Plant City cookie and bun bakery plans big expansion

Construction has started on a major expansion of a commercial bakery that produces cookies and hot dog and hamburger buns.

The work will add 83,000 square feet to the 120,000 square-foot Toufayan Bakeries factory. The first phase of construction will be finished in June, with a second phase scheduled for completion in November.

The expansion includes a new production line and warehouse space. The bakery has 160 full time employees, a number that might increase when the expansion is complete.

Orlando-based general contractor R.C. Stevens Construction Co. broke ground in mid-February at the plant off U.S. 92 east of Park Road.

The plant opened in 1985 and has changed hands a few times over the years.

Toufayan Bakeries was founded in 1926 and its products also include pita, pitettes, Mediterranean flatbreads, bagels and more. It also has locations in Orlando and New Jersey.