Something sweeter than $6.5M needed to ice Crumbs’ top bid

Anyone who wants to take on CNBC star Marcus Lemonis in the bidding for Crumbs Bake Shop will need at least $6.5 million by Aug. 19.

That’s the day the bankrupt bakery asked the court to set as the deadline for those wishing to compete with Lemonis and partner Fischer Enterprises in their quest for Crumbs ownership. The $6.5 million is the amount necessary to beat the stalking-horse bid already submitted by Lemonis and Fischer.

Restaurant analyst Peter Saleh expects the auction to be a no-show, however, given the plan put forth by Lemonis to expand Crumbs’ single-product line-up with other brands he owns. Those include Key West Key Lime Pie, Matt’s Cookies, Mr. Green Tea and Sweet Pete’s — most of which have appeared on Lemonis’ CNBC show, “The Profit.”

“That makes him a strategic buyer and not just a financial buyer,” Saleh said.

Crumbs said Friday that a bankruptcy court had approved all first-day motions for it to pay certain creditors in order to sustain operations.

Although the court also gave authority to “pay employee wages and benefits as usual,” a spokeswoman wouldn’t say if that meant a quick re-opening of select stores.

“We don’t have any additional information on stores or timing,” she said.