The familiar admonition is, “Don’t count your chickens until they’re hatched.” Yet the close of Tyson Foods’ fiscal 2007 year gave President and Chief Executive Officer Dick Bond reason to pause and count his company’s blessings.

Like other food processors, McCain Foods USA, Lisle, Ill., has been somewhat weighed down by increased ingredient and energy costs.

Its slogan is “Good Food, Good Life.” But that’s just being modest. Nestlé S.A., Vevey, Switzerland, turned in a great 2007 performance.

R&FF provides its annual listing of the leading retail and foodservice processors in each of six industry segments. Coverage includes “Year in Review” highlights with segment-leading companies.