Teasdale Latin Foods Strengthens Commitment to Plant Sustainability and Workforce Investment at Hoopeston Facility
Teasdale Latin Foods adds 32 jobs, raises wages, and invests in work-life balance at its Hoopeston plant. Share
'Our focus is on the future. Investing in people, processes, and equipment to ensure our Hoopeston plant remains a cornerstone of quality and reliability,' said Tim O'Connor, CEO. 'We're proud to build on this legacy while enhancing work-life balance for our team.'
To support long-term sustainability and employee wellbeing, as product demand and capabilities increases, our Hoopeston facility will transition from the current four-day, 12-hour shift schedule to a five-day, 8-hour shift schedule, providing greater predictability and work-life balance for employees. To support the enhanced production schedule, our Hoopeston facility will be adding up to 32 new positions, expanding job opportunities and boosting operational capacity.
Teasdale has adopted a new single-tier wage structure in the canning department, eliminating the previous 6-year progression model to ensure equity across all roles. The newly implemented contract includes year one raises ranging from 5% to 17%, with on-going hourly rates ranging from $17.45 to $34.38, depending on the role, reflecting Teasdale's ongoing investment in its workforce.
As Teasdale looks to ramp up production and continue bringing in new local talent, Tom Tripp, COO, emphasized, 'Safety, both people safety and food safety, is paramount. Every product that leaves our plant meets the highest Teasdale quality standards. Nothing substandard leaves our facility.' To maintain consistent availability of product during the training of new teams, Teasdale is also utilizing production support from its Atwater, CA canning facility.
By investing in people and operations, Teasdale ensures the long-term viability of our Hoopeston plant, supports community resilience, supports our customers, and upholds its values of transparency, integrity, and sustainability.
Teasdale Latin Foods is the leader in the manufacturing and marketing of a full line of Mexican and Latino-inspired foods. We take great care in delivering the highest quality foods that consistently help customers grow.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Insider
9 hours ago
- Business Insider
Bojangles Rolls Out Spanish AI Ordering Across All Platforms with Hi Auto
Bojangles, the beloved Southern food chain known for its flavorful menu and signature hospitality, has expanded its partnership with voice AI leader Hi Auto to introduce Spanish-language AI ordering across drive-thrus, kiosks, and its mobile app. This marks one of the first major bilingual AI rollouts by a U.S. quick-service restaurant, setting a new precedent for inclusive automation at scale. The move builds on the successful launch of Bo-Linda, Bojangles' AI-powered drive-thru assistant introduced in June 2023. Bo-Linda was created to streamline the ordering process and enhance service speed. Now, the latest upgrade brings accessibility to the forefront, offering a more personalized and intuitive experience for the rapidly growing Spanish-speaking population. Expanding Leadership in Multilingual Voice Automation With this milestone, Bojangles joins Checkers & Rally's in embracing Hi Auto's leadership in scalable, multilingual voice automation. However, Bojangles takes it a step further, rolling out Spanish-language ordering across drive-thrus, kiosks, and the mobile app in a single coordinated launch. This strategic expansion underscores a focus on reducing friction in the user experience by supporting multiple languages across key interaction points, aiming to improve accessibility and communication in users' native languages. A Win for Teams and Guests Alike According to Bojangles' Chief Information Officer Richard Del Valle, the impact of the technology has gone far beyond convenience. 'To me, the biggest thing, or the biggest surprise, has been the improvement of the employee experience,' Del Valle said. 'If we can find ways to make their lives easier, which will then translate to a superior guest experience, that's a home run for us.' By offloading complex, multilingual interactions to AI, team members are able to stay focused on their core responsibilities, such as ensuring food quality, maintaining service speed, and delivering the warmth and hospitality that defines the Bojangles brand. An Answer to Growing Economic Power According to the 2025 Latino Donor Collaborative, Latino purchasing power in the U.S. has reached a staggering $4.1 trillion. This surge places Hispanic consumers at the center of the nation's economic growth and highlights the urgency for QSR brands to offer culturally attuned and linguistically inclusive experiences. By enabling a fully bilingual ordering experience, Bojangles is taking direct action to serve this growing demographic with respect and relevance. Technology That Adapts to the Customer Hi Auto's system allows customers to switch between English and Spanish fluidly (even mid-sentence), ensuring that the ordering process remains natural and seamless. The AI boasts 96% order accuracy and nearly instant response times, creating a frictionless experience that adapts in real-time to each guest. Just as importantly, the rollout required no new hardware and minimal operational disruption. Thanks to Hi Auto's hybrid architecture and customer understanding engine, Bojangles was able to implement the new functionality efficiently and without downtime. 'To best serve our communities, restaurants need solutions that speak to all customers, and the United States is the world's second-largest Spanish-speaking country,' said Roy Baharav, CEO of Hi Auto. He adds that 'partnerships like this represent a huge breakthrough for the country's Spanish-speaking and bilingual communities.' Charting the Future of Hospitality Hi Auto currently powers nearly 1,000 drive-thru locations across the U.S., continuing to lead the charge in real-world AI deployment in the quick-service sector. Bojangles' latest rollout demonstrates that advanced technology and human-centric service don't have to be at odds. In fact, they can elevate one another. By investing in AI that empowers rather than replaces, Bojangles is showing how automation can enhance hospitality, not strip it away. It's a bold step toward a future where every guest feels heard, and every order, no matter the language, is served with ease. About Hi Auto Hi Auto is an advanced AI-powered order-taking solution designed specifically for high-volume drive-thru restaurants. Built to streamline operations, it delivers quick, accurate service with over 93% order completion and 96% accuracy consistently and at scale. Hi Auto offers centralized script management and adaptable configurations for franchise operators, helping QSR brands save between 3 to 8 labor hours per location each day. Since its founding in 2019, Hi Auto has earned the trust of top quick-service chains and is now live in nearly 1,000 drive-thru sites across the United States.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
The two ways Trump's tariffs on Canada could collapse — despite his fight to keep them
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Time's up. On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump raised the tariff rate on Canadian goods not covered under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) from 25 to 35 per cent, saying they 'have to pay a fair rate.' The White House claims it's because of Canada's failure to curb the 'ongoing flood of fentanyl and other illicit drugs.' U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data, however, show that fentanyl seizures from Canada make up less than 0.1 per cent of total U.S. seizures of the drug; most smuggling comes across the Mexican border. But the future of Trump's policy also rests on shaky ground, and the tariffs could come crashing down even if Canada can't reach a deal at some point. Imposed through a controversially declared 'national emergency' under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), the tariffs come with essentially three paths for relief to Canadian exporters and their American customers: the courts and the economy. And there's always the wildcard: that the president changes his mind. Without relying on that, National Post looks at two very possible ways out of all this: The courts: There is a big question hanging over whether Trump's tariffs are even legal under the U.S. Constitution, which gives Congress powers over trade. Trump has bypassed that by claiming he's using presidential IEEPA emergency powers. On Thursday, the Washington, D.C.-based Federal Circuit Court of Appeals convened an en banc hearing for oral arguments in challenges to Trump's use of IEEPA. The 11 judges questioned whether the law meant for sanctioning adversaries or freezing assets during emergencies grants Trump the power to impose tariffs, with one judge noting, 'IEEPA doesn't even mention the word 'tariffs.'' The White House, meanwhile, says the law grants the president 'broad and flexible' emergency powers, including the ability to regulate imports. 'Based on the tenor and questions of the arguments, it appears that the challengers have the better odds of prevailing,' Thomas Berry, the CATO Institute's director of the Robert A. Levy Center for Constitutional Studies, said in a statement. 'Several judges peppered the government's attorney with skeptical questions about why a broad term in IEEPA like 'regulate importation' should be read to allow the president to unilaterally impose tariffs.' Trump's lawyers claim his executive order provides the justifications for the tariffs — in Canada's case, fentanyl. But Berry said 'those justifications would not matter if IEEPA simply does not authorize tariffs in the first place. That is the cleanest and simplest way to resolve this case, and it appears that the Federal Circuit may be leaning toward that result.' A decision is expected this month, and if it's a resounding push back from the judges' panel, said Andrew Hale, a senior policy analyst at Heritage Foundation, the Supreme Court may not even take up the case. If so, he says, 'these Liberation Day tariffs and everything that's been imposed under emergency legislation, IEEPA, that all evaporates.' At that point, the White House would not be able to declare across-the-board tariffs against countries. Instead, it would have to rely on laws allowing tariffs to be imposed on specific products that are found to threaten U.S. national security, like those currently imposed on Canadian steel and lumber. The economy: The other path to tariff relief is through economic pressure. If Americans start to see higher prices and economic uncertainty, and push back at the ballot box — or threaten to do so — it could force Trump to reverse course. The most recent figures show that U.S. inflation, based on the Consumer Price Index, hit around 2.7 per cent in July. That's a slight rise, fuelled by rising prices for food, transportation and used cars. But it's still close to the Federal Reserve target of two per cent. U.S. unemployment rose slightly to 4.2 per cent in July, while far fewer jobs were created than expected, and consumer confidence rose two points but is still several points lower than it was in January. Overall, most economists agree that risks of a U.S. recession over the next 12 months are relatively low, but skepticism over growth remains high. 'Our outlook is for slower growth in the U.S., but no recession,' said Gus Faucher, chief economist of The PNC Financial Services Group. He notes that the 'tariffs are going to be a drag' because they are a tax increase on imports. Economists have said price inflation from tariffs is not yet being felt in the U.S. but believe it's inevitable. 'Trump's tariff madness adds a great deal to the risks of a recession,' said Steven Hanke, professor of applied economics at Johns Hopkins University who served on President Ronald Reagan's Council of Economic Advisors. 'With tariffs, Americans are going to be paying a big new beautiful sales tax on goods and services imported into the U.S., and taxes slow things down. Taxes don't stimulate.' It is surprising that higher U.S. prices haven't happened yet, said Jonathan Gruber, chairman of the economics department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. But he explained that it's likely a reflection of the duration of contracts and the fact that import sellers haven't yet put up prices — 'because they were hoping it wouldn't be real, like they'd wake up from this nightmare.' 'I think we start to see the effect on prices by the end of the year,' said Gruber. The trouble for Canada, however, is that the Canadian economy is starting from a much weaker position, with higher unemployment, lower consumer confidence, and a slowing GDP, on top of the trade tensions. So, trying to wait things out for the U.S. to feel the pinch will be even more painful for Canadians. And any American downturn will also reverberate north. 'As Uncle Sam goes, so goes Canada,' said Hanke. Gruber agrees with that, but with a caveat. 'It's all bad in the short run and good in the long run,' he says. He believes the U.S. is 'weak and getting weaker' and that Canada should start taking advantage of how the U.S. is making opportunities for other countries to invest in themselves. 'We're not investing in our future. We're killing our education. We're killing our research. We're not allowing in immigrants,' he said, explaining the weakening of the U.S. economy. 'We're basically setting the stage for long-run economic slower growth.' Meanwhile, China is doubling down on investment, research and other longer-term policies. 'Canada and other countries need to do the same,' Gruber said. And as for when a backlash could lead to a reversal in the U.S., Gruber points to two factors. 'It's got to be high inflation, and Trump's opponents need to make sure that the voters understand that's Trump's fault.' National Post tmoran@ Former U.S. ambassador on Canada negotiating with Trump: 'You may not have the best hand' Carney 'disappointed' after Trump hits Canada with higher tariffs Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our newsletters here.
Business Upturn
3 days ago
- Business Upturn
BEYOND Launches PASSO, a Sculptural Icon on Palm Jumeirah
Business Wire India BEYOND Developments, the forward-thinking real estate brand shaping lifestyle destinations by the sea, has unveiled PASSO, a sculptural waterfront development located on the prestigious West Crescent of Palm Jumeirah. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: PASSO by BEYOND, a Sculptural Icon on Palm Jumeirah. (Photo: AETOSWire) As BEYOND's first flagship beyond its masterplan in Dubai Maritime City, PASSO marks a defining milestone in the company's strategic growth to one of the world's most iconic and desirable destinations. The project launched with a spectacular Palm Jumeirah event featuring Dubai's first-ever 'screens in the sky' show, a 13-minute performance with over 4,000 drones blending immersive visuals and live stage action. Comprising two sculptural towers, Avita and Bella, PASSO offers 625 residences in a refined mix of layouts. From one-bedroom retreats and two-to-four-bedroom-plus lifestyle homes to expansive five-bedroom penthouses and six ultra-exclusive beachfront mansions, each home is designed to evoke comfort, connection, and effortless elegance. Scheduled for completion in Q3 2029, PASSO reflects BEYOND's commitment to human-centric spaces that promote wellbeing and enrich daily life and presents an exceptional investment opportunity. 'PASSO is not just a new address; it is a strategic leap in our journey to craft places that resonate on a deeper human level,' said Adil Taqi, CEO of BEYOND Developments. 'Its vision is anchored in three pillars: the Address, the Landmark, and the Experience. We believe architecture should do more than shape skylines, it should inspire emotion, foster connection, and create meaningful experiences. Palm Jumeirah, with its international prestige and unparalleled seafront setting, provides the ideal foundation for this philosophy.' Taqi continued, 'Dubai today is more than a thriving metropolis; it is a global benchmark for visionary urbanism. Its leadership, infrastructure, and investment ecosystem continue to set new standards for what cities can become. At BEYOND, we are not simply responding to this momentum; we are actively contributing to it, shaping places, elevating experiences, and defining the future of real estate in the region.' PASSO offers hospitality-inspired residences across three signature collections: Wellness, Elite, and Signature, featuring world-class lifestyle amenities including a shaded Piazza, a 260-square-meter Wellness Pavilion, a Montessori-inspired Kids' Pavilion, cascading pools, 250 meters of private white-sand beach, rooftop sky gardens, a 360-degree infinity pool with uninterrupted sea and skyline views. As BEYOND continues to grow its presence across the UAE and globally, PASSO stands as a confident expression of its evolving legacy. *Source: AETOSWire View source version on Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Business Wire India. Business Upturn take no editorial responsibility for the same. Ahmedabad Plane Crash
