KIRKWOOD -- Willow Run Foods said it has received two significant contracts that will lead to about 30 new jobs at the Kirkwood-based food systems distributor.
The company has signed a four-year extension with ARCOP to continue distribution for nearly 400 Arby's throughout the Northeast, including the Binghamton area. Revenues from the contract are estimated to be about $380 million, Willow Run President and Chief Executive Officer Terry Wood said. Willow Run has serviced ARCOP for 10 years.
Willow Run also has signed a five-year agreement valued at about $300 million to service existing Sonic drive-ins throughout the Northeast starting in February. Some locations in the Binghamton-area could eventually be included in that Sonic mix.
"It does two things for us," Wood said. "One, it validates our service and our company in that we were able to extend an ongoing contract. And it's very exciting for us to be considered and chosen for new business, especially for something like Sonic, which is growing so dramatically."
Willow Run's business growth will result in the immediate hiring of about 30 drivers, warehouse personnel and supervisors, Wood said. Willow Run, an employee-owned company, has about 400 employee owners.
The company's warehouse workers are paid $10-$13 an hour, Wood said. Drivers, on average, receive $45,000-$50,000 a year, he said. Supervisors are paid about $25,000-$35,000 a year depending on the position and level of experience.
Oklahoma City-based Sonic does not have a restaurant in New York state, according to its Web site. But Wood said the chain has rapid expansion plans for the Northeast, including possibly opening four locations in the Binghamton area.
A Sonic representative did not return a call for comment.
Marc Newman, managing member of Vestal-based Newman Development Group, said his business has shown Sonic representatives a few area sites for possible restaurants. Sonic seems committed to opening at least a few area drive-ins, but has not confirmed with NDG any specific sites, Newman said.