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Lopez Foods to celebrate 10th Anniversary.

Oklahoma City firm climbs to number one in meat production and 13th largest in annual sales among U.S. Hispanic owned companies.

Oklahoma City, OK (August 6, 2002) – The nation's largest Hispanic-owned meat manufacturing company is celebrating ten years of growth and success with customers, families, friends and associates, from near and far. The Lopez Foods, Inc. plant in Oklahoma City, will be the site of a gathering of national VIPs from various spheres of influence who the company recognizes as stakeholders in its continued progress.

The day-long celebration will attract senior management from the McDonald's Corporation and Wal-Mart Stores-two of Lopez Foods' major customers, McDonald's restaurant owners and operators from across the country, Lopez Foods suppliers, representatives from the most respected U.S. Hispanic business advocacy organizations, Lopez Foods' 370 local employees and other guests.

"It would not be a celebration if the people and organizations who contributed to the growth and success of our business over the past ten years did not attend,"" said John C. Lopez, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

"This event allows us to pause and give thanks to those responsible for the good fortune we have experienced in our business," explained Lopez. "We are extremely proud of the contributions we are making as a business-and corporate citizen-to our clients, our business partners, our employees and their families, and to the community of Oklahoma City."

The company has experienced a tremendous rate of growth, especially in recent years. In 2001, Lopez Foods realized a 97 percent growth increase over its previous year's sales through acquisition and internally generated growth, ranking it 13th among Hispanic Business Magazine's "Hispanic Business 500." The nationally distributed magazine lists U.S. Hispanic-owned businesses by annual sales.

Lopez Foods' 185,000 square foot meat processing facility sits on a 32 acre site in western Oklahoma City. Although the company manufactures products millions of Americans consume on a daily basis, most do not recognize the name. This is due to its trustworthy reputation among its more recognizable clients.

It produces all-beef hamburger patties, pork sausage patties, and Canadian-style bacon for the McDonald's restaurant chain across the country and into Latin America and supplies a variety of meat products to Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Lopez Foods' CARNECO Foods subsidiary produces all-beef hamburger products for Wal-Mart and Sam's Clubs as well as grocery stores and restaurant chains nationwide.

The company was originally a subsidiary of Wilson Foods, who built a plant in 1971 to manufacture beef patties for McDonald's. It spun off into Normac Foods in 1989. The Lopez family purchased the company in 1992, and in 1995 changed its name to Lopez Foods, Inc. That marked the dawning of a new era in the company's relationship with its customers and the Oklahoma City community, culminating in this ten year celebration.

A 19-year veteran of the McDonald's system, Lopez used his experience to make the company more compatible with McDonald's operations and management philosophies. Using the same management techniques which made McDonald's the leader in its field, Lopez Foods has become a top supplier to the world's restaurant leader and has expanded its product lines and services to its other customers, including the world's largest retailer: Wal-Mart Stores.

With Lopez at the helm, the company has averaged $184 million in annual sales for the last five years. Its mission is to establish the highest industry standards in food and employee safety, quality production, environmental protection, and customer service. Utilization of a modern, recently expanded facility, along with the newest technologies in food production, analysis, and preventative maintenance programs, ensures it will meet these exacting standards.

"Our goal is to have Lopez Foods prosper, along with our associates and the communities in which we live," says Lopez. "We are proud of the successes we have enjoyed and look forward to increasing our contributions to the quality of life and continued progress of Oklahoma City."

Serving with Chairman and CEO John C. Lopez on the Lopez Foods executive team are Charlie Barajas, President and COO, James D. English, Senior Vice President and CFO, Vice President of Operations, J. Richard Garofolo and John W. Schaller, and Assistant Vice President Richard E. Lane.

Lopez and wife Pat are originally from Glendale, Arizona and have three married daughters and two sons. Sons John Patrick and Dave are members of the Lopez Foods management team headquartered in Oklahoma City. Daughters Kathy Thorley, Kristy Berdin and Karen McWilliams are all McDonald's owner/operators in Texas and Oklahoma.

Lopez Foods employs over 700 people in its corporate headquarters and three plants-in Oklahoma City, Columbus, Nebraska, and Guatemala City, Guatemala.

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