Bob Evan Farms, Columbus, Ohio, said it expects by May 2009 to nearly double the size of a frozen sandwich processing plant in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Officials say the $16 million investment will increase the facility -- operated by Bob Evans'Owens Foodsubsidiary -- to more than 100,000 square feet.
Said Owens Vice President of Operations Phil Chapman, "This expansion is essential to meeting the increasing demand by our customers for our popular convenience sandwich items, including our breakfast sandwiches, fully-cooked sausage and breakfast tacos. We currently have product distribution in 49 states and expect to ship 28 million pounds of product annually when we are at full capacity in this expanded facility."
Besides Sulphur Springs, Owens and Bob Evans operate food plants in Richardson, Texas; Bidwell, Springfield and Xenia, Ohio; Hillsdale, Mich.; and Galva, Ill.