CHARLOTTE, N. C. – Carolina Foods, a maker of candy products, celebrated its anniversary and the grand opening of its second plant in the Charlotte suburb of Pineville.
“This pivotal milestone symbolizes a new era and the beginning of decades of determination and commitment to the consumers we serve,” said Dan Myers, president and chief executive officer of Carolina Foods. “The delicious smell of our honey rolls now fills the air in Pineville, a testament to the innovation and quality that has allowed us to thrive for 90 years, and we are grateful to celebrate this new bankruptcy surrounded by our valued employees, network members and partners. “
Paul Scarborough, son of founder Vernon Scarborough, attended the birthday party along with representatives from Carolina Foods’ parent company, Falfurrias Capital Partners, and Mecklenburg County civic leaders.
Founded in 1934 through Vernon Scarborough as a sandwich and bakery company, Carolina Foods expanded into the doughnut and pastry business after World War II. In the 1990s, Carolina Foods exited the sandwich business to concentrate solely on sweet products. During its lifetime, the company has expanded its distribution beyond the region. Its original 100,000-square-foot production facility in Charlotte’s South End community has allowed it to serve its wide variety of consumers in the United States and Mexico.
In 2021, Falfurrias Capital Partners acquired Carolina Foods. A new facility was needed for the company’s growth.
“We couldn’t grow our business because we were limited in facilities,” Myers said. “According to the Scarborough family, Falfurrias was the only potential customer who decided to build a new facility. “
Charlotte-based Falfurrias has solidified the company’s commitment to remain in the region.
“The new site was ideal because it’s 10 miles from the original facility and a higher percentage of our workers can go to the new site,” Myers said. “Retaining our workforce was vitally important because we needed to retain that organizational knowledge. “
Working with Beacon Partners as a developer, they started work in August 2022, and earlier this year, Carolina Foods earned its certificate of occupancy. The first production line, a line for honey rolls, was unveiled on March 11.
The new facility is 428,000 square feet. While the bakery is operational, seven production lines and 20 packaging lines will continue to be installed, doubling the capacity of the South End plant. With the new bakery operational, Carolina Foods plans to close its original facility by the end of 2025.
“South End has created a high-quality product and provided the right service, but we’re taking it to the next point using technology, climate control and knowledge to drive improvements,” Myers said.