Ruiz Foods' Florence County, South Carolina production facility via scpowerteam.com

Ruiz Food Products, Inc., the Valley-based leader in frozen Mexican food and snack products, is investing $79 million in its existing operations in South Carolina.

The company will be adding a new production line to the manufacturing facility, with plans for two more lines within the next seven years. This will result in employment additional of more than 700 people, adding to the 3,500 working in the company’s operations in Dinuba, Texas, and South Carolina.

“We’re delighted that Ruiz Food Products has chosen to expand and grow their operations,” said Kent Caudle, council chairman of Florence County where the South Carolina plant is located.

Since the company began in Tulare in 1964, it has grown to become one of the most successful food producers in the country. Its El Monterey brand is the nation’s top-selling producer of frozen Mexican food.

“The growing demand of our products requires we increase capacity,” said Ruiz Food President and CEO Rachel P. Cullen.