Global, family-owned food company Rich Products (Rich’s) has unveiled its latest investment at its headquarters in Buffalo. The newly redesigned $3.2 million Customer Innovation Center occupies a setting that was formerly considered “underutilized.” Now it features flexible collaboration areas, an innovation studio, and dedicated photography and videography spaces. The modern, digitally powered destination is powered by cutting-edge technology, including video walls, ultra-wide screens and smart displays – perfect for both in person and online customer experiences.
The fully functional, high-end culinary and hospitality areas have been designed for on-demand content creation, such as live events, webinars, trainings, and podcasts. This includes capacity for commercial and home cooking demonstrations, as well as product showcases.
“Innovation doesn’t happen in isolation,” said Richard Ferranti, CEO, Rich Products. “It happens when our associates and customers collaborate to solve real challenges. This center is designed to accelerate that process, bringing together people, technology, culinary expertise and creativity in one place. It’s an investment in our customers, the future growth of Rich’s and Buffalo – the city we’ve proudly called home for more than 80 years.”
The addition of the Customer Innovation Center at Rich’s innovation hub is yet another part of the global food company’s strategic expansion of its Niagara Street campus. In 2025, Rich’s announced that one of its subsidiary businesses – ROAR Logistics – was relocating from Larkinville to 1120 Niagara Street in the former Oliver Gear Building. Rich’s also recently acquired the historic 42,300 SF Curtiss Malt House property at 1100 Niagara Street. They have yet to announce what the function of the massive building will ultimately entail. Work is well underway on both projects, with a total price tag of $10 million.
Along with the $3.2 million investment into its Customer Innovation Center, it looks as if the private, family-owned company remains happily committed to the city of Buffalo, where it all began in 1945.