Juanita’s Foods, maker of the No. 1 brand of Mexican-style menudo and pozole in the U.S., has acquired a 120,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Santa Fe Springs, California, securing a long-term Southern California production home as demand for authentic Mexican foods grows through retail and foodservice channels nationwide. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The Santa Fe Springs plant at 13100 Arctic Circle will become the company’s primary manufacturing site, consolidating production currently housed at its longtime Wilmington, California, facility into a single, expanded operation following what the company called a carefully planned transition. The investment lands as Hispanic food categories draw expanding shelf space and assortment commitments from retailers coast to coast, making supplier capacity a supply-reliability question for the grocers riding that demand.
“For 80 years, Juanita’s has been made in Southern California, and this investment keeps it that way,” said Robert Rosales, CEO of Juanita’s Foods. “Santa Fe Springs gives us the capacity, capabilities and room to grow that our brand needs for its next chapter. We are grateful to the City of Santa Fe Springs for its partnership and to our team, whose craftsmanship built this brand and will carry it into this new facility.”
Capacity and supply continuity
The company said the acquisition is expected to deliver expanded capacity supporting its core menudo, pozole and hominy portfolio; supply continuity for retail and foodservice customers through a phased transition designed to protect quality and service levels; and long-term investment in the Los Angeles-area food manufacturing community, including continued local employment.
Ownership’s long-term bet
The deal also marks a capacity commitment from the brand’s private equity owner, Apex Capital, which acquired Juanita’s with backing from the operating heritage of Guatemala-based Grupo Mariposa.
“This investment reflects our conviction in the Juanita’s brand and our long-term commitment to building the capabilities required to support its growth,” said Pedro Palma, managing partner of Apex Capital and chairman of the Juanita’s Foods board. “Securing a permanent manufacturing home in Southern California is an important investment in the company’s future, its employees and the customers it serves.”
Santa Fe Springs City Manager René Bobadilla welcomed the company, calling the move a win for a region working to keep food manufacturers in California through the “Big 4” partnership among Santa Fe Springs, Commerce, Industry and Vernon.
Founded in 1946 in Wilmington, Juanita’s Foods produces authentic Mexican-style soups, stews and sauces sold at major grocery retailers, club stores and foodservice operators nationwide.
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