By 1969, Frozen Food Express Industries became a publically traded corporation with stocks that persists to out perform competitors. “Frozen Food Express” became a subsidiary.
FFE acquired the operations of several LTL truckload companies as well as assets from Lisa Motor Lines of Fort Worth, TX by 1988. Combined, operations grew to servicing 48 states.
The company’s lease purchase program was restructured for prospective Owner Operators and renamed Drive-to-Own. In addition, FFE established a Driver Academy for students. FFE decided to get back to its deep roots and solely operate as a refrigerated motor carrier. FFE’s tanker division, however, continued to expand.
Frozen Food Express was founded in 1945. With main operating rights initially in Texas; from the beginning, the company specialized in transporting refrigerated products.
The company began operating in 23 states; mostly Midwest and Southwest. At this time; out of 100 registered refrigerated carriers with the Interstate Commerce Commission, FFE was the 3rd largest based on operating value.
In 1991 FFE was the nations largest publicly owned full service motor carrier for transporting refrigerated commodities in the United States. Forbes Magazine named the company one of 200 best companies to work for which resulted in an increase in investor interest. With more acquisitions, by 1994, FFE was making regularly scheduled stops in over 7,000 cities stretching as far as Mexico. Divisions now included dry van, intermodal, brokerage, and tanker services.