Golden County Foods Broadens its Base to Spur Appetizer Growth in 2009

October 30, 2009

Growth in channels attributed to investment in advanced automation, top executive leadership

FRISCO, TX, October 30, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Golden County Foods, Inc., known for its SNAPPS frozen appetizer line, says avenues such as the dollar, military, co-pack and foodservice channels increased the company's growth by 14 percent as new customers find that the value to quality equation that works at superstore and grocery shelves can work for them as well.

Founded in 1991, Wisconsin-based Golden County Foods is the worldwide leader in filled potato skins and also offers an array of chef-inspired frozen foods that include battered and breaded snacks, savory dips and an assortment of other snacks, hors d'oeuvres and side dish offerings. New ownership and management continue the uncompromising focus on high food quality and dependable customer service.

"We invested in this business after seeing the quality of the assets, the team and the R & D track record and identifying untapped potential in all channels," said Terry O'Brien, Chairman of Golden County Foods. "Since then, we have doubled the size of our largest facility to allow Golden County Foods to compete with the industry's top performers. We also listened carefully to our customers to ensure we maintained the strong focus on customer service and high quality they've come to expect from Golden County Foods."

To equip the company for new levels of growth and innovation, veteran executives from companies such as Frito-Lay, Con Agra, Dean Foods, Rich Products Corporation, McCain Foods, Anchor Foods and Dairy Farmers of America were hired to compliment the already strong leadership team. Golden County Foods CEO Ray Booth, a 25 year veteran of the frozen foods industry, married a disciplined innovation process targeting big ideas with proactive supply chain planning to allow the business to take on three times more projects than ever before.

Together, the new team enabled Golden County Foods to score in the industry's top ten percent in the 2008 Cook & Thurber Independent food safety audit, with 96.8 and 96.5. To maintain its stringent food safety standards, the company houses a U.S.D.A. inspector's office on-site and undergoes regular audits by customer representatives and inspectors. Each Golden County employee is trained to apply the principals of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) to further ensure the strictest safety standards of all products produced in the company's facilities.

About Golden County Foods, Inc.
Since its inception in 1991, Plover, Wis.-based Golden County Foods, Inc. is committed to delivering value to its customers, developing quality business relationships and fostering a positive environment for its workforce. A worldwide leader in filled potato skins, Golden County Foods is a leader in innovation and preparation of potatoes, vegetable, meat, cheese and other foods for retail, food service industries and private label. The company's accounts include some of the largest and most sophisticated food companies and brand names in North America and Europe. For more information visit http://www.goldencountyfoods.com.

About Wholesome Holdings Group, LLC
Since 2006, Wholesome Holdings Group, LLC together with partner Brazos Private Equity Partners has been one of the most active middle market acquirers in the food sector. Founded by veteran CEO Terry O'Brien, the Wholesome Holdings Group family of companies includes Sadler's Smokehouse, Golden County Foods, Impact Confections and Melster Candies. Mr. O'Brien serves as Chairman of Impact Confections, Inc., Sadler's Smokehouse, Ltd and Golden County Foods, Inc. For more information visit http://www.wholesomeholdings.com.

About Brazos Private Equity Partners, LLC
Brazos Private Equity Partners, LLC, is a Dallas-based private investment firm that specializes in leveraged acquisitions and recapitalizations of established, profitable companies with strong and proven management teams, predictable cash flows and significant growth potential. Brazos partners with management teams to invest in consumer, distribution, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing and media businesses. Since inception, Brazos has completed more than forty acquisitions representing in excess of $1.5 billion in value. For additional information about Brazos, please visit the firm's website at http://www.brazosinv.com.

Media Contacts:
Rebecca Bowers or Lauren Jones-McClain
(214) 379-7000
rebecca@spmcommunications.com
lauren@spmcommunications.com

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