UPDATED: Ready Pac CEO leaves to head Borden Dairy

(UPDATED 1:45 p.m.) Ready Pac Foods CEO Tony Sarsam, credited with bringing the company out of financial distress, is now CEO of the Borden Dairy Co.

Sarsam joined Ready Pac in the fall of 2013, quickly focusing on innovation in packaging and salads. Before Ready Pac, he was at Nestle in several roles, including president of Nestle Direct Store Delivery, which he started for the company in 2010. Before that, he was at PepsiCo for 20 years in the Frito-Lay division, in a number of management roles.

In 2017, French vegetable company Bonduelle acquired Ready Pac, after Sarsam noted the company was looking for a buyer.

Ready Pac Foods spokesman Alan Hilowitz said the company has started a search for Sarsam’s successor.

“We’re not sure how long it’s going to take, but we want to make sure we have the right fit for the role,” Hilowitz said.

Ready Pac continues to operate as a separate business unit at Bonduelle, and has its own growth goals, but Hilowitz said the new CEO will be chosen as a fit with Ready Pac and Bonduelle.

He lauded Sarsam’s performance, and said the successor will build on his accomplishments in taking Ready Pac to the “next level.”

According to a news release on Sarsam joining Borden, under his leadership Ready Pac Foods grew by more than 60% and now has an 80% stake in the meal salad kit category.

Under his tenure, Ready Pac added to its Bistro Bowl line, including holiday-themed bowls, entered into a salad supply agreement with Domino’s Pizza, introduced the ElevAte line of organic salad bowls and launched Fresh Prep’d Soup/Wrap kits.

Borden Dairy board member Adam Kriger said Sarsam has a deep and broad experience in the food industry, and noted his “exceptional” leadership at Ready Pac.

“Tony Sarsam’s proven leadership in optimizing and innovating while supporting well-known brands makes him the ideal choice to help Borden capitalize on new opportunities while further strengthening our core business,” Borden board member Aron Schwartz said in the release.

In the release, Sarsam he is “thrilled” to be returning to Dallas, where his family previously lived for four years.