Burkle, Schwarzman in Americold war

Steve Schwarzman and Ron Burkle are now in a billionaire stare-down, The Post had learned.

Schwarzman’s Blackstone Group has made a $3 billion-plus binding offer for Burkle’s Americold, but the moneyman wants more for his biggest investment, two sources close to the situation said.

Atlanta-based Americold, the world’s largest refrigerated warehousing provider, struggled earlier this decade but has turned things around — prompting some to speculate that Burkle is not likely to sell it for less than top dollar, sources said.

Some observers believe Burkle might choose to take his chances by cashing out of the company of 165 warehouses via the public markets. “I think there will not be a sale, and Burkle will take Americold public next year [in an IPO],” a source close to the situation said.

Blackstone is believed to be the most logical and interested Americold suitor, although there is a chance another firm like KKR & Co. — which has an investment in Americold’s rival, Lineage Logistics — or China Investment Corp., which just bought warehouse operator Logicor, could pony up a higher offer.

Burkle’s Yucaipa, which bought a 20 percent stake in Americold in 2004 and the balance four years later, put the business on the block in May.

Americold has struggled with six different chief executives from 2003 to 2010, a source said, but has improved recently by adding chains, including Target and Walmart, as customers.

Amazon, a new player on the grocery scene with its purchase of Whole Foods, does pose a risk for suitors, however. “You have a lot of flux in how food will be distributed, “one source said.

Amazon may start building its own warehouses, and there is some question as to how traditional food manufacturers will fare when Whole Foods and others more private label brands.

Yucaipa declined to comment, and Blackstone did not return calls for comment.