Partnering for Success

“It’s the partnership that matters,” said Bart Vittori, Chief Financial Officer of Meats by Linz.

Founded in 1963 by Martin Linz in Calumet City, Illinois, Meats by Linz started as a small family-owned and operated butcher shop. Fast-forward 60 years and Meats by Linz has become a large-scale operation, owning the entire ranch-to-restaurant process and serving multiple states and countries. “We specialize in premium handcrafted gourmet meats, prioritizing quality and flavor to ensure every product is made with the finest ingredients,” Vittori added.

In 2022, with the business growing rapidly, the time came for Meats by Linz to build a new facility to house its expanding operations. However, for Vittori, securing the necessary financing was a significant concern.

“I didn’t want to be part of a bank where I felt secondary; I wanted us to be primary — customer service, partnership — those were the key words in my mind when choosing a bank to partner with.” – Bart Vittori, Chief Financial Officer, Meats by Linz

Vittori sought a finance partner who would understand the company’s history and financial goals. This would allow him and his team to focus on the new facility project and their additional responsibilities. 

Finding the Right Partner

They found that partner in Chris Conversa, Senior Vice President of Wintrust Commercial Banking. Conversa explains, “Concentrating on getting to know Mr. Vittori and the business allowed Wintrust to develop a true partnership and financial solutions that best fit Meats by Linz’s needs while allowing Mr. Vittori and his team to focus on the development of their new facility.”

Vittori said, “Wintrust guided us through the entire financing process, allowing us to stay focused on our primary responsibilities and ultimately expand Meats by Linz into new markets.”

“I could focus on doing my job because I always knew we’d be taken care of.” – Bart Vittori, Chief Financial Officer, Meats by Linz

Into the Future

Meats by Linz has grown significantly, almost triple in size. Wintrust has helped the company secure increases in its working capital line of credit and equipment loans to support its continued growth.

“With Wintrust, we were primary; they supported us throughout the journey,” states Vittori. Upon the completion of their new 120,000-square-foot facility, the company’s growth will be supported for the next 20 to 30 years.