Tyson Foods, Inc., Springdale, Ark., completed the acquisition of Original Philly Holdings, Inc., a Philadelphia, Pa.-based producer of raw and fully-cooked Philly-style sandwich steak and cheesesteak appetizer products.

“Original Philly Holdings is a natural, strategic fit with our prepared foods business,” says Sally Grimes, group president, Tyson Foods Prepared Foods. “The Original Philly brand and portfolio of products are highly regarded in the foodservice industry, and have a growing list of customer relationships with chain and convenience store operators." 

Original Philly Holdings consists of two business units—Original Philly Cheesesteak Co., which manufactures raw Philly-style sandwich steak products, and Philadelphia Pre-Cooked Steak Co., which manufactures fully-cooked Philly-style sandwich steak products—for foodservice, retail and convenience store providers. The company, which employs approximately 250 people, operates two plants in Philadelphia.

“We look forward to combining our commercial and operational resources with Original Philly Holdings’ capabilities to offer new solutions to customers and consumers, expand distribution and continue the growth and legacy of the business,” Grimes says.

“We’re excited to be part of the Tyson Foods family, which will allow us to build on the legacy of our business,” says John Karamatsoukas, president and CEO of Original Philly Holdings. “Tyson Foods is a leader in the food industry, and has a strong reputation for successfully acquiring and growing family-owned businesses like ours. With deep appreciation for our customers, employees and vendors’ contributions to Original Philly’s success, I remain confident that Tyson Foods will honor and operate the business in a manner consistent with the values we embrace.”