SPRINGDALE, Ark. -- Tyson Foods Inc. has completed the acquisition of Philadelphia-based Original Philly Holdings Inc., a producer of raw and fully cooked Philly-style sandwich steak and cheesesteak appetizer products.
“Original Philly Holdings is a natural, strategic fit with our prepared-foods business,” said Sally Grimes, president of Tyson Foods’ Prepared Foods Group. “The Original Philly brand and portfolio of products are highly regarded in the foodservice industry and have a growing list of customer relationships with chain and convenience-store operators.”
Original Philly Holdings consists of two divisions: Original Philly Cheesesteak Co., which manufactures raw Philly-style sandwich steak products, and Philadelphia Pre-Cooked Steak Co., which manufactures fully cooked Philly-style sandwich steak products.
Original Philly Cheesesteak Co., originally known as Roxborough Meat Co., was founded in 1981 in Philadelphia and produced Philly-style sliced steaks for sale to local and regional foodservice operators. Original Philly experienced 36 years of year-over-year growth with the products and established Philadelphia Pre-Cooked Steak Co. in 1991. Original Philly Cheesesteak Co. and Philadelphia Pre-Cooked Steak Co. merged in early 2017.
The company’s primary customer base is c-stores, as well as other retail and foodservice operators. Original Philly Holdings employs approximately 250 people and operates two plants in Philadelphia.
“We’re excited to be part of the Tyson Foods family, which will allow us to build on the legacy of our business,” said John Karamatsoukas, president and CEO of Original Philly Holdings. “Tyson Foods is a leader in the food industry and has a strong reputation for successfully acquiring and growing family-owned businesses like ours.”
Tyson Foods and Original Philly have put together integration teams to ease the transition period following the acquisition.
Based in Springdale, Ark., Tyson Foods Inc. encompasses a broad portfolio of brands, including Tyson, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Ball Park, Wright, Aidells, ibp and State Fair.
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