Franklin Foods Announces the Opening of Its Arizona Cream Cheese Plant

New Expanded Production Will Help Meet Growing Consumer Demand for Greek Cream Cheese and Company's Award-Winning Cream Cheese Products in the Western US and Asia


DELRAY BEACH, FL--(Marketwired - Aug 22, 2013) - Franklin Foods, the world's fastest growing cream cheese company, announced today the opening of the Franklin Foods West manufacturing facility. Located in Casa Grande, Arizona, the new facility greatly expands manufacturing capacity for Franklin's rapidly growing Food Service, Industrial, Retail Private Label and International business. The new production capacity will also be used to meet growing consumer demand for Franklin's successful launch of the industry's first Greek Cream Cheese that is now being sold at 10,000 stores, including nationwide at Walmart.

Franklin Food's state-of-the-art facility in Casa Grande is fully operational and producing a full line of Cultured Cream Cheese, Direct Set Cream Cheese and cream cheese-based products including the newly announced Greek Cream Cheese. Products will be produced under company owned brands -- Green Mountain Farms, Lombardi's, Casa Grande Farms and Hahn's, as well nationally recognized Retail Private Label brands. The 90,000 sq. ft state-of-the-art facility has extensive packaging capabilities and is able to package cream cheese products in 8oz Bars, 6oz to 24oz cups, 5Lb tubs, 3Lb loaves and 30Lb bulk sizes. Franklin Foods West's diversified product mix and packaging capabilities will be distributed to industrial, institutional, food service, retail private label, and supermarket accounts across the Western U.S. and support booming export sales around the world.

"It's an honor to announce the official opening of our new facility in Casa Grande, Arizona," said Jon Gutknecht, President and CEO of Franklin Foods. "We could not have done this without the support of our local talent-rich community, the UDA and their Co-op of Arizona family farms, and our Vendor Partners APT, APEX, Cameron Construction, RMJ Electric, and Eden Architects. We are thrilled to be part of the thriving community of Casa Grande and the great state of Arizona."

Franklin Foods was established in Enosburg Falls, Vermont in 1899 and has a rich tradition of supporting local New England Dairy Farmers by purchasing fresh milk and cream from nearby farms and suppliers. The company has continued this tradition in Arizona by purchasing local milk and cream from United Dairyman of Arizona (UDA).

Commenting on the opening of the new facility, Rocco Cardinale, Vice-President of Franklin Foods West said, "It's amazing to pause and reflect on the momentum we have achieved and I am thrilled to announce the opening of our new Casa Grande facility. The new Facility and expanded production capacity will help accelerate Franklin Foods' growth and innovation."

"We are pleased to announce the opening of our Casa Grande facility. The new facility will help us meet the growing demand for our cream cheese products and help the company in it's mission of reinventing Cream Cheese for today's consumer," said John Ovitt, Franklin Foods General Manager.

About Franklin Foods
Franklin Foods' corporate offices are located in Delray Beach, FL, with manufacturing facilities in Enosburg Falls, Vermont and Casa Grande, AZ. Franklin Foods is a Safe Quality Foods (SQF) Level 3 Certified manufacturer. Franklin Foods began producing cheese in 1899 using fresh milk and cream from nearby farms. Today, the Franklin Foods tradition of top quality, delicious taste and dairy innovation continues. Franklin Foods is the fastest growing cream cheese producer in the World and continues on its mission to "Re-Invent Cream Cheese® for today's consumers." Franklin Foods' award-winning products are distributed to industrial, institutional, foodservice, private label, supermarket and club store accounts across the United States and numerous international markets. For more information visit: www.franklinfoods.com