Latest news with #CertifiedAngusBeef
ABC News
17-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Quality standards and science credited with the continued rise of Angus cattle
Angus beef may dominate dinner plates today, but almost 50 years ago one of the world's most recognised cattle brands was a breed on the brink. Fearing inconsistent quality was behind declining consumer demand, a group of ranchers roped in a meat scientist from Ohio State University to develop quality standards to make steak great again. Today, it's estimated 52 per cent of Australia's cattle herd has some Angus genetic influence, made possible by generations of precision breeding focused on consumer satisfaction. And while the breeders don't claim it is perfect, the rise to dominance alongside premium brands like Wagyu raises the question — could it be? The foresight to create Certified Angus Beef (CAB) in 1978 has been credited with the breed enjoying name recognition many would envy. President John Stika said it pushed the industry to focus on producing consistency consumers could rely on. Mr Stika said they focused on one of the strengths of the Angus breed — producing a well-marbled high-quality product. Carcasses must meet 10 standards to qualify as Certified Angus Beef, which is then labelled and tracked through merchandising chains to retail stores and restaurants in 50 countries. "A high level of marbling to ensure the flavour, tenderness and juiciness has been one of the key points of differentiation for our brand since day one," Mr Stika said. It was not just in America. In 2023, research commissioned by industry group Angus Australia estimated that over the course of a decade, beef operations that added Angus genetics boosted their profits by a minimum of $116,000. Chief operating officer Carel Teseling said contemporary research on genetic selection to strengthen eating quality looked at four traits, including one called "shear force". "That gives you an idea of how much force you need to put on it to chew it and it gives you an indication of the tenderness of the beef." But before Angus can claim total market dominance, it has to outperform the world's most popular breed, brahman. Preferred in climates like India and Northern Australia, the breed is heat tolerant and tick resistant. But Mr Teseling said scientists were investigating a gene mutation that caused animals to have shorter, "slicker" hair that helped them cope with the heat. "That slick gene is very, very beneficial," he said. Along with consistent eating quality and good marketing, Professor Alison Van Eenennaam from the University of California said future beef breeds needed to be adaptable and sustainable, right down to their DNA. "We lose about 20 per cent of animal protein globally to disease," she said. "If we could go in and tweak the genome to make animals that are no longer susceptible — that to me is a good way to address a disease problem." She said gene-editing tools like CRISPR could guarantee a specific genetic mutation, like the "slick" gene, and countries like Argentina and Brazil were already adopting it. "Our major beef competitors are likely to be able to use this technology ... to produce, for example, disease-resistant cattle." Sinclair Munro's family has bred Angus cattle since 1926 and he's the third generation to chair Angus Australia. Whether it's new methods or old, he has his eye firmly on sustaining future demand. "We have got to keep moving and making continuing improvements," he said. "There's nothing sustainable about beef production when no one likes your beef. His US counterpart, American Angus Association chief executive Mark McCully, agrees. With his country's cattle herd decimated by drought, he said it was more important than ever to focus on quality over quantity. "We've not begun to rebuild our cow herd ... I don't suspect we'll rebuild back to where we were five and 10 years ago," he said. It may not be perfect, but he said it would "keep cattlemen in business and keep consumers coming back".
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Burger Chain Mooyah Opening New Location on May 30
It's certainly cause for celebration when a restaurant chain that's loved by the community is able to expand, especially with so many restaurant chains closing and even filing for bankruptcy. Plus, there's something special about seeing a brand thrive to the point where it can expand into different areas. Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes debuted in 2007 in Plano, Texas, and has grown to the point where the chain has more than 100 locations in multiple states and countries. Mooyah prides itself on "never-frozen beef, hand-cut fries, real ice cream shakes, and other delicious nouns preceded by quality-assuring adjectives," according to the company. Now, Mooyah is growing. The company announced the grand opening of a new location in Livermore, CA, on May 30, with a soft opening on May 19. According to a release, the Livermore location is the second Mooyah location in the Bay Area. Local resident Rikin Lakhani and his partners Ankit Patel, Sameet Patel and Shailain Patel will head its operations up. "After opening our first Mooyah in Walnut Creek, we saw firsthand how much guests love the brand — from the quality of the food to the overall experience," Lakhani, owner of the Walnut Creek and Livermore locations, said in a statement. "Everything from the Certified Angus Beef to the fresh-baked buns and hand-cut fries sets Mooyah apart," he added, noting that "flexibility" of the menu at Mooyah and its "focus on customization really let guests make each meal their own." Gary Lisenbee, VP of development and operations services, added, "We're excited to continue growing Mooya in the Bay Area with Rikin Lakhani and his partners at the helm. Rikin has already proven to be an outstanding operator with our Walnut Creek location, and his dedication to delivering a top-tier guest experience makes him a perfect fit to lead the charge in Livermore."
Associated Press
04-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Quirch Foods Expands Cold Storage Capacity with Additional Space in Opa-Locka, FL
Quirch Foods, LLC, a portfolio company of affiliates of Palladium Equity Partners, LLC ('Palladium') today announced its expansion to its distribution network with the addition of a 146,000-square-foot dry, chilled, and frozen warehouse located at 12345 N.W. 38th Avenue, Opa-Locka, FL 33054. With this addition, Quirch now operates 23 distribution centers throughout North America and the Caribbean. Founded in 1967, Quirch Foods is a leading food distribution company serving major and independent retailers, foodservice providers, cruise lines, and the hospitality industry throughout the United States, the Caribbean, and Central and South America, with expansion plans for Europe and the Middle East. Quirch owns and distributes a portfolio of proprietary brands including Panamei Seafood ®, High River Angus ®, Kikiriquirch ® poultry, and Mambo Foods ® brands and is a licensed distributor of Certified Angus Beef ®. Additionally, Quirch Foods is the exclusive distributor of Chiquita ® Brands frozen tropical fruits. 'This acquisition reinforces our commitment to supporting independent grocers and foodservice providers while expanding our ability to deliver high-quality products and tech-enabled solutions,' said Frank Grande, President and CEO of Quirch Foods. 'Increasing our cold storage capacity strengthens our supply chain and enhances service capabilities, while ensuring we remain at the forefront of the industry.' The newly acquired facility will optimize Quirch Foods' logistics operations, enabling the company to meet growing customer demand with greater efficiency and flexibility. Daniel Ilundain, President of Palladium said, 'Congratulations to Quirch Foods' CEO Frank Grande and my Palladium partner Chris Allen. This expansion into Opa-Locka marks Quirch Food's sixth acquisition since our investment in 2018, increasing refrigerated space more than 2x and frozen space more than 3x. We are proud to have helped Quirch Foods increase its distribution to service more than 40 states in the U.S.' About Quirch Foods Founded in 1967, Quirch Foods is a food distribution company serving large and independent retailers, foodservice providers, and cruise line businesses across the United States, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. With one of the most comprehensive brand portfolios for a distributor of its type and size, Quirch operates 23 distribution facilities throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, representing a combined 2.4 million square feet of refrigerated warehouse space and a fleet of more than 400 trucks. Quirch Foods ® is the exclusive distributor of Chiquita ® Brands frozen tropical fruits, Panamei Seafood ®, High River Angus ®, Kikiriquirch ® poultry, Mambo Foods®, and a licensed distributor of Certified Angus Beef ®. For more information, visit follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or call (800) 458-5252. About Palladium Equity Partners, LLC Palladium is a private equity firm with over $3 billion of assets under management. The firm invests in the middle market, focusing on companies in the U.S. Hispanic market, founder and family-owned businesses, and those with accretive M&A opportunities. The partners of the firm have significant experience in the consumer, services, industrials, and healthcare sectors. Since its founding in 1997, Palladium has invested in more than 230 businesses, including 41 platforms and over 190 add-ons. For more information, visit Jorge Roza, Director of Marketing [email protected] (305) 691-3535For Palladium Equity Partners: Jeffrey Taufield / Todd Fogarty [email protected] @ 212-521-4800 SOURCE: Quirch Foods, LLC Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 04/04/2025 07:00 AM/DISC: 04/04/2025 06:59 AM
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Quirch Foods® Expands its Footprint into Southern California
CORAL GABLES, Fla., March 25, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Quirch Foods, LLC, a portfolio company of Palladium Equity Partners, today announced the completion of a transaction under which it will begin operation of a more than 100,000 square foot food distribution facility in Los Angeles, California, expanding its national footprint to Southern California. Founded in 1967, Quirch Foods is a food distribution company serving large and independent retailers, foodservice providers, and cruise line businesses across the United States, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Quirch Foods® is the exclusive distributor of Chiquita® Brands frozen tropical fruits, Panamei Seafood®, High River Angus®, Kikiriquirch® poultry, Mambo Foods®, and a licensed distributor of Certified Angus Beef®. Frank Grande, President and CEO of Quirch Foods, said, "This transaction is an exciting development for Quirch Foods as we expand our distribution network into a large, attractive market with a diverse consumer base, including a large Hispanic demographic. With a broader distribution network and an extensive selection of high-quality products, Quirch is more prepared today than ever to meet the evolving demands of our customers. By extending the Quirch platform westward to Southern California, we are now positioned to drive greater value and build upon the strong foundation we have long established." The Company is dedicated to leveraging this expansion to build on its continued success and create new opportunities for excellence. "Together, we will enhance our service to customers and partners while fostering a culture of innovation and sustained growth," said Jonathan Leavy, Operations Manager of Quirch Foods, Southern California. Over the years, the Company has been steadily growing its national presence through a series of strategic transactions to solidify its position as an industry leader. Quirch's previous transactions include acquisitions of Colorado Boxed Beef, Butts Foods, Scariano Wholesale Foods Distribution, and Pacific Foods Distribution. Chris Allen, partner at Palladium, added, "The latest strategic expansion allows Quirch Foods to effectively serve a diverse consumer base in a large and growing market. By expanding their reach, we believe that Quirch Foods is well-equipped to meet the changing demands of their customers." Daniel Ilundain, President of Palladium commented, "This represents Quirch's fifth transaction since Palladium's investment in the Company in 2018, over which time Quirch has grown from a regional to a national food distribution company. With this transaction, Palladium's portfolio companies have acquired over 190 add-ons over its history." About Quirch Foods Founded in 1967, Quirch Foods is a food distribution company serving large and independent retailers, foodservice providers, and cruise line businesses across the United States, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. With one of the most comprehensive brand portfolios for a distributor of its type and size, Quirch operates 22 distribution facilities throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, representing a combined 2.3 million square feet of refrigerated warehouse space and a fleet of more than 400 trucks. Quirch Foods® is the exclusive distributor of Chiquita® Brands frozen tropical fruits, Panamei Seafood®, High River Angus®, Kikiriquirch® poultry, Mambo Foods®, and a licensed distributor of Certified Angus Beef®. For more information, visit follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or call (800) 458-5252. About Palladium Equity Partners, LLC Palladium is a private equity firm with over $3 billion of assets under management. The firm invests in the middle market, focusing on companies in the U.S. Hispanic market, founder and family-owned businesses, and those with accretive M&A opportunities. The partners of the firm have significant experience in the consumer, services, industrials, and healthcare sectors. Since its founding in 1997, Palladium has invested in more than 230 businesses, including 41 platforms and over 190 add-ons. For more information, visit View source version on Contacts For Quirch Foods:Jorge Roza, Director of (305) 691-3535 For Palladium Equity Partners:Jeffrey Taufield / Todd or 212-521-4800
