Iconic dessert brand Sara Lee, known for its frozen cheesecakes, pies and crumbles, has gone into administration a year after after celebrating 50 years in Australia.

Founded in the US, the Australian factory opened in 1971 on the NSW central coast and has been making its sweet treats there ever since.

The famous brand is a staple in the frozen section of supermarkets, also producing ice-creams, puddings and pastries.

It was announced late Wednesday that Sara Lee Holdings had gone into voluntary administration. Only the Australian brand is impacted.

FTI Consulting has been hired to sell or restructure the business and will seek to continue manufacturing in Australia.

It has not been stated what forced the brand into administration. ABC reported the business had been impacted by “supply chain issues”.

Sara Lee desserts are a staple in the frozen food section. Photo: Facebook

A statement from FTI Consulting said the aim was to keep the business operating.

“Sara Lee is an iconic brand which produces quality Australian-made products from its manufacturing facility in Lisarow NSW, where it employs some 200 staff,” said Vaughan Strawbridge, senior managing director at FTI Consulting.

“We are working with Sara Lee’s management team and staff to continue operations while we secure the future of the business.

“We are immediately commencing a process to sell or restructure the business and continue its long history of manufacturing in Australia.

“We expect a lot of interest in the business and will work with those parties and stakeholders to achieve an outcome soon as possible to secure the ongoing business and provide clarity to its loyal and committed staff and customers.”

The original business was founded by US baker-entrepreneur Charlie Lubin who decided to name his new line of cheesecakes after his eight-year-old daughter in 1949.

Last year the brand celebrated 50 years of its “bakehouse” in Australia.

Sara Lee desserts are made at its facility in Lisarow, on the NSW central coast.

The products are “baked fresh every day” and snap-frozen “to lock in the freshness and delicious flavour”.

Charlie Lubin starting baking cakes and cheesecakes in the 1930s. Photo: Sara Lee website

The Sara Lee factory remains in its original location and employs many members of the local community.

New Zealand-based investor group South Island Office acquired the Australian-based business from McCain Foods in 2021 which had acquired it from Hillshire Brands Co in 2013 for $85 million.