Several refrigerated and frozen food processors were among those recently honored as top suppliers by casual restaurant operator T.G.I. Friday's USA, Carrollton, Texas.
Frozen bakery and prepared foods are key growth areas for Swiss global bakery foods giant Aryzta AG, which expected by July to complete two acquisitions valued at $1.08 billion.
In conjunction with its fourth quarter and full-year financial earnings release, meat giant Smithfield Foods Inc., Smithfield, Va., said it offered to purchase its joint venture partner's 51 percent ownership interest in Butterball, LLC.
Advantage Capital Partners, Chicago, said it provided $7.8 million in financing to Protein Solutions, a processor and distributor of portion controlled meat products.
Diversified bakery, meat and prepared foods giant Sara Lee Corp., Downers Grove, Ill., said Chairman & CEO Brenda Barnes, on a temporary medical leave of absence, is recuperating from a stroke.
Dairy products giant Dean Foods Co., Dallas, said it hired consumer packaged goods industry veteran Shaun Mara as senior vice president and chief accounting officer.
National Restaurant Association (NRA) officials said attendee and exhibitor numbers both showed positive growth at NRA's 91st annual Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show.
Food and agriproducts giant Cargill Incorporated, Minneapolis, said its U.S. meats business plans by June 2011 to build a $14.7 million culinary center and pilot plant in Wichita, Kan.
Prepared meats and sandwiches processor Pierre Foods Inc., Cincinnati, said it plans in August to close its pre-cooked chicken and meats plant in Rome, Ga.