Louis Flores Ruiz, co-founder and Chairman Emeritus of Ruiz Foods, Inc. based in Dinuba, CA, born in Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico on October 30, 1918 to Mexican emigrants Luis and Lucita Ruiz, died Sunday morning at his home in Dinuba, CA. Ruiz Foods is the largest frozen Mexican food manufacturing company in the United States, the second largest Hispanic-owned manufacturing firm in the United States and the largest Hispanic-owned manufacturing firm in the State of California.

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The parents of Louis Ruiz chose to come to America when Pancho Villa seized their land during the Mexican revolution. Mr. Ruiz was 5 at the time but vividly remembered fleeing in the middle of the night to a new land offering hope and a future – America.

Newly married with two children, and living in Los Angeles, CA, Louis Ruiz became a United States citizen when he joined the Army on December 27, 1944.

After receiving an honorable discharge on December 23, 1945, Louis Ruiz first worked as a grocery store owner, then as an insurance salesman and then, joining his brothers and brother-in-law co-founded a large tortilla factory where they pioneered the automation of tortilla production – moving away from mechanical “hand-thrown” tortillas – while maintaining what was always so critical to him – product quality and consistency.

An entrepreneur and innovator at heart, Louis Ruiz was always experimenting – trying a new recipe or going to his workshop and building a new machine. 

Louis Ruiz was a part of “the greatest generation” and it is this history that explains his work ethic and ‘can do’ attitude.  In fact, as a boy, Louis Ruiz was known to sell newspapers on street corners, feather-dusters door-to-door – sometimes holding two and three jobs at a time.

In 1964, Louis Ruiz, in partnership with his son, Fred, formed Ruiz Foods, Inc. Mr. Ruiz sold frozen enchiladas, tamales and burritos to ‘mom and pop’ grocery stores throughout the Central San Joaquin Valley in the morning and delivered their orders in the afternoon. Perhaps that is why his grandchildren lovingly referred to him as “Superman.”

It was when Ruiz Foods began to build their current facility in Dinuba, California that Louis Ruiz began building a home on “D” Hill in Dinuba. There, once again, he proved what his entrepreneurial attitude could accomplish with hard work and a ‘no quit’ attitude.  With both pleasure and patience, he moved rocks and planted fruit trees and flowering bushes—turning what was once a desolate hill into an oasis admired by anyone who came to visit.

Louis Ruiz formally retired in 1990 from the family business he loved so dearly – yet he never really stopped working.  He was known to visit the Dinuba Ruiz facility frequently and spend most of his time in the Maintenance Department – he loved to make and fix equipment – and he loved to see the maintenance crew. Yes, Mr. Ruiz loved visiting team members … checking to see that “everyone was working.”

While playing a key role in the growth and development of Ruiz Foods, his fondest memories included meeting President Ronald Regan and Vice President George Bush in the Rose Garden of the White House in 1983.  It was then that the company received the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Small Business Person’s of the Year Award.  During this visit to Washington, D. C., Mr. Ruiz was asked to participate in a military ceremony and, with tears of pride, placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Then in October, 2003, Louis Ruiz once again shook hands with a man named Mr. Bush – it was President George W. Bush and, this time, the President came to Dinuba and to Ruiz Foods.  As President Bush said of Louis Ruiz in his speech, “I’d also like to thank the hospitality Louis Ruiz has shown me, the patriarch of this great family, the initial dreamer … to build and create … a chance for … people to realize their dreams.”

Late in 2004, Louis Ruiz became the 14th person to be named to the Tortilla Industry Association Hall of Fame – a distinction reserved for those individuals who have made positive contributions to the industry through technical or significant innovations in products, equipment or ingredients while attaining business success.

Louis F. Ruiz was many things to many people:  A gentle and loving husband, father, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather; a loyal and inspiring mentor and friend; a pioneer and legendary entrepreneur; a generous and compassionate advocate of integrity, honesty, respect and the American Dream.

The family requests that any remembrances be made to: Ruiz 4 Kids, Louis F. Ruiz Scholarship Fund, P. O. Box 37, Dinuba, CA; e-mail . Condolences may be sent to the family at
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About Ruiz Foods, Inc.
Ruiz Foods is a privately owned corporation with corporate offices in Dinuba, CA.  Third generation Kim Ruiz Beck, the elder daughter of Chairman and CEO Fred Ruiz, is Vice Chairman.  Bryce Ruiz, the elder son, is President and COO. 

Ruiz Foods is dedicated to premium quality, authentically prepared frozen Mexican foods selling to all channels of distribution:  retail, convenience store, entertainment, clubs, vending, industrial and foodservice.  The signature brand is El Monterey®. Ruiz is the market leader within the frozen Mexican food category, manufactures the #1 Brand of frozen Mexican food in the U.S. and employs over 2,500 Team Members in three facilities located in the United States.  ##