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Naturally Fresh, Inc.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Naturally Fresh, Inc.
Company typePrivate
IndustryFood Manufacture
FoundedAtlanta, Georgia, U.S. (1966)
HeadquartersAtlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Number of locations
1 manufacturing plant and 22 distribution facilities
Key people
W. Spence Richardson, Plant Manager
Steve Loftus, General Manager
Michael (Mike) White, SVP, Sales and Marketing
ProductsDips, Marinades, Salad Dressings, Syrups and Sauces
ParentTreeHouse Foods
Websitehttp://www.naturallyfresh.com/

Naturally Fresh, Inc. is a producer of dressings, sauces, marinades, dips, oils, and vinegar.[1] The company also manufactures dressings, sauces and dips for a number of different restaurants and institutions, including Hooters. It is currently one of the largest manufacturers of sauces and salad dressings in the United States.[citation needed]

History

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Naturally Fresh was founded in 1966 as Eastern Foods by Robert H. Brooks, the founder of Hooters of America, to sell non-dairy creamer to the airline industry. In 1980, Eastern Foods launched the Naturally Fresh brand and in 2002 the company name was changed to reflect the brand.[citation needed]

In 2003, Robert retired and named his son Coby G. Brooks President and CEO. After Robert's death in 2006, Coby gained a controlling, but not majority, interest in Hooters and Naturally Fresh, Inc. This left him embroiled in a dispute with his father's widow Tami over distribution of the father's estate as Robert left in his will 30% of his estate to Coby, 30% to his underage daughter Boni Bell, 10% to Clemson University, and 30% to other family members. Tami was bequeathed $1 million per year for 20 years. However she sued the estate for the ⅓ share of the estate that would be due her under South Carolina's elective share law. In 2009 Coby and Tami settled for an undisclosed amount, but that settlement has forced Coby to seek outside investors.[2][3][4]

Naturally Fresh was purchased in 2012 by TreeHouse Foods.[5][6]

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On February 14, 2010 Coby appeared on an episode of the CBS reality TV show Undercover Boss. On Day 5 he worked in the Naturally Fresh factory in Atlanta where he was told point blank by one of the employees that the company had gone downhill since his father died.

References

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  1. ^ "Naturally Fresh Foods Inc - Company Profile and News - Bloomberg Markets". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
  2. ^ Lisa Shidler (2007-08-13). "Hooters CEO's heir challenges widow's bid for elective share". Investment News.
  3. ^ Bruce Watson (2010-02-11). "Hardship at Hooters: Family Feud Drives CEO to Seek Investment Partners".
  4. ^ David Wren. "S.C. law challenged in fight for Hooters riches". Myrtle Beach Sun-Times. Archived from the original on 2009-08-07.
  5. ^ "About Us". Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  6. ^ "TreeHouse Foods to buy Atlanta food company". www.bizjournals.com. 2012-03-20. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
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