California meat producer to close facility, laying off 124 workers next month

Another California food manufacturer is shutting down operations, adding to a growing list of companies restructuring amid economic pressures. Pocino Foods Company will permanently close its City of Industry facility, a move that will result in 124 employees losing their jobs later this summer.

About Pocino Foods

Founded in 1933, Pocino Foods is a California-based manufacturer of specialty pre-cooked meats serving retail, foodservice and wholesale customers. The family-owned company produces a wide range of products, including meatballs, pastrami, roast beef, carnitas, deli meats, pizza toppings and ready-to-eat entrées, while also manufacturing private-label products for other food companies. Its brands include Smoke Bar Ranch, Que Rico!, Hanazen and Xasian Kitchen. 

Plant closure scheduled for late August

According to a WARN notice filed with the California Employment Development Department, Pocino Foods plans to permanently close its facility at 14250 Lomitas Avenue in the City of Industry. The layoffs are scheduled to take effect on August 26, affecting 124 workers.

The announcement has also drawn legal attention. A law firm has launched an investigation into whether the company fully complied with federal WARN Act notification requirements, which generally require employers to provide workers with at least 60 days’ notice before certain plant closures or mass layoffs. No findings of wrongdoing have been made, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Another blow to California’s food manufacturing sector

The closure comes as California’s food and beverage industry continues to experience consolidation, plant closures and workforce reductions. Companies across the sector have cited rising operating costs, changing market conditions and efforts to streamline operations as reasons for restructuring. 

While Pocino Foods has not publicly detailed the specific reasons behind its closure, the loss of more than 100 manufacturing jobs represents another setback for the state’s food production workforce.

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