CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - An online meal service, MealPro, founded in 2018, with corporate headquarters at 7433 Greenback Lane in Citrus Heights, has reached a new milestone, with the purchase of its building, a transaction which will double the size of its current operations.

The company as Sartori Holdings, LLC, purchased 7433 Greenback Lane for $3.23 million from investor Ethan Conrad, said founder Andy Sartori, using financing from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

MealPro closed escrow on March 11, for the 18,208 square foot property and will expand into vacant space within the building. A separate business entity, Andy Sartori Investments, will earn then revenue by leasing the remaining portions of the building.

The recent transaction allows MealPro to expand kitchen and meal production space from 4,000 to 11,000 square feet.

In early May, MealPro plans to open an adjacent retail store to serve local customers who purchase a 7 or 14 day meal plan and prefer in-person pickup. While in-person pickup has always been offered in its main office lobby, the new retail store will provide a more comfortable setting for customers to do so.

MealPro, founded in 2018, now serves over 10,000 customers nationwide. “We’re a steadily growing company,” Sartori said.

“We’ve achieved our goal of buying the space which we were leasing in Citrus Heights,” Sartori said. We looked at other local options but determined this location, Greenback Lane, was our best choice.”

The company grew without venture fund investment, carefully watching its finances and its capital expenditures, Sartori said.

Sartori said his company had to provide three years of tax returns to qualify for the federal SBA funding program and submitted is information on the first day eligible to do so. He had begun exploring a building purchase plan last spring in order to consolidate operations for a leased location in Sacramento.

“MealPro is now truly a national company,” Sartori said. By purchasing its food both locally and regionally, the Citrus Heights company seeks to return revenue back into the local community, he said.

The company’s website shows 30 different entrees, and customers can order 18 or 20 meals in each box. Meals are priced at about $10 each, and Sartori said customers typically receive their box the next day.

Sartori founded MealPro while working in the technology sector in Silicon Valley. He said he found other internet-based meal plans didn’t allow flexibility in meal choice or provide for healthier options.

In its Citrus Heights kitchens, MealPro has a crew of 10 full-time workers, but hires additional employees as situations warrant. Unlike other meal prep services, MealPro has no fixed menus.

The company customers can pick the meals they prefer from a rotating menu. Its pre-cooked meals are made fresh daily and are delivered to the customer’s door. Each meal is plated in a microwave safe food container and individually vacuum sealed to retain freshness. Meals are delivered in a corrugated box with a special thermal and dry ice to make sure they arrive in optimal condition, Sartori said.

With special emphasis on training employees and quality control, Sartori said he wants to give his customers a way to fully customize the food they eat.

A rapidly growing business segment is its medical meal delivery service, allowing customers to tailor their meals to their specific condition and diet type.

“We’re excited to be able to expand our business operations in Citrus Heights and better serve our customers,” Sartori said.

View sample menus on the MealPro web site at mealpro.net or call (844) 463-2577 for more information.