The Fillo Factory acquires fellow frozen food producer GeeFree Foods

Two New Jersey-based frozen foods producers — both suppliers of private label products to national and regional grocers and discounters — are joining forces.

The Fillo Factory, a producer of small bites, snacks, entrees and desserts, has acquired GeeFree Foods, a producer of gluten-free puff pastry sheets. The Fillo Factory has been GeeFree’s co-packer since the company began seven years ago. 

With more than 10 gluten-free products, GeeFree items expanded over time, including bagel puffs, franks-in-a-blanket and more.

In 2017, GeeFree partnered with Procida Funding for its investment experience, helping the producer penetrate nearly 5,000 retail outlets nationwide.

The Fillo Factory has been operating for nearly 30 years and is a leader in frozen foods, producing items with organic ingredients whenever possible. 

Ron Rexroth, CEO and founder of The Fillo Factory, grew up in a Fillo-producing family business and followed into his family’s footsteps; however, over time, new brands emerged from the company (Aunt Trudy’s and Appetizers to Go), as well as acquisitions (Hors D’oeuvres Unlimited and Cuisine Innovations Unlimited).

The Fillo Factory produces products from a 120,000-square-foot factory in Northvale, N.J., and a 25,000-sq.-ft. facility in Lakewood, N.J. 

With the acquisition of GeeFree, the company plans to grow the GeeFree brand by expanding its sales and brokerage team, creating more distribution channels, doubling down on social media efforts, and growing its product line. Procida Funding will still be supporting the brand as ambassadors for the company as well.

“We are delighted with the acquisition,” said Procida Funding CEO Billy Procida. “They are a great family-owned company with full manufacturing capability and the only company in the country who knows how to handle making our delicious GeeFree gluten-free pastry sheets and other products. We are excited to see what the future holds for GeeFree as the possibilities are endless with a leading food manufacturer such as The Fillo Factory. GeeFree has been recognized as a gluten-free food innovator and now with a premier innovating manufacturer; there is no doubt that the GeeFree brand will leap to new heights."