DELRAY BEACH, FL--(Marketwire - Nov 7, 2012) - Franklin Foods, Inc., the world's fastest growing cream cheese company, announced today their decision to open a second manufacturing facility as part of the company's strategic growth initiative and to meet the growing demand for their products. The new facility will be located in Casa Grande, Arizona. Cream Cheese production is planned to commence in early 2013.

The Franklin Food West facility greatly expands manufacturing capacity for Franklin's rapidly growing Food Service, Industrial, Retail, Private Label and International businesses. This new production capacity will also be used to meet consumer demand for Franklin's recently launched Greek Cream Cheese. New modern technology has been acquired and will be installed to accelerate the company's Mission to "Re-Invent Cream Cheese for Today's Consumers."

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 will continue this tradition in Arizona by purchasing local milk and cream from United Dairyman of Arizona (UDA).

"Over the past two years we've conducted an exhaustive search throughout the Western USA, and we are pleased to announce our new facility in Casa Grande, Arizona," said Jon Gutknecht, President & CEO of Franklin Foods. "We are excited to put down roots in the local community and partner with, not only UDA and their Coop of Arizona family farms, but also the talent-rich community of Casa Grande. We could not be happier to be a part of the Great State of Arizona."

Franklin Food's state-of-the-art 90,000 square foot facility in Casa Grande will produce a full line of cultured cream cheese and cream cheese based products including the newly announced and industry first Greek Cream Cheese. The facility is expected to create 59 new jobs over the next two years.

Keith Murfield, CEO of United Dairymen of Arizona, said, "We are pleased that Franklin Foods has chosen Arizona and Casa Grande for their expansion. We are very impressed with Franklin's team and look forward to welcoming them as a new customer of UDA."

"We'd like to give special thanks to the various groups and agencies that were instrumental in our selection of Casa Grande. The Honorable Bob Jackson, Mayor of Casa Grande, Sandra Watson, President & CEO, Arizona Commerce Authority, Barry Broome, President & CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, and Jim Dinkle, Executive Director of the Central Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation," said Jon Gutknecht, CEO of Franklin Foods commenting on the opening of the new facility.

Franklin Foods, Inc. also announced today that it has promoted Rocco Cardinale to Vice-President. In his new role, Mr. Cardinale and his family will relocate from South Florida to Arizona where he will oversee the startup of the new facility.

About Franklin Foods
Franklin Foods, Inc., 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
 

Franklin Foods ranks 94th on the Dairy 100, Dairy Foods' annual ranking of North America's largest dairy proccessors.