Martin Wood III(9).....................       2,000       *                --           2,000         *
Raymond Debbane(13).......................          --      --                --              --        --
Sacha Lainovic(13)........................          --      --                --              --        --
All Directors and executive officers as a
  group (consisting of 19 persons)........   3,198,103     3.7                --       3,198,103       3.7
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
  *  Less than 1%
 
 (1) Shares beneficially owned and percentage of ownership are based on
     84,108,164 shares of common stock outstanding before the offering and
     exercisable stock options.
 
 (2) Flowers is currently subject to the periodic reporting and other
     information requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.
     Flowers' common stock is listed on the NYSE.
 
 (3) Excludes a maximum of 1,574,229 shares to cover over-allotments of shares,
     if any. The parent entity of Artal is Artal Group. The address of Artal
     Group is the same as the address of Artal.
 
 (4) Excludes a maximum of 54,500 shares to cover over-allotments of shares, if
     any. Claremont is a privately held Bahamian limited company.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>   44
 
 (5) Shares are held by The Sam K. Reed and Victoria P. Reed January 19, 1995
     Inter Vivos Trust of which Mr. Reed and his wife are trustees. Includes
     999,605 shares subject to stock options that are currently exercisable;
     excludes 539,958 shares subject to stock options that are not exercisable
     within 60 days.
 
 (6) Includes 233,241 shares subject to stock options that are currently
     exercisable; excludes 175,940 shares subject to stock options that are not
     exercisable within 60 days.
 
 (7) Includes 213,241 shares subject to stock options that are currently
     exercisable; excludes 167,615 shares subject to stock options that are not
     exercisable within 60 days.
 
 (8) Includes 213,241 shares subject to stock options that are currently
     exercisable; excludes 150,965 shares subject to stock options that are not
     exercisable within 60 days. Mr. Lotker's shares are held by the Jack M.
     Lotker Revocable Trust of which Mr. Lotker and his wife are co-trustees and
     the beneficiaries of which are the Mr. Lotker and various members of his
     immediate family.
 
 (9) A director and executive officer of Flowers.
 
(10) Includes 7,500 shares subject to stock options that are currently
     exercisable.
 
(11) A director of Flowers.
 
(12) An executive officer of Flowers.
 
(13) An officer of The Invus Group, Ltd., the U.S. investment advisor for Artal.
 
                                       38
<PAGE>   45
 
                CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS
                      FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK
 
     The following is a general discussion of certain U.S. federal income and
estate tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of common stock by a
holder that is not a "U.S. person" (a "non-U.S. holder"). A "U.S. person" is a
person or entity that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is a citizen or
resident of the United States, a corporation, partnership or other entity
taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes created or
organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States or of any
political subdivision thereof, an estate whose income is includible in gross
income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source or a trust
subject to the supervision of a court within the United States and the control
of one or more United States persons as described in Section 7701 (a)(30) of
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). An individual will be
deemed to be a resident of the United States for U.S. federal income tax
purposes if: (1) such individual is a lawful permanent resident of the United
States at any time during the taxable year; (2) such individual makes an
election to be treated as a resident pursuant to the provisions of the Code; or
(3) such individual is present in the United States for an aggregate of 183 days
or more during the calendar year. In addition, an individual will be presumed to
be a resident of the United States for U.S. federal income tax purposes if such
individual is present in the United States on at least 31 days in the current
calendar year and for an aggregate of 183 days during the three-year period
ending with the current calendar year (counting, for such purposes all of the
days present in the United States during the current year, one-third of the days
present during the immediately preceding year and one-sixth of the days present
during the second preceding year). This presumption of residence may be rebutted
if an individual is present in the United States for fewer than 183 days during
the current year and it is established that such individual has a "tax home" in
a foreign country and a "closer connection" to such foreign country than to the
United States, with such terms being defined in the Code, provided such
individual has not taken any steps during the current year to apply for
permanent resident status and no such application is pending. Furthermore, the
determination of residence under the Code may be rebutted by application of an
applicable tax treaty or convention between the United States and an appropriate
foreign country that may also treat such individual as a tax resident of such
country. A special definition of U.S. resident applies for U.S. federal estate
tax purposes. Resident aliens are subject to U.S. federal tax as if they were
U.S. citizens.
 
     This discussion is based on the provisions of the Code and administrative
and judicial interpretations as of the date hereof, all of which may be changed
either retroactively or prospectively. This discussion does not address all the
aspects of U.S. federal income and estate taxation that may be relevant to non-
U.S. holders in light of their particular circumstances, nor does it address tax
consequences under the laws of any U.S. state, municipality or other taxing
jurisdiction or under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States.
 
     The following discussion is merely a summary of the principal U.S. federal
income and estate tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of common
stock by non-U.S. Holders. Thus, all investors are urged to consult their own
tax advisors with respect to the application and effect of the U.S. federal
income and estate tax consequences (current and prospective) of the ownership
and disposition of the common stock, as well as the application and effect of
the laws of any state, local, foreign, or other taxing jurisdiction.
 
DIVIDENDS
 
     In the event that dividends are paid to a non-U.S. holder, such dividends
will generally be subject to United States federal withholding tax at a 30% rate
or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty unless
such dividends are effectively connected with a trade or business carried on by
the non-U.S. holder within the United States or, if a tax treaty applies, are
attributable to a United States permanent establishment of the non-U.S. holder,
in which cases the dividends will be taxed as described below in the succeeding
paragraph. Under current U.S. Treasury regulations, dividends paid to an address
outside the United States are presumed to be paid to a resident of the country
of address (unless the payor has knowledge to the contrary) for purposes of the
withholding tax. For dividends paid
 
                                       39
<PAGE>   46
 
on or prior to December 31, 1999, the same presumption generally applies to
determine the applicability of a reduced rate of withholding under a U.S. tax
treaty (the "address system"). Thus, non-U.S. holders receiving dividends at
addresses outside the United States generally are not yet required to file tax
forms to obtain the benefit of an applicable treaty rate. Under U.S. Treasury
regulations that were recently finalized, the address system for claiming treaty
benefits is eliminated for payments made after December 31, 1999. Rather, to
claim the benefits of a tax treaty with respect to such dividends, a non-U.S.
holder of Common Stock must file certain forms attesting to the holder's
eligibility to claim such treaty benefits. If there is excess withholding on a
person eligible for a treaty benefit, the person can file for a refund with the
U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS").
 
     Generally, there is no withholding tax on dividends that are (i)
effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder's conduct of a trade or business
within the United States if a Form 4224 is filed with Keebler or (ii) if a tax
treaty applies, attributable to a United States permanent establishment of the
non-U.S. holder. If either exception applies, the dividends are subject to the
U.S. federal income tax on net income applicable to U.S. persons. Effectively
connected dividends received by a foreign corporation may be subject to an
additional "branch profits tax" at a 30% rate (or a lower rate under an
applicable income tax treaty) when such dividends are deemed repatriated from
the United States.
 
GAIN ON DISPOSITION OF COMMON STOCK
 
     A non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax
in respect of gain recognized on a disposition of common stock unless (i) the
gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business of the
non-U.S. holder (or of a partnership that holds the Common Stock in which the
non-U.S. holder is a member) in the United States or, if a tax treaty applies,
is attributable to a United States permanent establishment of the non-U.S.
holder, (ii) in the case of a non U.S. holder who is an individual and holds the
common stock as a capital asset (or is a member in a partnership that holds the
common stock as a capital asset), such holder is present in the United States
for 183 or more days in the taxable year of the disposition and either (x) has a
"tax home" in the United States (as specially defined for U.S. federal income
tax purposes) or (y) maintains an office or other fixed place of business in the
United States and the income from the sale of the stock is attributable to such
office or other fixed place of business, (iii) the non-U.S. holder is subject to
tax pursuant to the provision of U.S. tax law applicable to certain U.S.
expatriates or (iv) Keebler is or has been a "U.S. real property holding
corporation" for federal income tax purposes at any time within the shorter of
the five-year period preceding such disposition or such non-U.S. holder's
holding period. Keebler is not currently, has not been and does not anticipate
becoming a "U.S. real property holding corporation" for U.S. federal income tax
purposes. Even if Keebler were to become a U.S. real property holding
corporation, any gain recognized by a non-U.S. Holder, on the disposition of the
common stock, still would not be subject to U.S. tax if the shares were
considered to be "regularly traded" (as per the meaning of the applicable U.S.
Treasury regulations) on an established securities market (e.g., NYSE) and the
non-U.S. Holder did not own, actually, constructively, directly, or indirectly,
at any time during the five year period ending on the date of the disposition,
more than five percent (5%) of the Common Stock.
 
INFORMATION REPORTING AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING TAX
 
     Pursuant to U.S. Treasury regulations, Keebler must report annually to the
IRS and to each non-U.S. holder the amount of dividends paid to, and the tax
withheld with respect to, such holder, regardless of whether tax was actually
withheld. That information may also be made available to the tax authorities of
the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides.
 
     United States federal backup withholding (which generally is withholding
imposed at the rate of 31% on certain payments to persons not otherwise exempt
who fail to furnish certain identifying information to the IRS) will generally
not apply to dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder that are subject to withholding
at the 30% rate (or would be so subject but for a reduced rate under an
applicable treaty). In addition, for dividends paid on or prior to December 31,
1999, the payor of dividends may rely on the payee's foreign address in
determining that the payee is exempt from backup withholding, unless the payor
has knowledge
 
                                       40
<PAGE>   47
 
that the payee is a U.S. person. However, U.S. Treasury regulations that were
recently finalized eliminate this address system for payments made after
December 31, 1999 and require a payee to furnish certain documentation to the
payor so as to be able to claim such exemption from backup withholding.
 
     The backup withholding and information reporting requirements also apply to
the gross proceeds paid to a non-U.S. holder upon the disposition of Common
Stock by or through a U.S. office of a U.S. or foreign broker, unless the holder
certifies to the broker under penalty of perjury as to its name, address and
status as a non-U.S. holder or the holder otherwise establishes an exemption.
Information reporting requirements, (but not backup withholding) will apply to a
payment of the proceeds of a disposition of common stock by or through a foreign
office of (i) a U.S. broker, (ii) a foreign broker 50% or more of whose gross
income for certain periods is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade
or business in the United States or (iii) a foreign broker that is a "controlled
foreign corporation" for U.S. federal income tax purposes, unless the broker has
documentary evidence in its records that the holder is a non-U.S. holder and
certain other conditions are met, or the holder otherwise establishes an
exemption. Neither backup withholding nor information reporting will generally
apply to a payment of the proceeds of a disposition of common stock by or
through a foreign office of a foreign broker not subject to the preceding
sentence.
 
     Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be refunded or
credited against the non-U.S. holder's United States federal income tax
liability, provided that required information is furnished to the IRS.
 
FEDERAL ESTATE TAXES
 
     Common Stock owned or treated as being owned by an individual who is
neither a citizen nor a resident of the United States for federal estate tax
purposes at the date of death will be included in such individual's gross estate
for U.S. federal estate tax purposes and may be subject to U.S. federal estate
tax unless an applicable estate tax treaty provides otherwise. Estates of
nonresident aliens are generally allowed a statutory credit for U.S. federal
estate tax purposes. Estate tax treaties may permit a larger credit. A special
definition of U.S. resident applies for U.S. federal estate tax purposes.
 
                                       41
<PAGE>   48
 
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
     Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an Underwriting
Agreement dated           , 1999 (the "U.S. Underwriting Agreement"), the
underwriters named below (the "U.S. Underwriters"), for whom Credit Suisse First
Boston Corporation, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, UBS AG
(acting through its division Warburg Dillon Read), Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
and Lehman Brothers Inc., are acting as representatives (the "U.S.
Representatives"), and under the terms and subject to the conditions contained
in a Subscription Agreement dated           , 1999 (the "Subscription Agreement"
and, together with the U.S. Underwriting Agreement, the "Underwriting
Agreement") the managers named below (the "International Managers"), for whom
Credit Suisse First Boston (Europe) Limited, Merrill Lynch International, UBS AG
(acting through its division Warburg Dillon Read), Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
and Lehman Brothers International (Europe), are acting as representatives (the
"International Representatives"), have severally but not jointly agreed to
purchase from the Selling Stockholders the following respective numbers of
shares of common stock:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     U.S. UNDERWRITERS                        NUMBER OF SHARES
                     -----------------                        ----------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation......................
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
             Incorporated...................................
UBS AG acting through its division Warburg Dillon Read......
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette................................
Lehman Brothers Inc.........................................
                                                                 ---------
     Subtotal...............................................
                                                                 ---------
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   INTERNATIONAL MANAGERS
                   ----------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Credit Suisse First Boston (Europe) Limited.................
Merrill Lynch International.................................
UBS AG acting through its division Warburg Dillon Read......
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette................................
Lehman Brothers International (Europe)......................
                                                                 ---------
     Subtotal...............................................
                                                                 ---------
     Total..................................................
                                                                 =========
</TABLE>
 
     The U.S. Underwriting Agreement and the Subscription Agreement provide for
concurrent offerings of common stock in the United States and Canada and outside
the United States and Canada. The closing of the offering in the United States
and Canada is a condition to the closing of the offering outside the United
States and Canada.
 
     The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the U.S.
Underwriters and the International Managers are subject to certain conditions
precedent and that the U.S. Underwriters and the International Managers will be
obligated to purchase all the shares of common stock offered hereby (other than
those shares covered by the over-allotment option described below) if any are
purchased. The Underwriting Agreement provides that, in the event of a default
by a U.S. Underwriter or an International Manager, in certain circumstances the
purchase commitments of non-defaulting U.S. Underwriters or International
Managers may be increased or the Underwriting Agreement may be terminated.
 
     The Selling Stockholders have granted to the U.S. Underwriters and the
International Managers an option, exercisable by Credit Suisse First Boston
Corporation ("CSFBC") on behalf of the U.S. Underwriters and the International
Managers, expiring at the close of business on the 30th day after the date of
this prospectus, to purchase up to 1,628,729 additional shares of common stock
at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions.
Such option may be exercised only to
 
                                       42
<PAGE>   49
 
cover over-allotments, if any, in the sale of the shares of common stock offered
hereby. To the extent that this option to purchase is exercised, each U.S.
Underwriter and each International Manager will become obligated, subject to
certain conditions, to purchase approximately the same percentage of additional
shares being sold to the U.S. Underwriters and the International Managers as the
number of shares of common stock set forth next to such U.S. Underwriter's and
International Manager's name in the preceding table bears to the total number of
shares of common stock in such table.
 
     Keebler and the Selling Stockholders have been advised by the U.S.
Representatives and Credit Suisse First Boston (Europe) Limited ("CSFBL") on
behalf of the International Managers that the U.S. Underwriters and the
International Managers propose to offer the shares of common stock initially at
the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and,
through the U.S. Representatives and the International Representatives, to
certain dealers at such price less a concession of $     per share, and that the
U.S. Underwriters and the International Managers and such dealers may allow a
discount of $     per share on sales to certain other dealers. After the
offering, the public offering price and concession and discount to dealers may
be changed by the U.S. Representatives and the International Representatives.
 
     The following table summarizes the compensation to be paid to the U.S.
Underwriters and the International Managers by the Selling Stockholders, and the
expenses payable by the Selling Stockholders.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  TOTAL
                                                                     --------------------------------
                                                                        WITHOUT             WITH
                                                        PER SHARE    OVER-ALLOTMENT    OVER-ALLOTMENT
                                                        ---------    --------------    --------------
<S>                                                     <C>          <C>               <C>
Underwriting discounts and commissions paid by the
  Selling Stockholders................................   $             $                 $
Expenses payable by the Selling Stockholders..........   $             $                 $
</TABLE>
 
     The public offering price, the aggregate underwriting discounts and
commissions per share and per share concession and discount to dealers for the
U.S. offering and the concurrent international offering will be identical.
Pursuant to an agreement between the U.S. Underwriters and the International
Managers (the "Intersyndicate Agreement") relating to the offering, changes in
the public offering price, concession and discount to dealers will be made only
upon the mutual agreement of CSFBC on behalf of the U.S. Underwriters and CSFBL
on behalf of the International Managers.
 
     Pursuant to the Intersyndicate Agreement, each of the U.S. Underwriters has
agreed or will agree that, as part of its distribution of shares of common stock
in the United States and Canada and subject to certain exceptions, it has not
offered or sold, and will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any shares
of common stock or distribute any prospectus relating to the common stock to any
person outside the United States or Canada or to any other dealer who does not
so agree. Each of the International Managers has agreed or will agree that, as
part of its distribution of shares of common stock outside the United States and
Canada and subject to certain exceptions, it has not offered or sold, and will
not offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any shares of common stock or
distribute any prospectus relating to common stock in the United States or
Canada or to any other dealer who does not so agree. With respect to any U.S.
Underwriter and International Manager, the foregoing representations and
agreements (i) made by it in its capacity as a U.S. Underwriter apply only to it
in its capacity as a U.S. Underwriter and (ii) made by it as an International
Manager apply only to it in its capacity as an International Manager. The
foregoing limitations do not apply to stabilization transactions or to
transactions between the U.S. Underwriters and the International Managers
pursuant to the Intersyndicate Agreement. As used herein, "United States" means
the United States of America (including the States and the District of
Columbia), its territories, possessions and other areas subject to its
jurisdiction. "Canada" means Canada, its provinces, territories, possessions and
other areas subject to its jurisdiction, and an offer or sale shall be in the
United States or Canada if it is made to (i) any individual resident in the
United States or Canada or (ii) a corporation, partnership, pension,
profit-sharing or other trust or other entity (including any such entity acting
as an investment adviser with discretionary authority) whose office most
directly involved with the purchase is located in the United States or Canada.
 
                                       43
<PAGE>   50
 
     Pursuant to the Intersyndicate Agreement, sales may be made between the
U.S. Underwriters and the International Managers of such number of shares of
common stock as may be mutually agreed upon. The price of any shares so sold
shall be the public offering price, less such amount as may be mutually agreed
upon by CSFBC, as representative of the U.S. Underwriters, and CSFBL, as
representative of the International Managers, but not exceeding the selling
concession applicable to such shares. To the extent there are sales between the
U.S. Underwriters and the International Managers pursuant to the Intersyndicate
Agreement, the number of shares of common stock initially available for sale by
the U.S. Underwriters or by the International Managers may be more or less than
the amount appearing on the cover page of this prospectus. Neither the U.S.
Underwriters nor the International Managers are obligated to purchase from the
other any unsold shares of common stock.
 
     Each of the International Managers and the U.S. Underwriters severally
represents and agrees that: (i) it has not affected or sold prior to the date
six months after the date of issue any common stock to persons in the United
Kingdom except to persons whose ordinary activities involve them in acquiring,
holding, managing or disposing of investments (as principal or agent) for the
purposes of their businesses or otherwise in circumstances which have not
resulted or do not result in an offer to the public in the United Kingdom within
the meaning of the Public Offers of Securities Regulations 1995; (ii) it has
complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the Financial
Services Act 1986 with respect to anything done by it in relation to the common
stock in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom; and (iii) it has only
issued or passed on and will only issue or pass on in the United Kingdom any
document received by it in connection with the issue of the common stock to a
person who is of a kind described in Article II(3) of the Financial Services Act
1986 (Investment Advertisements) (Exemptions) Order 1996 or is a person to whom
such document may otherwise lawfully be issued or passed on.
 
     Keebler, its officers, directors and Flowers, Artal and Claremont have
agreed that, for a period of 60 days (with respect to the officers and
directors) and 90 days (with respect to Keebler, Flowers, Artal and Claremont)
after the date of this prospectus (in either case, the "Lock Up Period"), they
will not offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of, directly
or indirectly, or file with the SEC a registration statement under the
Securities Act relating to, any additional shares of common stock or securities
convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any shares of common stock,
or disclose the intention to make any such offer, sale, pledge, disposal or
filing, without the prior written consent of CSFBC, except (i) in the case of
Keebler, issuances pursuant to Keebler's 1996 Stock Option Plan, the 1998
Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan and the Non-Employee Director Stock Plan and (ii)
in the case of certain officers, sales or exchanges in connection with certain
arrangements between such officers, Keebler and CSFBC, as described in the
remainder of this paragraph. Eight senior executives are parties to arrangements
entered into prior to Keebler's initial public offering in 1998, pursuant to
which, subject to certain limitations, the executives may require Keebler to
repurchase their shares of common stock. The maximum aggregate amount which
Keebler can be required to purchase is the greater of (i) 1% of all shares of
common stock then outstanding or (ii) an aggregate purchase obligation of
$25,000,000. As of the date of this prospectus, Keebler has not been informed by
any executive officer of its intention to exercise the right to require Keebler
to repurchase any of such executive officer shares. In addition, pursuant to an
agreement between the eight senior executives and CSFBC, such executives will be
entitled to enter into certain tax-free share exchanges during the Lock-Up
Period.
 
     Keebler and each of the Selling Stockholders have agreed to indemnify the
U.S. Underwriters and the International Managers against certain liabilities,
including civil liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to
payments which the U.S. Underwriters and the International Managers may be
required to make in respect thereof.
 
     CSFBC, on behalf of the U.S. Underwriters and the International Managers,
may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering
transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange
Act. Over-allotment involves syndicate sales in excess of the offering size,
which creates a syndicate short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids
to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not
exceed a specified maximum. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of
common stock in the open market after the distribution has been
 
                                       44
<PAGE>   51
 
   
     Pursuant to the Intersyndicate Agreement, sales may be made between the
U.S. Underwriters and the International Managers of such number of shares of
common stock as may be mutually agreed upon. The price of any shares so sold
shall be the public offering price, less such amount as may be mutually agreed
upon by CSFBC, as representative of the U.S. Underwriters, and CSFBL, as
representative of the International Managers, but not exceeding the selling
concession applicable to such shares. To the extent there are sales between the
U.S. Underwriters and the International Managers pursuant to the Intersyndicate
Agreement, the number of shares of our common stock initially available for sale
by the U.S. Underwriters or by the International Managers may be more or less
than the amount appearing on the cover page of this prospectus. Neither the U.S.
Underwriters nor the International Managers are obligated to purchase from the
other any unsold shares of common stock.
    
 
   
     Each of the International Managers and the U.S. Underwriters severally
represents and agrees that: (1) it has not affected or sold prior to the date
six months after the date of issue any of our common stock to persons in the
United Kingdom except to persons whose ordinary activities involve them in
acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of investments (as principal or agent)
for the purposes of their businesses or otherwise in circumstances which have
not resulted or do not result in an offer to the public in the United Kingdom
within the meaning of the Public Offers of Securities Regulations 1995; (2) it
has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the Financial
Services Act 1986 with respect to anything done by it in relation to our common
stock in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom; and (3) it has only
issued or passed on and will only issue or pass on in the United Kingdom any
document received by it in connection with the issue of our common stock to a
person who is of a kind described in Article II(3) of the Financial Services Act
1986 (Investment Advertisements) (Exemptions) Order 1996 or is a person to whom
such document may otherwise lawfully be issued or passed on.
    
 
   
     Keebler and its officers and directors, and Flowers Industries, Artal
Luxembourg and Claremont Enterprises have severally agreed that, for a period of
60 days (with respect to the officers and directors) and 90 days (with respect
to Keebler, Flowers Industries, Artal Luxembourg and Claremont Enterprises)
after the date of this prospectus (in either case, the "Lock Up Period"), they
will not offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of, directly
or indirectly, or file with the SEC a registration statement under the
Securities Act of 1933 relating to, any additional shares of common stock or
securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any shares of
common stock, or disclose the intention to make any such offer, sale, pledge,
disposal or filing, without the prior written consent of CSFBC, except: (1) in
the case of Keebler, issuances pursuant to Keebler's 1996 Stock Option Plan, the
1998 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan and the Non-Employee Director Stock Plan; and
(2) in the case of certain officers, sales or exchanges in connection with
certain arrangements between such officers, Keebler and CSFBC, as described in
the following paragraph. Eight senior executives are parties to arrangements
entered into prior to Keebler's initial public offering in January 1998,
pursuant to which, subject to certain limitations, the executives may require
Keebler to purchase their shares of common stock during the applicable Lock Up
Period. The maximum aggregate amount which Keebler can be required to purchase
is the greater of: (1) 1% of all shares of common stock then outstanding; and
(2) $25,000,000. As of the date of this prospectus, Keebler has not been
informed by any executive officer of its intention to exercise this right. In
addition, pursuant to an agreement between the eight senior executives and
CSFBC, such executives will be entitled to enter into certain tax-free share
exchanges during the applicable Lock Up Period.
    
 
   
     Keebler and each of the selling stockholders have agreed to indemnify the
U.S. Underwriters and the International Managers against certain liabilities,
including civil liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to
payments which the U.S. Underwriters and the International Managers may be
required to make in respect thereof.
    
 
   
     CSFBC, on behalf of the U.S. Underwriters and the International Managers,
may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering
transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Over-allotment involves syndicate sales in
excess of the offering size, which creates a syndicate short position.
Stabilizing transactions permit bids to
    
 
                                       46
<PAGE>   52
 
   
purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a
specified maximum. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of common
stock in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to
cover syndicate short positions. Penalty bids permit the U.S. Representatives to
reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when common stock
originally sold by such syndicate member is purchased in a syndicate covering
transaction to cover syndicate short positions. Such stabilizing transactions,
syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may cause the price of our
common stock to be higher than it would otherwise be in the absence of such
transactions. These transactions may be effected on the New York Stock Exchange
or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
    
 
                          NOTICE TO CANADIAN RESIDENTS
 
RESALE RESTRICTIONS
 
   
     The distribution of our common stock in Canada is being made only on a
private placement basis exempt from the requirement that Keebler and the selling
stockholders prepare and file a prospectus with the securities regulatory
authorities in each province where trades of our common stock are effected.
Accordingly, any resale of our common stock in Canada must be made in accordance
with applicable securities laws which will vary depending on the relevant
jurisdiction, and which may require resales to be made in accordance with
available statutory exemptions or pursuant to a discretionary exemption granted
by the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authority. Purchasers are
advised to seek legal advice prior to any resale of our common stock.
    
 
REPRESENTATIONS OF PURCHASERS
 
   
     Each purchaser of our common stock in Canada who receives a purchase
confirmation will be deemed to represent to Keebler, the selling stockholders
and the dealer from whom such purchase confirmation is received that:
    
 
   
     - such purchaser is entitled under applicable provincial securities laws to
       purchase such common stock without the benefit of a prospectus qualified
       under such securities laws;
    
   
     - where required by law, that such purchaser is purchasing as principal and
       not as agent; and
    
   
     - such purchaser has reviewed the text above under "Resale Restrictions."
    
 
RIGHTS OF ACTION (ONTARIO PURCHASERS)
 
   
     The securities being offered are those of a foreign issuer and Ontario
purchasers will not receive the contractual right of action prescribed by
Ontario securities law. As a result, Ontario purchasers must rely on other
remedies that may be available, including common law rights of action for
damages or rescission or rights of action under the civil liability provisions
of the U.S. federal securities laws.
    
 
ENFORCEMENT OF LEGAL RIGHTS
 
   
     All of the issuer's directors and officers as well as the experts named
herein and the selling stockholders may be located outside of Canada and, as a
result, it may not be possible for Canadian purchasers to effect service of
process within Canada upon the issuer or such persons. All or a substantial
portion of the assets of the issuer and such persons may be located outside of
Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible to satisfy a judgment against
the issuer or such persons in Canada or to enforce a judgment obtained in
Canadian courts against such issuer or persons outside of Canada.
    
 
NOTICE TO BRITISH COLUMBIA RESIDENTS
 
   
     A purchaser of our common stock to whom the Securities Act (British
Columbia) applies is advised that such purchaser is required to file with the
British Columbia Securities Commission a report within ten days of the sale of
any our common stock acquired by such purchaser pursuant to this offering. Such
    
 
                                       47
<PAGE>   53
 
   
report must be in the form attached to British Columbia Securities Commission
Blanket Order BOR #95/17, a copy of which may be obtained from Keebler. Only one
such report must be filed in respect of our common stock acquired on the same
date and under the same prospectus exemption.
    
 
TAXATION AND ELIGIBILITY FOR INVESTMENT
 
   
     Canadian purchasers of our common stock should consult their own legal and
tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences of an investment in the common
stock in their particular circumstances and with respect to the eligibility of
the common stock in their particular circumstances and with respect to the
eligibility of the common stock for investment by the purchaser under relevant
Canadian legislation.
    
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     Certain legal matters in connection with the common stock offered hereby
are being passed upon for Keebler by Winston & Strawn, Chicago, Illinois. The
U.S. Underwriters and the International Managers have been represented by
Cravath, Swaine & Moore, New York, New York.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated financial statements of Keebler and the Predecessor
Company included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Keebler for the year ended
January 3, 1998, and the financial statements of President included as Item
7(a)1 in Keebler's Form 8-K filed on October 9, 1998 and amended on December 10,
1998, have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants,
as set forth in their reports accompanying such financial statements and are
incorporated by reference in this prospectus, in reliance upon such reports of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given upon the authority of
that firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                                       48
<PAGE>   54
 
                                 [KEEBLER LOGO]
<PAGE>   55
 
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may
not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer
to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these
securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
 
   
                  [INTERNATIONAL PROSPECTUS -- ALTERNATE PAGE]
    
 
                 SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED DECEMBER   , 1998
 
                               16,200,000 Shares
 
                             KEEBLER FOODS COMPANY
 
                                  Common Stock
 
                            ------------------------
 
   
 All of the shares of common stock offered hereby are being sold by the selling
stockholders named under "Principal and Selling Stockholders". Of the 16,200,000
 shares being offered, 3,240,000 shares are initially being offered outside the
United States and Canada by the international managers and 12,960,000 shares are
initially being concurrently offered in the United States and Canada by the U.S.
underwriters. The offering price and underwriting discounts and commissions for
both offerings are identical. We will not receive any of the proceeds from this
 offering. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol "KBL." On December 28, 1998, the last reported sale price for the common
                               stock was $37.125.
    
 
   
INVESTING IN OUR COMMON STOCK INVOLVES CERTAIN RISKS. SEE "RISK FACTORS" ON PAGE
                                       7.
    
 
    NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS
  PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
                               CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 UNDERWRITING   PROCEEDS TO
                                                       PRICE TO  DISCOUNTS AND  THE SELLING
                                                        PUBLIC    COMMISSIONS   STOCKHOLDERS
                                                       --------  -------------  ------------
<S>                                                    <C>       <C>            <C>
Per share............................................     $            $             $
Total(1).............................................  $               $             $
</TABLE>
    
 
   
(1) The selling stockholders have granted the international managers and the
    U.S. underwriters an option exercisable for 30 days from the date of this
    prospectus, to purchase a maximum of 1,628,729 additional shares to cover
    over-allotments of shares.
    
 
     Delivery of the shares of common stock will be made on or about
               , 1999, against payment in immediately available funds.
 
                  CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON (EUROPE) LIMITED
MERRILL LYNCH INTERNATIONAL                                  WARBURG DILLON READ
DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE                                     LEHMAN BROTHERS
 
   
                  Prospectus dated                     , 1999.
    
<PAGE>   56
 
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
     The following table sets forth fees payable to the Securities and Exchange
Commission and the New York Stock Exchange, and other estimated expenses
expected to be incurred in connection with the distribution of securities being
registered. All such fees and expenses shall be paid by Keebler:
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee.........  $169,912
Transfer Agent Fees and Expenses............................    10,000
Printing and Engraving Fees and Expenses....................   300,000
Legal Fees and Expenses.....................................   250,000
Accounting Fees and Expenses................................    90,000
Miscellaneous...............................................    50,000
                                                              --------
          Total.............................................  $869,912
                                                              ========
</TABLE>
    
 
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
     Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law ("DGCL") provides that
a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to
be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or
proceeding whether civil, criminal or investigative (other than an action by or
in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he is or was a
director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at
the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise,
against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgment, fines and amounts paid
in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such
action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. Section 145 further
provides that a corporation similarly may indemnify any such person serving in
any such capacity who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to
any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the
corporation to procure a judgment in its favor, against expenses (including
attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense
or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner
he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any
claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be
liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court
of Chancery or such other court in which such action or suit was brought shall
have determined upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but
in view of all of the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and
reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Delaware Court of
Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
 
     Keebler's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that
indemnification shall be to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL for all
current or former directors or officers of Keebler.
 
     As permitted by the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation provides that
directors of Keebler shall have no personal liability to Keebler or its
stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director,
except (i) for any breach of a director's duty of loyalty to Keebler of its
stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve
intentional misconduct or knowing violations of law, (iii) under Section 174 of
the DGCL or (iv) for any transaction in which a director derives an improper
personal benefit.
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   57
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
     (a) Exhibits. See the Exhibit Index following the signature pages to this
Registration Statement.
 
     (b) Financial Statement Schedules. None.
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
 
     (a) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 15, or otherwise, the
Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expense incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling preceding,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
     (b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
          (1) For purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act,
     the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
     Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form
     of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or
     497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
     Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
          (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
     Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall
     be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
     offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
     deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
     (c) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) and section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's
annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a
new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   58
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of
Elmhurst, in the State of Illinois, on the 29th day of December, 1998.
    
 
                                          KEEBLER FOODS COMPANY
 
                                          By:       /s/ SAM K. REED
 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name: Sam K. Reed
                                          Title: President and Chief Executive
                                          Officer
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Amendment No. 1 to
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons on
December 29, 1998 in the capacities indicated:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       SIGNATURE                                             TITLE
                       ---------                                             -----
<C>                                                       <S>
 
                    /s/ SAM K. REED                       Chief Executive Officer, President
- --------------------------------------------------------  (Principal Executive Officer) and Director
                      Sam K. Reed
 
                 /s/ E. NICHOL MCCULLY                    Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice
- --------------------------------------------------------  President -- Finance (Principal Financial
                   E. Nichol McCully                      Officer)
 
                   /s/ JAMES T. SPEAR                     Vice President Finance and Corporate
- --------------------------------------------------------  Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)
                     James T. Spear
 
                           *                              Chairman of the Board and Director
- --------------------------------------------------------
                    Robert P. Crozer
 
                           *                              Director
- --------------------------------------------------------
                    Raymond Debbane
 
                           *                              Director
- --------------------------------------------------------
                     Sacha Lainovic
 
                           *                              Director
- --------------------------------------------------------
                   Amos R. McMullian
 
                           *                              Director
- --------------------------------------------------------
                   Franklin L. Burke
 
                           *                              Director
- --------------------------------------------------------
                   Jimmy M. Woodward
 
                           *                              Director
- --------------------------------------------------------
                     Wayne H. Pace
 
                           *                              Director
- --------------------------------------------------------
                 Johnston C. Adams, Jr.
 
                           *                              Director
- --------------------------------------------------------
                  G. Anthony Campbell
 
                           *                              Director
- --------------------------------------------------------
                   C. Martin Wood III
 
               *By /s/ THOMAS E. O'NEILL
  ----------------------------------------------------
                    Attorney-in-fact
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   59
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                       DOCUMENT AND DESCRIPTION
- -------                      ------------------------
<S>        <C>
1.1*       Form of Underwriting Agreement between Keebler, Artal,
           Claremont and the underwriters named therein
1.2*       Form of Subscription Agreement between Keebler, Artal,
           Claremont and the managers named therein
2.1*       Plan and Agreement of Merger dated November 20, 1997 between
           Keebler and INFLO Holdings Corporation (incorporated by
           reference to Exhibit 2.1 of Keebler's Registration Statement
           on Form S-1 previously filed with the SEC (file no.
           333-42075)
5.1        Form of Opinion of Winston & Strawn re: legality
23.1       Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (independent auditors)
23.2       Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (independent auditors)
24*        Powers of Attorney (contained on the signature page hereto)
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
   
* Previously filed with the Commission on December 10, 1998
    

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1

                                 Form of Opinion


                               December 29, 1998


Keebler Foods Company
677 Larch Avenue
Elmhurst, IL  60126

                  Re:      17,828,729 Shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value,
                           of Keebler Foods Company

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                  We refer to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the
"Registration Statement"), filed on December 10, 1998 by Keebler Foods Company
(the "Company") with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, relating to the registration of 17,828,729 shares of
Common Stock, $0.01 par value (the "Shares"), of the Company by certain selling
stockholders.

                  This opinion is delivered in accordance with the requirements
of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Act").

                  In connection with this opinion, we have examined and are
familiar with an original or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our
satisfaction, of (i) the Registration Statement; (ii) the form of underwriting
agreement and the form of subscription agreement as filed as exhibits to the
Registration Statement (collectively, the "Underwriting Agreements"), (iii) the
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as currently
in effect; (iv) the Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company, as currently in
effect; and (v) the resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company
relating to, among other things, the Registration Statement. We have also
examined such other documents and records as we have deemed necessary or
appropriate as a basis for the opinion set forth below.

                  In our examination, we have assumed the legal capacity of all
natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all
documents and records submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies and the
authenticity of the originals of such latter documents. As to any facts material
to this opinion which we did not independently establish or verify, we have
relied upon oral or written statements and representations of officers and other
representatives of the Company and others.

                 Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares
have been legally issued, and are fully paid and non-assessable.


<PAGE>   2


Keebler Foods Company
December 29, 1999
Page 2



                  We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit
to the Registration Statement and to all references to our firm included in or
made a part of the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not
concede that we are experts within the meaning of the Act or the rules and
regulations thereunder or that this consent is required by Section 7 of the Act.

                                                     Very truly yours,



                                                     Winston & Strawn






<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
   
     We consent to the incorporation by reference in Amendment No. 1 to the
Registration Statement of Keebler Foods Company on Form S-3 of our report dated
February 18, 1998, on our audits of the consolidated financial statements and
financial statement schedule of Keebler Foods Company. We also consent to the
references to our firm under the captions "Experts," "Summary Consolidated
Historical Financial Data" and "Selected Historical Financial Data."
    
 
                                          PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chicago, Illinois
   
December 29, 1998
    

<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2
 
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
   
     We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus
constituting part of Amendment No. 1 to this Registration Statement on Form S-3
of our report dated February 27, 1998 relating to the financial statements of
President International, Inc., which appears on page F-6 of the Current Report
on Form 8-K/A dated December 10, 1998 of Keebler Foods Company. We also consent
to the references to our firm under the caption "Experts."
    
 
                                          PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
   
December 29, 1998
    


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