March 12/London/Wall Street Journal -- The private-equity owners of United Biscuits (UB) have appointed Credit Suisse to separate the U.K. food company's salty snack business from its other operations, according to a person familiar with the matter, in an effort rekindle a failed sale of the company in 2010.

UB's owners, Blackstone Group LP and France's PAI Partners, tried unsuccessfully in 2010 to unload the entire business, but ultimately were unable to even after they came close to a deal with China's Bright Food Group. The hiring of Credit Suisse shows they are trying again, but this time will attempt to sell the company in pieces, starting with snacks.

The snack business has about a dozen brands including McCoy's potato chips, Hula Hoops, Mini Cheddars and KP nuts.