MONEYHostess Brands plans shutdownA twin pack of Hostess Twinkies and chocolate CupCakes are displayed Jan. 11 in Washington. Hostess, the maker of Twinkies and Wonder Bread, announced Nov. 16 that it plans to go out of business, lay off 18,500 workers and sell its snack cake and bread brands.Paul J. Richards, AFP/Getty ImagesDiana McKinley from Seattle Local 9 pickets at Hostess Brands plant Nov. 15 in Sacramento. McKinley has worked for Hostess in Seattle for 33 years.Paul Kitagaki Jr., The Sacramento Bee, Via APHostess Brands, maker of Twinkies, Ding Dongs and Wonder Bread, said Friday that it has filed a motion in bankruptcy court seeking permission to close and sell its assets, including its iconic brands.Scott Olson, Getty ImagesWorkers stage a walkout at the Hostess Brands bakery Nov. 15 in Schiller Park, Ill. The workers were not allowed to strike, so they walked off their jobs in a show of support for workers at other Hostess facilities.Scott Olson, Getty ImagesAn assortment of Hostess Brands products are displayed Nov. 15 in Chicago. The company says it has suspended bakery operations, but deliveries will continue, and Hostess retail stores will stay open to sell products already in the pipeline.Scott Olson, Getty ImagesPeople stand in the parking lot Nov. 15 at the Hostess plant in Ogden, Utah.Rick Bowmer, APA loaf of Wonder Bread sits on the shelf Jan. 10 in New York.Spencer Platt, Getty ImagesWorkers stage a walkout at the Hostess Brands bakery Nov. 15 in Schiller Park. Hostess workers remained on picket lines across the country Thursday night, refusing a company ultimatum to return to work or face the liquidation of the national baker.Scott Olson, Getty ImagesA package of Ho Hos sits on the shelf at a grocery store Jan. 10 in New York.Spencer Platt, Getty ImagesUnion members picket across the street from the Hostess-owned Dolly Madison bakery Nov. 14 in Emporia, Kan.Matthew Fowler, APStriking worker and union chief steward Kravis Pfeiffer holds signs in front of the Hostess Production Bakery on Nov 13 in Peoria, Ill. Pfeiffer has been camping out in a tent in the back of his truck.Fred Zwicky, Journal Star, Via APStriking workers march on a picket line outside the Hostess bakery Nov. 12 in Memphis.Jim Weber, The Commercial Appeal, Via APHostess Brands, maker of Twinkies and CupCakes, filed in bankruptcy court.PRNFeatured Weekly Ad