Nabisco Table Spreads

Looking for consulting case studies to get ready for your next interview? Dive into this EY-Parthenon case and see if you can solve the prompt.

Case Prompt

Nabisco’s Table Spreads operating company was looking to buy the Parkay brand of margarine.  No manufacturing equipment or facilities would be included, only the brand name and formulas.  

From a financial perspective, the deal is a positive NPV project.

From a strategic point of view, should Nabisco acquire Parkay? How would you approach this problem?

Case Overview

Your client is Nabisco Table Spreads, and they are considering acquiring Parkay. They have come to you seeking guidance on the wisdom of this choice from a strategic point of view. It is your job to gather the information about the companies and the market to help your client determine if the purchase is one that makes sense for them in the long run.

As you prepare for your interviews, it’s important to practice a variety of consulting case studies. To solve this case study, we suggest using the M&A Framework, but don’t just stop there. The top candidates know how to blend frameworks with their own experience to create a customized framework that’s specific to the problem.

This case has no math exhibits. This is an intermediate level case with a qualitative difficulty of 2 out of 4, meaning you would most likely see it in an EY-Parthenon first round interview

EY-Parthenon Interview Tips

What does EY-Parthenon look for in its candidates? Employees with a well rounded set of skills who can think on their feet and adjust.

Make sure you are ready to verbalize your recommendation clearly and show your comfort level with different situations.

To make the most out of this case study, pay attention to:

• Coming away with 1 key takeaway or area you can improve
• Timing yourself throughout the case (2min for structure, 2min for brainstorming, 2min for conclusion)

If you need more consulting case studies to help you prep, visit our Case Library – we have hundreds!

Book an hour of out-loud practice with an ex-MBB coach.