Holmes Foods began in 1925 as ice plant and began doing 'backyard processing', with the slaughter done across the street in what is now the parking lot. The business grew into a processor of turkeys, heavy hens, broilers and even ducks. This developed into a co-op with the Holmes Foods 'Fresh Texas Chicken' doing the processing, feed supplied by S.R. Lester and Sons, and the hatchery owned by Ricky Lester. These three operations were combined in 2000 into the Holmes Foods Company, with the Holmes name retained because it was known for the processed products. Holmes Foods is a single-plant operation who processes under full USDA inspection and HAACP regulations. Holmes Foods has a third party audited Animal Welfare program in place and the processing plant is BRC Certified. Holmes Foods processes and packages young, “small” birds primarily for the Food Service and Retail Deli markets. Holmes Foods focus is fresh, bone-in chicken such as whole birds and cut up chicken. In 2002, the further processing division of Holmes Foods, Rio Grande Pak Foods, was founded. Located in McAllen, TX, their primary focus is custom deboning, marinating, sizing, and packaging. Holmes Foods produces and slaughters over 780,000 broilers per week averaging a target live weight of 4.25lb (1.93kg) each. These products are sold through distribution channels to specialty markets and food-service customers. As of 2021, WATT PoultryUSA top US broiler producers list ranked Holmes Foods, Inc. 25th of 32.