Tyson Foods Inc. announced Monday it has acquired Warren-based Bosco’s Pizza Co., which produces a variety of frozen pizzas and stuffed breadsticks, including “The Original Bosco Stick.” While the 150-employee company will become part of Tyson Foods’ Prepared Foods division, it will continue to operate under its original name.
“This is a great opportunity for the Bosco’s brand,” says Craig Mulhinch, vice president of Bosco’s sales and marketing. “We’ve put a lot of effort into creating high-quality products and Tyson Foods has recognized that. This deal will allow us to accelerate our growth while we continue to focus on the fundamentals of making excellent artisan bread products.”
Entrepreneur Mark Artinian — who will remain with the business in an advisory role — created Bosco’s as a carry-out pizzeria in 1988 before he started delivering frozen pizzas to area high schools. In 1995, the company started producing frozen stuffed crust pizza, which soon led to stuffed bread sticks, the company’s chief product line today.
“The Bosco’s team built the business the right way,” says Michael Turley, vice president of food service and government sales for Springdale, Ark.-based Tyson Foods, the largest supplier of pepperoni and pizza toppings to the food service industry. “Those who know the Bosco’s brand are more than customers — they’re fans. The brand has a large regional following including those who remember eating Bosco Sticks at school.”
Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
