Frozen Mexican food maker to shut down factory in Tulare, laying off 215 workers
Frozen Mexican food maker Ruiz Foods is shutting down its manufacturing plant in Tulare this summer as the company shifts production to its five other factories in California, Texas and South Carolina.
In a statement, company officials said the Tulare plant at 4002 S. K St. has outlived its usefulness. The plant opened in 2004 to provide short-term production for the company’s flagship plant in Dinuba.
But after 20 years, the company determined the frozen food plant was too small and would require “substantial capital investment to meet our manufacturing needs or remain a viable part of the Ruiz Foods network.”
The Tulare plant employs 215 people and will close between Aug. 30 and Sept. 13.
“While this is the right decision for our business, we recognize the impact on our valued Tulare team members and will be working to provide support and options during this transition including, for some, an option to transfer to our Dinuba plant,” the company said.
Ruiz Foods was founded in 1964 by Louis Ruiz and his son Fred. They created the company as an option for consumers wanting Mexican food in the grocery store. Over several decades, their line of products has made the El Monterey brand America’s top brand of frozen Mexican food.
Ruiz Foods has since expanded to Texas and South Carolina where it produces a variety of Mexican foods, including, empanadas, burritos, chimichangas, enchiladas and chicken bowls.
The company employs more than 4,000 people in five factories and is now headquartered in Frisco, Texas.
This story was originally published June 5, 2024 at 5:13 PM.
