Five Star Custom Foods protein
Five Star Custom Foods specializes in cooked protein products for the food service and food processing sectors.

WICHITA, KAS. — Cargill has signed an agreement to acquire Five Star Custom Foods, Ltd., a Fort Worth, Texas-based business specializing in cooked protein products and custom prepared soups and sauces for the food service and food processing sectors. The transaction includes both of Five Star’s facilities in Fort Worth and Nashville, Tenn. Financial terms of the agreement, expected to be complete this summer, were not disclosed.

Brian Sikes, Cargill protein
Brian Sikes, corporate vice-president of Cargill’s protein businesses

“Adding Five Star Custom Foods to Cargill’s protein business will provide us with new capabilities we currently do not have, while allowing us to be more nimble in our ability to meet the ever-changing needs of our customers and consumers in today’s fast-paced marketplace,” said Brian Sikes, corporate vice-president of Cargill’s protein businesses. “We will also learn from the proven success of the Five Star Custom Foods team, which will allow us to enhance our own portfolio as we continue to grow our protein business.”

Established in 1999, Five Star Custom Foods employs 385 people. Five Star is the second Fort Worth operation Cargill has acquired in the past four years. In 2012, the company purchased a beef grind facility in the area. In March, Cargill acquired another beef processing plant in Columbia, S.C.

Jeff Bledsoe, Five Star Custom Foods
Jeff Bledsoe, president and founding partner of Five Star Custom Foods
“Cargill is a company with a rich history and reputation for producing exceptional products,” said Jeff Bledsoe, president and founding partner of Five Star Custom Foods.  “Together, we share a commitment for taking care of employees and nurturing customer relationships. As we look toward the future, we are excited by Cargill’s commitment to excellence and long-term profitable growth.  We truly believe this to be a ‘winning’ scenario for everyone involved.”