Gold Creek Foods (GCF) plans to reopen the former Campos Foods plant in Caryville, Tennessee, which closed earlier this year.
According to a press release from Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, GCF is investing $15 million to establish operations at the facility, creating 218 new jobs. Following the acquisition of the property, which was most recently owned by George’s Inc., the plant will be updated and converted into a poultry further processing facility.
“We already have been so impressed with the dedication and resiliency of the eastern Tennessee workforce on our frequent visits, as well as the continued recognition and acceptance of the Quick’N Eat brand in the market,” said Mark Sosebee, CEO of GCF. “We are excited about our expansion and investment in Campbell County, as well as Gold Creek Foods continuing the Quick’N Eat brand that was produced in the Caryville facility previously.”
The process of hiring a workforce for the plant has begun, and full production at the plant is expected to be reached by February 23.
“I thank Gold Creek Foods for placing its trust in Tennessee and strengthening our position as one of the fastest growing states in the country. This significant investment in Campbell County will create more than 200 jobs for Tennesseans, and I look forward to seeing how the region is positively impacted in the years to come,” Lee said.
George’s acquired the plant and the other assets of Campos Foods in November 2017 from Lopez Foods before closing it earlier this year. When contacted by WATT Global Media, George’s chose not to comment on the sale of the facility.
Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Gainesville, Georgia, Gold Creek Foods is one of the nation’s largest full-service chicken processors. The company specializes in processing raw and fully cooked chicken products, serving well-known customers nationwide. With the addition of the Caryville plant, the company will employ more than 3,500 people across its operations in Georgia and Tennessee.
GCF’s acquisition of the Campos Foods facility follows the company’s acquisition of Foundation Food Group, which was announced in September 2021. Foundation Food Group, which formed through the merger of Prime Pak Foods and Victory Processing, gained national attention in 2021, as on of its facilities was the site of a liquid nitrogen leak that led to the deaths of six people, as well as the hospitalization of numerous other workers.
