Learn more about how Ricos is responding to concerns about Coronavirus (COVID-19)LEARN MORE Sign Up For The Cheese Feed - Header Subscribe Now Ricos History The Liberto Family business was founded in 1909 by Rosario Liberto after he arrived in America from Sicily. His son, Enrico Liberto, second generation, revived the business in 1933 after his father filed for bankruptcy during the era of the Great Depression. Enrico’s son, Frank Liberto, third generation, took over the business in 1960 when his father became blind. Frank pioneered concession nachos in 1976. One of Frank’s three children, Tony Liberto, fourth generation, serves as President and CEO. Megan MacDiarmid, one of Frank’s five grandchildren, makes up the fifth generation of employees. For over a century, the family behind Liberto Specialty Co., Inc. has been making its mark in history. The business has built its brand name on a strong Texas foundation and continues the Liberto legacy of providing their customers with delicious salty snacks. Liberto Specialty Co., Inc. through Ricos Products Co., Inc. manufactures cheese sauces, ready to eat popcorn, sno-cone syrups, nacho & restaurant style tortilla chips, sliced jalapenos, roasted peanuts, and other fun foods, including the product the company made famous: concession nachos. The products are sold in grocery stores, convenience stores and club stores, movie theatres, stadiums & arenas and other fun food venues throughout the United States. Today, Ricos has a presence in over 57 countries with a network of more than 200 distributors worldwide. So when you’re planning your next get together or enjoying your next movie or sporting event, make sure you’re enjoying them with our Ricos products! 1874 1874 Rosario Liberto, son of Salvatore Liberto and Venera Serio Liberto is born. 1890 Late 1800’S The family business, known as Crescent Market, is established in Beaumont, TX and run by Rosario Liberto. 1890 Rosario Liberto immigrates to the United States (New Orleans, LA) from the city of Cefalu, a province of Palermo located..Read More 1898 1898 Liberto house in Paloma, TX. 1900 1900 Rosario Liberto contracts malaria and moves temporarily to San Antonio, TX to recover from his illness. After contracting malaria for..Read More 1901 1901 Enrico Liberto, son of Rosario Liberto and Angelina Rinando Liberto is born. 1905 1905 Rosario Liberto and brother-in-law Joseph Barranco run Crescent Market in Beaumont, TX. 1909 1909 Rosario Liberto moves his business to San Antonio and renames it Liberto Market and Grocery, a retail grocery with a..Read More 1911 1911 The Liberto building on S. Presa. Family 2nd floor balcony. 1918 1918 As competition grows, coffee is no longer lucrative to sell. Owning one of the few coffee roasters in the city..Read More 1921 1921 Liberto building at 701 N. Flores. Left to right: Sam Liberto, Enrico Liberto, and Angelina Rinando Liberto. Photographed in San..Read More 1921 Frank Liberto & Co. delivery truck decorated for Trades Day Parade during Fiesta San Jacinto. Business sells 400,000lbs of roasted..Read More 1926 1926 Liberto building on Durango St. and Flores St. 1929 1929-1931 Stock market crashes in 1929 and the era of the Great Depression begins hitting San Antonio in 1931. 1933 1933 Rosario Liberto struggles with the Great Depression and eventually files for bankruptcy. Rosario later pays all his suppliers back to..Read More 1933 Frank G. Liberto, son of Enrico and Antoinette Liberto, is born. 1934 1934 Enrico “Rico” Liberto restarts the tradition of running a family grocery store and sells institutional wholesale foods and imported spices,..Read More 1940 1940 Rosario Liberto passes away. He paid all his debts before he died. In the process, he created a fine reputation..Read More 1950 1950’S Frank G. Liberto continues to assist his father, Enrico, while attending college at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX...Read More 1956 1956 Frank spends six months on active duty at Fort Sill, OK, however, his military career is shortened. He returns to..Read More 1956 Business moves to 113 West Military Plaza, San Antonio, TX, selling popcorn, peanuts, cotton candy, and sno-cones. 1960 1960 Frank becomes President of Liberto Specialty Co. He establishes Dine-A-Mite Foods, a chain of snack bars and concessions operating in..Read More 1968 1968 Twenty days before the World’s Fair held at Hemisfair in San Antonio, TX, a four alarm fire destroys the Liberto..Read More 1970 1970 Liberto business headquarters is moved to 830 S. Presa, San Antonio, TX. Liberto distribution located on S. Staples St. in..Read More 1973 1973 Liberto purchases Corpus Christi Concessions. The offices moved to 514 Powers St. across from the Corpus Christi courthouse. 1974 1974 Liberto distribution bought Houston Popcorn. There was currently no theatre business before this. Liberto distribution gained a location in Harlingen..Read More 1976 1976 The company introduces Concession Nachos at Arlington Stadium in Arlington, TX. Baseball fans are treated to a new taste –..Read More 1977 Late 1977 Nachos are actively promoted in tradeshows and fairs across the United States to get the nacho craze started. The biggest..Read More 1977 The company introduces Concession Nachos at Texas Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. Nachos catch the imagination of everybody including..Read More 1977 Frank Liberto closes Dine-A-Mite Foods in order to devote full time to Liberto Specialty Co., Inc. Liberto’s bought Associated Popcorn..Read More 1979 1979 Liberto Distribution gained United Artist southeastern business. Shortly after they opened locations in Charlotte, NC and Tampa, FL. 1980 1980-1981 Liberto Distribution purchases Blevins Popcorn. The headquarters is in Memphis, TN. There were also locations in Florida, the Carolinas, and..Read More 1980 As the spicy snack becomes a “hot cake” and tops the revenue charts in theatres’ concessions, Liberto earns the title..Read More 1983 1983 Ricos is introduced to Sam’s Club in Dallas. Popcorn plant opens in Dallas, TX. 1984 1984 HEB begins buying Ricos products. 1985 1985 The business’ headquarters is moved to 621 S. Flores, San Antonio, TX. 1987 1987 Frank Liberto named “Man of the Year” by the National Association of Concessionaires (NAC) in recognition of introducing Nachos to..Read More 1988 1988 Frank Liberto establishes and develops the Associated Network of Distributors, Inc., a computer based service bureau which allows theatre chains..Read More 1992 1992 A new concept for nachos is introduced to the marketplace. Portion pack cheese for nachos, a portion controlled cheese cup,..Read More 1994 1994 Ricos gets their first international customer, Mexico. As theatres invested in business in the international markets, Ricos expanded with them...Read More 2006 2006 Tony Liberto, fourth generation and son of Frank and Patricia Liberto, named President of Ricos Products Co., Inc. 2007 2007 Liberto Distribution sold. 2008 2008 The company opens a tortilla chip and popcorn plant in Lewisville, TX. Ricos popcorn is introduced to schools. Nachos continue..Read More 2009 2009 The Liberto Family business celebrates 100 years! 2010 2010 Ricos Products Co., Inc. and Liberto Cash & Carry move back to 830 S. Presa, San Antonio, TX in a..Read More 2011 2011- 2013 Ricos is introduced to the European Retail Market. Ricos reaches distribution in 57 countries around the world. 2015 2015 A new brand is created called Texan Original. Texan Original truly captures the special nature of authentic Texas flavors. The..Read More 2016 2016 Ricos.com launches its all new website. The new site features its core Ricos brand plus the newly introduced Texan Original..Read More 2016 Ricos creates and introduces their first Fiesta medal in San Antonio, TX commemorating the 40th anniversary of the creation of..Read More Get The Cheese News! Recipes, events and the latest products Sign Up For The Cheese Feed Subscribe Now Products Company Info Business Solutions © Copyright 2021 Ricos. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Privacy Policy | Legal