Irony Watch: Atkins diet food company sold to owners of Carvel ice cream, Cinnabon

Atkins Nutritional Holdings, the company best-known for the low-carb Atkins diet, has new owners. And they have a sweet tooth.

Private equity firm North Castle Partners sold the Denver-based Atkins to another investment firm, Roark Capital Group, for an undisclosed sum, the company said Friday.

Roark owns brands such as Carvel ice cream, Cinnabon cinnamon rolls, and Auntie Anne’s soft pretzels, all of which would be off-limits for Atkins dieters who are more likely to buy Atkins branded shakes and protein bars, or other food items approved under the carb-free diet.

Atkins has changed hands four times since the 2003 death of dieting pioneer Dr. Robert Atkins.