Back to all newsHouse of Raeford Farms of Rose Hill, NC, announced today that it has reached an agreement to purchase the business, operating assets, and trademark of Filet of Chicken Acquisition, LLC of Forest Park, Georgia, from Flagship Food Group, LLC . Additionally, the companies have entered into a longterm supply and joint marketing agreement. It is contemplated that the closing will take place no later than June 27, joining one of the nation’s top 10 chicken producers with a leading supplier of par-fried frozen poultry products.
In announcing the acquisition, Bob Johnson, President and CEO of House of Raeford, indicated that this action supports the company’s strategy announced last year to expand its cooked chicken product lines in conjunction with an increase in chicken production volumes. “This will add a complete line of parfried products to House of Raeford’s existing fully-cooked breaded, formed, whole muscle, roasted, and deli chicken and turkey products produced in our three other cook plants”, said Johnson.
Under the terms of the agreement, the company will continue to operate as Filet of Chicken (FOC), and House of Raeford will honor all existing FOC supplier and customer agreements and contracts. As an independent operating unit, the current FOC management group will administer all purchasing and sales agreements.
“We feel very comfortable that the FOC team will blend very well into House of Raeford’s Cooked Products Group,” Johnson continued.
In commenting on the transaction, Rob Holland, CEO of the Flagship Food Group said, “We sincerely believe that this transaction is a win for all parties, from House of Raeford which will acquire one of the leading facilities and teams in the further processing space, to the customers and suppliers of FOC who will now be partnered with a leading poultry company that we highly respect. The transaction also is the beginning of a long term relationship between Flagship and House of Raeford, which allows us as partners to develop innovative new products for our customers.”
Filet of Chicken employs approximately 500 associates at their metro-Atlanta plant and currently produces among other items battered and breaded chicken nuggets and tenders; marinated and roasted wings; and IQF filets and tenders. The company serves many of North America’s most popular chain restaurants, grocery stores, and other foodservice distribution channels. Operating an SQF Level III plant, FOC is also one of only a few further processors in the continental U. S. certified to further process individually frozen organic poultry. FOC also processes antibiotic free poultry products.
About House of Raeford Farms
House of Raeford Farms, Inc. is one of the nation’s top ten largest chicken processors, providing ready-to-cook chicken and further processed chicken and turkey products to the foodservice, retail, and export markets. The company is family-owned and operated and based out of Rose Hill, North Carolina with additional facilities in Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The organization is committed to employing the best people, maintaining and operating state-of-the-art facilities, producing the highest quality products, and providing the utmost in customer service and satisfaction. For more information visit www.houseofraeford.com.
About Flagship Food Group, LLC
Flagship Food Group is a diversified, global food company which serves the retail and food service channels in the U.S. and internationally. The company sells products under the TJ Farms®, 505 Southwestern®, Oh Boy®, and Lilly B’s retail brands, as well as through the TJ Farm®, Oasis Foods, and House of Lords food service brands. The Company operates manufacturing, warehouse, and office facilities in eight locations in the U.S. and in the U.K. Visit www.flagshipfoodgroup.com for more information.