Video: Raybern’s Foods Bringing 200 Jobs To Area With Relocation Of Headquarters

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SHANNON, MISS. (WCBI) – A company billing itself as the inventor of the frozen deli sandwich is moving its operations to Northeast Mississippi.  WCBI’s Allie Martin tells us more about the company and how it is bringing a once thriving industrial building back to life, while bringing hundreds of jobs to the area.

While crews were working on the old Sara Lee Building , executives with Raybern Foods were heating sandwiches for the media and other guests.

The number one Philly Cheesesteak sandwich maker in the United States has outgrown its facilities in California, so about a year ago, company officials began looking for a new location.

“We went around the coutnry looking for a new facility and really, looking for very specialized facility like this one, it’s hard to find, it’s almost like finding a needle in a haystack,” said Matt Amigh, Chief Operating Officer for the sandwich maker.

Raybern Foods is investing about $10 million  to retrofit the old Sara Lee Building, adding walls, freezers and bringing in its own equipment.

The company is looking for 200 workers to handcraft the sandwiches, bake the bread and keep the machinery running.

Raybern products are sold in major chains such as Wal Mart, Costco and Sam’s.

Community Development Foundation President David Rumbarger says it’s exciting to see a well established company bring new life to the old Sara Lee Building.

“It is a unique food service facility, it’s small enough and actually that was a deterrent for Sara Lee, but it was a benefit for Raybern’s because they could grow into it,” Rumbarger said.

The hiring process has begun and company officials say training and production should be underway by July.

Applications are being taken through WIN job centers.