Riviana Foods Inc., a leading name in the North American food industry, has announced a significant $80.6 million investment to expand and upgrade its state-of-the-art processing and packaging facility located in Memphis, Tennessee. This strategic move underscores Riviana Foods’ commitment to growth and innovation, aiming to substantially increase its production capabilities for popular ready-to-serve products while generating new employment opportunities in the region.
The ambitious project will add approximately 65,000 square feet to the existing plant and renovate around 20,000 square feet of space. This expansion is primarily designed to ramp up the production of Riviana Foods’ convenient ready-to-serve cup products, particularly the widely recognized Minute® rice microwaveable cups. Furthermore, the investment will enable the plant to introduce new production lines for ready-to-serve pouches featuring some of Riviana’s flagship brands, including Tilda®, Carolina®, and Mahatma® rice. This diversification will allow Riviana Foods to better cater to evolving consumer preferences for convenient and high-quality meal solutions.
“This significant investment positions us to better anticipate and fulfill the evolving demands of our customers, who are increasingly seeking convenient, nutritious, and superior food options,” stated Enrique Zaragoza, President and CEO of Riviana Foods. “We are excited to deepen our long-standing and successful partnership with the Memphis community through this expansion.” This statement highlights Riviana Foods’ focus on customer satisfaction and its dedication to being a valuable contributor to the Memphis economy.
This expansion marks the seventh major project at the Memphis facility since its inception in 2006, demonstrating Riviana Foods’ continuous investment in this location. Notably, a $15 million investment in April 2021 was dedicated to enhancing production and expanding the plant’s instant rice capacity, showcasing a pattern of ongoing development and modernization at the site. Demolition and construction are slated to commence in the first quarter of 2023, with the newly expanded production capacity expected to become operational starting in the first quarter of 2024. This timeline reflects Riviana Foods’ proactive approach to meeting future market demands.
The expansion and renovation project is supported by an 11-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) incentive, granted by the Economic Development Growth Engine Industrial Development Board of the City of Memphis and County of Shelby, Tennessee. Riviana Foods has expressed gratitude to the EDGE Board and numerous other entities for their crucial guidance and financial support in facilitating this investment. These include The Honorable Jim Strickland, Mayor of the City of Memphis; The Honorable Lee Harris, Mayor of Shelby County; The Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce; State of Tennessee Office of Economic and Community Development; Workforce Mid-South; Memphis Light, Gas and Water; and The Tennessee Valley Authority Office of Regional Economic Development. This collaborative effort underscores the positive impact of Riviana Foods’ investment on the local community and economy.
About Riviana Foods Inc.
Riviana Foods Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, stands as a leading producer committed to delivering the highest quality and safest rice products to consumers. With over a century of experience, Riviana Foods has solidified its position as the premier rice company in America and the world’s largest marketer of wild rice. The company boasts a diverse portfolio of well-known and trusted brands, including Minute®, Success®, Mahatma®, Carolina®, Adolphus®, RiceSelect®, Tilda®, and Gourmet House®. These brands are synonymous with quality and reliability in kitchens across the nation.
As a fully-owned subsidiary of Ebro Foods, Riviana Foods benefits from being part of the world leader in the rice sector and a prominent player in fresh and premium pasta. Ebro Foods, based in Spain, operates globally across the rice, pasta, and sauces industries, with an extensive network of subsidiaries and brands spanning over 80 countries throughout Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa. This global connection strengthens Riviana Foods, providing access to an international network for raw material sourcing, cutting-edge research and development facilities, advanced technology, and continuous product innovation, ensuring Riviana Foods remains at the forefront of the food industry.
