ConAgra Foods has said a US$100m investment in expanding production at its manufacturing facility in Arkansas will support growth of its Bertolli and PF Chang’s brands.

The company announced earlier this week (24 September) that it will increase production capacity at the plant in Russellville in order to manufacture the Bertolli and PF Chang’s brands, which it acquired from Unilever earlier this year. The move will create more than 80 jobs, ConAgra said.

A spokesperson for ConAgra told just-food the transition of Bertolli and PF Chang’s production to the facility was part of the group’s $265m acquisition of the brands from Unilever. The deal did not include the manufacturing facility in Owensboro in Kentucky, where Unilever produced the Bertolli and PF Chang’s frozen meals.

The investment in the Russellville facility will therefore underpin ConAgra’s plans to grow the brands. “We intend to grow these brands through our extensive frozen food expertise and innovation capabilities,” the spokesperson said.