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Turkey Hill Buys Yarnell Production Facility in Searcy

2 min read

Ice cream and drink manufacturer Turkey Hill LLC of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, said Wednesday it acquired an ice cream and novelty production facility in Searcy from Yarnell Ice Cream LLC, a subsidiary of Schulze & Burch Biscuit Co.

The 100,000-SF plant makes ice cream and frozen novelty products in various sizes and formats. Turkey Hill said buying the facility expands its production capacity, capabilities and geographic reach.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

As part of the deal, Turkey Hill has signed a co-manufacturing agreement with Schulze & Burch to make ice cream for the Yarnell’s brand.

Schulze & Burch will retain the Yarnell’s and Guilt Free brands, which include top-selling homemade vanilla. “This was a win-win for all parties,” Kevin M. Boyle, CEO of Schulze and Burch, said in a news release.

“Our Yarnell’s brands, which were not included in the sale, will continue to be produced in the same plant they have been in for almost 90 years,” he said, adding that Turkey Hill is getting a state-of-the-art plant with a team of highly experienced ice cream makers.

“The addition of this facility in Arkansas highlights the company’s commitment to geographic expansion,” Turkey Hill CEO Tim Hopkins said in a news release. “Over the last year, Turkey Hill has experienced strong and growing consumer demand nationwide, and the strategic location of this facility will enable us to serve consumers across the United States for years to come. We look forward to welcoming the employees at the Searcy facility to our Turkey Hill family.”

Turkey Hill was founded in 1931 and makes branded ice cream and refrigerated drinks for retail, foodservice and other channels.

Schulze & Burch of Chicago bought Yarnell’s assets for $1.34 million in 2012 after the ice cream-maker filed for bankruptcy the previous year. It was the Chicago company’s first entry into the ice cream market.

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