Bellisio Foods Incorporated (formerly Michelina's) is an American frozen food manufacturer based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company was founded by Jeno Paulucci in Duluth, Minnesota, and is now owned by Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited of Thailand.[1] Its products are primarily sold in the United States but are also distributed in more than 12 countries worldwide, including Canada, Australia, Russia and China. As the third-largest producer of frozen entrees in the United States, the company has a daily production capacity of over two million meals.[2]
 | |
| Formerly | Michelina's |
|---|---|
| Company type | Private |
| Industry | Frozen food |
| Founded | July 7, 1918 1990 (as Bellisio Foods) Duluth, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Founder | Jeno Paulucci |
| Headquarters | Minneapolis, Minnesota , U.S. |
| Parent | Charoen Pokphand Foods |
| Website | www |
The company produces over 400 products in multiple categories, including single-serve and multi-serve entrees, snacks, side dishes and specialty sauces. Example Bellisio brands are Michelina's, Michelina's Lean Gourmet, Michelina's Budget Gourmet, Fusion Culinary, Arden Kitchens, Chariton and Howlin’ Coyote.
The company also offers contract manufacturing via private label and co-pack partnerships for retail products. Example co-pack brands are Chili's, Boston Market and Zatarain's.[3]
Bellisio operates Fusion Culinary Center, a wholly owned subsidiary based in Lakeville, Minnesota. Fusion conducts research and development for many national restaurant chains. Originally produced in Duluth, Bellisio's products now ship from its facility in Jackson, Ohio. Duluth still handles portions of the packaging and financial departments. The executive offices of Bellisio are in Minneapolis.
Acquisitions
editOn June 16, 2013, Bellisio purchased APC Foods, located in Austin, Minnesota, for $6.1 million. APC was for sale after its owners filed for receivership to avoid bankruptcy.[4]
Also in 2013, Overhill Farms Inc.,[5] a frozen foods manufacturer based in Vernon, California, was acquired by the company for approximately $80 million.[6]
Bellisio was purchased by Thai food conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Foods in 2016 for $1.08 billion.[3]
References
edit- ^ Dorbian, Iris (2016-12-22). "CP Foods completes Bellisio acquisition". PE Hub. Retrieved 2020-09-29.
- ^ "Thai CPF to buy Bellisio in $1.08 billion deal". Reuters. 2016-11-17. Retrieved 2020-01-28.
- ^ a b St. Anthony, Neal (17 November 2016). "Minneapolis-based Bellisio Foods sells for $1.08 billion to Thailand company". Star Tribune. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
- ^ Peterson, Matt (2013-06-19). "Minneapolis food producer buys Austin Packaging for $6.1 million". Austin Daily Herald. Retrieved 2020-09-29.
- ^ "Overhill Farms, Inc. - Home". www.overhillfarms.com. Retrieved 2020-09-29.
- ^ "California based frozen food manufacturer Overhill Farms Inc. purchased by Bellisio Foods for approx. $80 million". Archived from the original on 2015-04-19. Retrieved 2015-04-03.
External links
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