Florida-based Peterson Brands, formerly operating as King Brands, has filed a WARN notice. The company plans to close its Fort Myers facility, resulting in permanent layoffs.
Peterson Brands to Close Fort Myers Facility
Peterson Brands filed a notice under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act on April 27. According to the filing, the facility at 9910 Bavaria Rd in Fort Myers, Florida, will be shut down.
As a result, 135 employees at the facility will be affected. The company has notified all affected employees of the layoff scheduled for June 27, 2026. The filing lists affected positions but does not provide a reason for the closure.
Affected positions include, Maintenance Manager, Machine Operator, Logistics Specialist, Batch Maker, Accounting Clerk, Maintenance Technician, Warehouse Attendant, Food Safety Quality Clerk, Food Safety Quality Technician, Housekeeper Human Resources Generalist, Inventory Coordinator, Food Safety Quality Lead, Operations Support Clerk, Warehouse Manager, Sanitor, Shipping and Receiving Team Lead, Team Lead, Palletizer, Production Manager, Production Scheduler/Warehouse, Manager, Production Supervisor, Quality Assurance Manager, Quality Control Supervisor, Quality Control Technician, and Receiving Supervisor.
About Peterson Brands
Peterson Brands supplies shelf-stable fruit juices. The ready-to-drink products do not need refrigeration or freezing, which is beneficial for large-scale foodservice operations.
The company markets its products under the HC Plus brand. The products are packaged aseptically, most commonly in one-liter boxes, cups, or pouches. The packaging ensures freshness and a shelf life of 9 to 12 months.
The products feature resealable lids, easy-pour spouts, and clearly labeled use-by dates, making them suitable for bulk use. HC Plus drinks also contain 100% of the daily recommended value of Vitamin C per serving and are widely used across health care, schools, the military, airlines, cruises, and restaurants.
Peterson Brands is part of the Peterson Farms Family of Companies, a long-standing food manufacturing company based in Shelby, Michigan.
The organization specializes in fruit processing and related services, including individual quick-frozen (IQF) fruits, fresh apple processing, juices, applesauce, and controlled-atmosphere storage. It also operates one of the largest freezer storage facilities in the Midwest, facilitating national distribution.
Peterson Brands previously acquired Cool Tropics, a K-12 foodservice brand known for its fruit-based beverages. This acquisition enhances Peterson Brands’ position in the school and foodservice market.
The impending closure of the Fort Myers plant and job losses are expected to have a profound effect on workers and the community. WARN notices are required to provide advance notice of mass layoffs or closures.
