FoodLogistics.com |

South Holland, IL: Rupari Food Services, a supplier of spare ribs, back ribs and other barbecue products to restaurant chains, supermarkets and other retailers, will expand its food and meat processing plant, creating more than 170 jobs. Rupari will build a new 60,000-square-foot production and cold storage facility that will nearly double its employment and allow it to expand production of ready-to-eat foods.

The Illinois Finance Authority is issuing $10 million in industrial revenue bonds for the project. Rupari is responsible for paying off the bonds, which carry below-market interest rates, the IFA said.

Work will include the addition of freezers and warehouse space and a 10,000-square foot expansion of Rupari's ready-to-eat foods production. Cooking capacity at the plant will increase to 50 million pounds annually from 20 million pounds.

"Food buyers are demanding ready-to-eat, ready-to-serve products, especially ribs and barbeque," says Robert Mintz, Rupari's CEO.

The plant is now 90,000 square feet and supplies ribs to restaurant chains that include T.G.I. Friday's and Outback Steak House, Mintz notes. It also makes ribs for retailers packaged under the Tony Roma's brand.