Products: Bernatello’s is a frozen pizza manufacturer and distributor whose brand family includes Brew Pub, Bellatoria, Real’Za, Pizza Corner, Hangry Bear, Orv’s and Roma.
Location: Headquartered in Edina, Minnesota, with a manufacturing facility in Maple Lake, Minnesota, and Wisconsin locations in Eau Claire and Kaukauna
Employees: 550 employees
Leadership: Bill Ramsay is a veteran in the food production industry and has served as president and CEO of Bernatello’s since 1984.
Market: Established as Bernie’s Pizza in 1982, the company began by making frozen pizza for the retail market. After various acquisitions of other pizza companies, the company grew quickly to stock itgs products in supermarkets across the Midwest. In 2012, Bernatello’s purchased Kaukauna-based Five Star Frozen Foods, maker of Orv’s pizza, bringing online an entirely new production facility as well as a larger direct store delivery system. Today, Bernatello’s pizza continues to be a family-owned and -operated business.
Business success: Bernatello’s is planning a $24 million expansion in Kaukauna that’s expected to create 48 jobs over the next three years. The 30-000-square-foot expansion includes a new high-speed double pizza topping line designed to increase efficiency and strengthen the company’s market position.
Wisconsin business environment benefits: As an incentive for Bernatello’s planned job creation, WEDC has authorized $350,000 in performance-based tax credits, contingent on job creation and capital investment.
“Bernatello’s is excited about the opportunity to expand our footprint and strengthen our position in the Fox Valley area,” said Ramsay. “We are committed to making Bernatello’s an employer of choice in the area. We believe our newly expanded state-of-the-art facility will not only provide us with significant operational efficiencies but also be a much more enjoyable and safe work environment.”
INsource newsletter
May 2019
