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Economic Development

Ruiz Food to Expand in Florence, SC

by GroundBreak Carolinas Staff on

Ruiz Food Products, Inc., a producer of frozen food and snack products, is expanding its existing Florence County operations. The $79 million investment is expected to create 705 new jobs over the next several years.

“We are honored how the Florence community and the State of South Carolina have embraced our joining their business community,” said Rachel P. Cullen, Ruiz Food Products President and CEO. “The growing demand for our products requires we increase capacity as we continue to service our existing and continually-growing East Coast customer base. This seven-year expansion plan will allow us to do just that.”

El Monterey™ is the flagship frozen Mexican food brand for Ruiz Foods and the top-selling brand of frozen Mexican food in the United States. Its products include burritos, tamales, breakfast burritos, empanadas, quesadillas, taquitos and more. Tornados™, also distributed nationally, is the company’s snack brand and a leader on convenience store roller grills. Ruiz Foods produces these items at facilities in California, South Carolina and Texas, employing nearly 3,600 team members nationwide.

“It’s wonderful to see such a well-respected company, like Ruiz Foods, not just locate in South Carolina, but grow and thrive here as well,” said SC Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt. “This expansion is a tremendous win for Florence County, and it shows the world that South Carolina continues to be ‘Just right’ for businesses of all types.” –

Located at 2557 Florence Harllee Boulevard in Florence, S.C., the company will be adding another production line to its South Carolina manufacturing facility immediately; and, there are plans to add additional lines in the next seven years. Hiring for the new positions is already underway, and interested applicants should send resumes to FlorenceJobs@RuizFoods.com or visit the SC Tech Jobs website for more information.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved job development credits related to this project. A $1 million Closing Fund grant was awarded to Florence County to assist with the costs of building construction.