ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Holly Poultry recently announced the opening of a new 80,000-square-foot production facility in Anne Arundel County, Md., a retail operation driven by growth across its Easy Street and One Fine Chicken brands and expanding private-label business.
The investment significantly expands Holly Poultry’s retail production capacity, giving the company room to support existing customers, expand distribution, pursue new retail partners, and continue developing new products and flavors, Holly Poultry said in a statement.
This new facility is another example of Holly Poultry’s growing presence in the fresh poultry case. Its Easy Street brand takes all of the work and confusion out of fresh chicken.
No Antibiotics Ever fresh chicken thighs come pre-diced and dry-seasoned in flavors including Korean BBQ, Street Taco, Peruvian, Shawarma and Chili Crisp, going from fridge to plate in about seven minutes, Holly Poultry noted.
The One Fine Chicken brand brings that same No Antibiotics Ever flavor to customers at prices below traditional national brands, staying committed to its promise of “Better Chicken for Everyone.”
Holly Poultry’s growing private-label business extends its retail capabilities further, developing and producing fresh poultry products for retail partners under their own brands, the company added.
“We saw an opportunity to bring more to the fresh chicken case, and the response from retailers and consumers has reinforced that,” Zach Fine, Holly Poultry CEO, said. “This facility is a major investment in that opportunity. It gives us the capacity to serve the customers choosing our products today while creating room to expand into new retailers, build new private-label partnerships, and keep pushing what fresh poultry can be.”
This expansion is not only significant for the company but also for the community it has been growing in. The new facility is expected to create 140 jobs and establish a dedicated production platform for Holly Poultry’s retail business, the company noted.
The additional space will give the company the ability to take care of customer needs more efficiently while continuing to support innovation across its products.
“Holly has been building its business in Maryland for generations, and as we enter this next phase, it was important to us to continue building it here,” Fine added. “We’re creating new jobs, investing in our people, and bringing the experience we’ve built serving foodservice customers to grocery through private-label programs and our consumer brands One Fine Chicken and Easy Street.”
“Maryland is the best place for businesses to expand and thrive, and we are proud to continue our partnership with Holly Poultry as they support our state’s world-class food industry,” Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said in a statement. “As we build a dynamic economy and pave pathways to work, wages and wealth, our administration is dedicated to supporting businesses like Holly Poultry and creating opportunities for Maryland communities to thrive.”
To assist with project costs, Holly Poultry is eligible for a $750,000 conditional loan and a $50,000 grant available through programs administered by the Maryland Department of Commerce, and another $75,000 conditional loan from the Anne Arundel County Economic Development Corporation, according to the Office of the Governor.
Various state officials extended a warm welcome to Holly Poultry’s and expressed their genuine excitement for the continued partnership between the company and the state of Maryland.
“We’re proud to welcome Holly Poultry’s expansion to Anne Arundel County,” Amy Gowan, president and CEO of the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation, said. “This investment strengthens our local manufacturing economy, creates meaningful job opportunities and reinforces the region’s role in the continued growth of Maryland’s food industry.”
“Holly Poultry’s expansion into Anne Arundel County showcases the success of a family-owned business that has served Maryland for decades,” Maryland Department of Commerce Secretary Harry Coker Jr. said. “This investment creates new opportunities for our local workforce and supports the company’s continued growth throughout the Mid Atlantic. Maryland is looking forward to growing its partnership with Holly Poultry as it expands operations in the state.”
“Anne Arundel County welcomes Holly Poultry to our thriving local economy,” Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman said. “They are a proven company that provides essential processing of agricultural products that our farmers produce and our consumers need. We look forward to supporting Holly Poultry’s growth.”
Holly Poultry has served the foodservice community for more than 30 years. This new facility builds on that experience while giving the company a platform dedicated to the needs and growth of its retail customers.
