Is Nestlé set to start making KitCats?

KITKAT owner Nestlé is circling a posh British pet food company that was last year awarded a Royal Warrant.

City sources said the Swiss giant is looking at buying Lily’s Kitchen, whose fans include singer Ed Sheeran and TV presenter Fearne Cotton.

The Mail on Sunday revealed in December that the owners of Lily’s Kitchen

– private equity firm L Catterton and founder Henrietta Morrison – had appointed financiers from Houlihan Lokey to advise on a possible sale.

Sources said Nestlé started considering making an offer 12 months ago. Its interest began after US confectionary giant Mars bought British vet chain Linnaeus in 2018.

Bankers said Nestlé is likely to face stiff competition for Lily’s Kitchen, which may fetch up to £150million.

The business was set up in 2008 after Morrison’s dog Lily fell ill and refused to eat regular pet food. She remortgaged her house to help raise £150,000 to start the company.

Nestlé and Lily’s Kitchen declined to comment.

Ben Harrington