Austin, Minn., is now 'major player in peanut business' with Hormel's big buy of Planters Hormel Foods' $3 billion acquisition of the Planters peanuts, Cheez Balls and Corn Nuts brands means it can now dominate the snack table at any party with meat trays, Chi-Chi’s chips and salsas, Hormel Chili, and Hormel Pepperoni on pizza. 4:00 pm, Feb. 13, 2021 × Jim Sheehan (Submitted by Hormel Foods)Submitted by Hormel Foods AUSTIN, Minn. — It’s a party at Hormel Foods these days in the wake of its $3 billion acquisition of the Planters peanuts, Cheez Balls and Corn Nuts brands, its largest ever deal. Jim Sheehan, Hormel’s executive vice president and chief financial officer, said adding the Planters snack brands to Hormel’s meat trays, Chi-Chi’s chips and salsas, Hormel Chili, and Hormel Pepperoni means that soon Austin, Minnesota's Fortune 500 company will dominate any gathering like a Super Bowl party.