Quirch Foods, a portfolio company of Palladium Equity Partners, has announced the expansion of its distribution network with the addition of a 146,000-square-foot frozen, chilled and dry warehouse in Opa-Locka, Florida. With this addition, the Coral Gables, Florida-headquartered company now operates 23 distribution centers throughout North America and the Caribbean.
Founded in 1967, Quirch Foods is a food distribution company serving major and independent retailers, foodservice operators, cruise lines and the hospitality industry throughout the Americas and Caribbean, with expansion plans for Europe and the Middle East. It owns and distributes a portfolio of proprietary brands including Panamei Seafood, High River Angus, Kikiriquirch poultry, and Mambo Foods, and is a licensed distributor of Certified Angus Beef. Additionally, it is the exclusive distributor of Chiquita Brands frozen tropical fruits.
“This acquisition reinforces our commitment to supporting independent grocers and foodservice providers while expanding our ability to deliver high quality products and tech-enabled solutions,” said Frank Grande, president and chief executive officer of Quirch Foods. “Increasing our cold storage capacity strengthens our supply chain and enhances service capabilities, while ensuring we remain at the forefront of the industry.”
The newly acquired facility will optimize Quirch Foods’ logistics operations, enabling the company to meet growing customer demand with greater efficiency and flexibility.
Daniel Ilundain, president of Palladium said: “This expansion into Opa-Locka marks Quirch Foods’ sixth acquisition since our investment in 2018, increasing refrigerated space more than 2 times and frozen space more than 3 times. We are proud to have helped the company increase its distribution to service more than 40 states in the USA.”
