Muenster Milling Co. announced on March 14 the completion of its new 120,000-square-foot freeze-drying facility in Denton.
The extruded and freeze-dried pet food manufacturer said the facility includes raw meat processing capabilities that can produce a variety of protein blends and nutritional profiles, according to a press release.
The vertically integrated facility features state-of-the-art freeze drying, which enables the company to “process and form several proteins in a variety of shapes and sizes,” including freeze-dried meals, treats and toppers, and single-ingredient treats.
The company is also able to offer its customers a variety of “kill step” options, referring to the process of reducing and eliminating harmful pathogens from food.
Jim Holdrieth, who took over as president and CEO of Muenster Milling in November of 2023, said, “Freeze dried is a versatile product format that can be a meal, functional treat, inclusion, or topper, and it remains one of the fastest growing categories within pet food, experiencing double-digit volume growth and $1 billion of sales in 2023.
“Many brands are increasingly looking to enter or grow within the category, and they require sophisticated manufacturing partners to help them do so. This new facility has all the capabilities under one roof that brands and retailers need to bring their innovation pipelines to life.”
The new facility has automated mixing and blending equipment capable of producing “Kibble Plus” and “Freeze Dried Plus” products, “which pair one or multiple different freeze-dried proteins with kibble and freeze-dried vegetables.”
The company gained social media attention three years ago after the owner, Mitch Felderhoff, ate only Muenster dog food for 30 days.
“No other pet food manufacturer can say that. So you can be confident in knowing we’re committed to the health of your animals – to your family. Because we won’t feed your dog anything unless we’ve eaten it ourselves,” the Muenster website reads, cautioning that its products are only intended for dogs and do not meet the definition of “human grade.”
Muenster was acquired by Kainos Capital, a Dallas-based private equity firm, back in 2021, according to The Dallas Morning News.
Founded in 1932, Muenster Milling produces for leading brands and retailers under contract manufacturing and private labels.
The new facility is located at 2269 N. Masch Branch Rd.