How DeIorio Foods is evolving a century of dough-making heritage into a custom manufacturing model
In a market full of commodity dough suppliers, DeIorio Foods (DeIorio) has built its business on being something else entirely: a partner, not just a producer. Based in Utica, New York, the company specializes in manufacturing frozen pizza dough products and has spent over a century perfecting dough formulations. Positioning itself as a complete solution for commercial applications, DeIorio serves multiple market sectors including pizzerias, restaurants, bakeries and cafes, schools and healthcare institutions, convenience stores, fast-casual eateries, and recreational establishments such as stadiums and theme parks.
Already a leading manufacturer in its field, DeIorio’s growing focus on proprietary, custom-built products is propelling the business forward even further. Senior Vice President of Sales, John Tackabury, and Chief Financial Officer, Jackie Tinsley, sit down to tell us more about DeIorio and discuss the next chapter of its story.
“At DeIorio, we offer a full range of frozen dough solutions, including dough balls, sheeted dough, pizza shells, breadsticks, and our Better-For-You gluten-free pizza shells,” begins John, elaborating on its portfolio. “This allows us to serve virtually every market segment while providing options that meet different operational needs. If a customer is looking for greater flexibility or a more labor-friendly solution, we have dough products that can help them solve their business needs.”
While it offers a wide range of products, 80 percent of the business is tied solely to product development, which Jackie says is financially advantageous in serving a niche that commodity players cannot: “Customers who want to keep their own custom formula but need it delivered at scale, with consistency, and without the labor burden of doing it in-house.” She explains that DeIorio can charge a premium over commodity dough. “We’re not just supplying product – we’re acting as a culinary partner, and our customers find that partnership is worth paying for.”
From a financial perspective, the firm balances investment in innovation and infrastructure while remaining privately held and backed by a private equity partner – a structure that allows DeIorio to take a thoughtful, long-term approach to investment. “We start by asking what our customers require from us, now and as they grow,” continues Jackie. “This customer focus has driven investments in new production capacity, expanded freezer infrastructure, product development, and the modernization of our ERP platform. Ultimately, our goal is to invest ahead of customer needs so we can continue to grow alongside them and be the long-term partner they can rely on.”
With client relationships at its heart, logistics also play an integral role in DeIorio’s operations to ensure excellent customer service. For a frozen product business, distribution is critical – and this is where its agreed partnership with Silchuck Logistics comes into play. “We believe strong supply chain relationships are critical to delivering the level of quality and service our customers expect,” emphasizes John. “Our partnership with Silchuck Logistics is one of many examples of this philosophy, providing the dependable transportation and collaboration that help us operate efficiently and support our continued growth.”
Collaborative concepts
DeIorio’s growth is illustrated by the recent expansion of its holding freezer capacity and the addition of a new production line, all of which the company has invested in over the past year. “The freezer expansion allows us to consolidate our storage on-site, eliminating the freight and labor cost of transferring product and putting more of our inventory under our direct control,” explains Jackie. With a brand-new line significantly expanding DeIorio’s capacity, it means the business can serve existing customers more efficiently, bring on new customers more easily, and drive cost savings as it scales. This facility upgrade comes at a time when customer demand is shifting – particularly around better-for-you products – and custom products are becoming more sought after.
“Many customers are transitioning from traditional dough balls to more labor-friendly solutions, such as sheeted dough or par-baked pizza shells,” notes John. “In the better-for-you category, we’ve seen demand for cauliflower pizza shells level off, leading customers to seek new and innovative alternatives. To meet that demand, we’ve expanded our portfolio to include options such as sweet potato and red lentil pizza shells.” He also highlights the increasing importance of custom and proprietary products, as customers look to differentiate themselves in a competitive market. “A lot of customers will approach us with their ideas, concepts, or recipes – we then work collaboratively to develop a unique product or flavor profile that meets their vision in a reasonably fast time.”
“Everything comes back to the customer,” adds Jackie. “They want a custom product delivered consistently, at a cost that works for them, without having to build that capability themselves. For many of our customers, their pizza is what they’re known for – it’s their recipe, and that is what makes them special, so we enable them to keep using it. That’s the differentiator: we manage these relationships as long-term partnerships, not just transactions. We simply love helping our clients to execute their recipe, solve their problems and bring their ideas to life.”
Creating first-rate customer visions remains a priority for DeIorio as it continues to grow, while remaining true to the core values that have been a guide throughout its history. “We are proud to represent a 100-year-old business that has become a cornerstone of our community and a source of livelihood for so many families,” reflects John. “We are excited about the next chapter and confident that, with the talented team we have in place, we are well positioned for long-term success.”
“The outlook is bright,” Jackie concludes. “We’re expanding capacity and capabilities, welcoming new customers, strengthening existing relationships, and developing on-trend menu innovation. We’re going to keep investing – in both the business and in our partnerships – as we head excitedly into the next phase of our growth.”
