Utz Quality Foods, LLC announced that it had completed the merger with Kitchen Cooked Inc. The acquisition includes the Kitchen Cooked snack food brand, direct store delivery (DSD) and manufacturing operations.
The Kitchen Cooked snack food brand brings with it a range of fan-favorite potato chips, Kettle Kurls, Kettle Pops, popcorn, pretzels, and more, according to a press release. The snack company is planning to close its Bushnell facility after more than 40 years in the city, as part of the Utz acquisition.
“We are very excited about the opportunity to add this important snack food brand and set of capabilities to our portfolio,” said Dylan Lissette, Chief Executive Officer, Utz Quality Foods, LLC. “Since the 1930s, Kitchen Cooked brings a strong consumer following and unique craft heritage in its core markets. Their distribution and manufacturing capabilities, along with their customer relationships, enhance our ability to grow our Utz brand portfolio further west.”
Founded in 1921, Utz Quality Foods, LLC. is the largest family‐managed, privately held, salty snack company in the United States, producing a full line of products which are available in a wide range of flavors and come in convenient on-the-go and take-home sizes, available in leading retailers across the U.S.
Related Article: MegaMex Partners with Utz to Introduce New Mexican Snacks into the U.S.
Based in Hanover, Pennsylvania, Utz operates thirteen manufacturing facilities located in Pennsylvania, Alabama, Arizona, Indiana, Louisiana, Washington, and Massachusetts as well as 1,700+ DSD routes.
“We are excited to partner with Utz and believe that this is a great way for the two organizations to come together to create an even stronger manufacturing and distribution network throughout Illinois and Eastern Iowa. Utz and Kitchen Cooked have almost a century each of experience in bringing great tasting snacks to our communities, and we believe this transaction only strengthens our ability to do so going forward,” said Paul Blackhurst, Vice President, Kitchen Cooked Inc.
Blackhurst emphasized that although there is no date set for the Bushnell plant closure at this time, they will move their production to the Farmington Illinois facility through expansion or to another of Utz’s manufacturing plants to be more efficient.
Kitchen Cooked Inc., headquartered in Farmington, IL, is a leading manufacturer and distributor of snack foods serving Central Illinois and Eastern Iowa. Beginning in the 1930’s manufacturing potato chips, Kitchen Cooked Inc. has expanded its product line to include Kettle Kurls, Kettle Pops, popcorn, pretzels, tortilla chips, pork rinds and more.
Information provided by Business Wire.