From garage to 130,000-square-foot facility
FGP Holding, Mobile, Ala., the company behind Frios Gourmet Pops and FGP Manufacturing, which includes the production of private brand frozen novelty products, is underway on a major expansion.
Frios Gourmet Pops began in a garage in Gadsden, Ala., in 2015, growing to become a franchise, branded treats company, with a fleet of trucks bringing the frozen novelties out to consumers. In 2018, Cliff Kennedy, a Mobile native, purchased the company and is now helping to shepherd an expansion from a 30,000-square-foot facility in Mobile to 130,000 square feet.
The facility expansion is part of a $20 million capital investment that will help create approximately 200 full-time jobs over the next three years.
Kennedy told Store Brands in an interview that the company is building out a state-of-the-art facility that will fill the capacity void the frozen novelty private label and co-manufacturing industry face.
"With a capacity of over 500 million units between stick, sandwich and cone products, FGP is well-positioned in the Southeast to bring transformative growth to our industry, and we are excited about the relationships we are building with retailers and CPG brands and filling their capacity needs," he told Store Brands. "This expansion solves a massive capacity shortage that CPG brands and national retailers have for their frozen novelties. The frozen novelty category will outpace ice cream soon, and the limiting factor to their growth is the availability of capacity to produce more. We will be able to fill their capacity needs with our investment and expansion."
FGP is a manufacturer of private label and co-packed frozen novelties for national brands and retailers, developing stick products, cones and sandwiches for companies that are looking to outsource their manufacturing. The Frios Gourmet Pops side of the company is a mobile franchise company that sells gourmet popsicles from tie-dye wrapped vans. It currently has over 50 locations across the country, and it is expected to have over 100 by the end of 2022.
“Mobile is the perfect place to grow our dream of being a dynamic player in the frozen novelty industry. Through the economic support and strategic location of our city, I feel lucky to be able to make this dream a reality in my hometown. I am excited for the future and the possibilities that lie ahead,” said Kennedy.
Ice cream has been a major innovator within private label sweets, with retailers launching many exclusive and creative flavors under their own brands.
For the facility expansion, Kennedy has tapped Jeff Carter as president of FGP Manufacturing to oversee all operations and the expansion. “We are undergoing transformational change and growth, and I know that Jeff is the right person for this position, and I am excited to watch what I know he is capable of doing with FGP.”
“Our industry is ripe for innovation in process, products, and efficiency and I eagerly anticipate the challenge of assembling the best team in the industry,” said Carter.
Frios, represented by JMG Realty, is leasing the 3107 Halls Mill Road property from Merchants Transfer Company of Mobile, represented by Guy Oswalt and Allen Garstecki of Jones Lang Lasalle.
“We are thrilled to support the expansion of FGP, which will add 200 new jobs and continue to set this locally headquartered company up for future success and expansion,” said Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson. “Today’s announcement highlights why the City of Mobile is a great place for entrepreneurs to start and grow their business. Congratulations to Cliff Kennedy and the entire FGP team."