Ex-Kraft Heinz Canada CEO to Lead Hispanic Foods Processor Flagship Food Group

Nov. 15, 2023

Adam Butler, who spent 17 years with Kraft Heinz, joins the Denver-based processor of 505 Southwestern, Young Guns and La Tortilla Factory branded Hispanic foods.

Andy Hanacek

Denver, Colo.-based Hispanic foods processor Flagship Food Group has appointed Adam Butler to the role of CEO and member of the company’s advisory board, according to a company release.

Butler joins Flagship after 17 years at Kraft Heinz, where he worked as president of several business units, including convenient meals, frozen, coffee, cold beverages and nuts. He had senior leadership over such brands as Kool-Aid, Kraft Mac & Cheese, Lunchables, Planters and Bagel Bites, among others. Most recently, Butler served as CEO of Kraft Heinz Canada.

The addition comes at a time of significant growth for Flagship, as the company has acquired five businesses and more than doubled its business in recent years, the release said. It will be up to Butler to continue the rapid growth it has been driving in such brands as 505 Southwestern jarred green chiles, Young Guns foodservice Hatch Valley green chiles, Yucatan Guacamole and La Tortilla Factory tortillas. The company operates five plants and warehouses across California, Kansas and New Mexico, and in Mexico as well.

About the Author

Andy Hanacek | Senior Editor

Andy Hanacek has covered meat, poultry, bakery and snack foods as a B2B editor for nearly 20 years, and has toured hundreds of processing plants and food companies, sharing stories of innovation and technological advancement throughout the food supply chain. In 2018, he won a Folio:Eddie Award for his unique "From the Editor's Desk" video blogs, and he has brought home additional awards from Folio and ASBPE over the years. In addition, Hanacek led the Meat Industry Hall of Fame for several years and was vice president of communications for We R Food Safety, a food safety software and consulting company.