Chick-fil-A and TGI Fridays' Cherry Supplier Reportedly Ran Drug Operation at Factory In a dark twist, the longtime owner of Dell's Maraschino Cherries committed suicide after police reportedly uncovered a marijuana-growing operation hidden underneath the factory.

By Kate Taylor

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Dell’s Maraschino Cherries
Dell’s Maraschino Cherries Factory

Dell's Maraschino Cherries, the cherry supplier for chains including Chick-fil-A, TGI Fridays and Red Lobster, was revealed to be involved in an underground drug operation, reports the New York Daily News. In a tragic twist of events that feels ripped from that pages of an HBO script, longtime owner Arthur Mondella committed suicide on Tuesday after police discovered evidence of marijuana at the cherry factory.

Related: Red Robin Promises Free Lenten Crab Cake Burger If Pope Francis Visits

Police say they had originally been at the cherry plant to investigate the factory's environmental impact on the surrounding area. However, after Mondella's death, police reportedly found 80 pounds of marijuana and an immense amount of cash in the factory. Entering a secret entrance leading underneath the warehouse, sources told the Daily News that police additionally discovered a marijuana-growing operation and pricey vehicles including a Porsche, a Rolls-Royce and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Dell's Maraschino Cherries was founded in 1948 by Mondella's grandfather, Arthur Mondella Sr., and his father, Ralph Mondella. The company, which processes more than 14 million pounds of cherries a year, recently completed an identity revamp in 2014, which included modernizing the logo and updating its manufacturing site.

Dell's Maraschino Cherries Factory

Dell's Maraschino Cherries Factory

Related: Shake Shack Is 100 Times More Successful Than McDonald's on Instagram, Analysts Say

Kate Taylor

Reporter

Kate Taylor is a reporter at Business Insider. She was previously a reporter at Entrepreneur. Get in touch with tips and feedback on Twitter at @Kate_H_Taylor. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Starting a Business

"Nothing Is Obvious the First Time": How This Serial Entrepreneur Is Redefining Sports Media with On3

On3 founder and serial entrepreneur Shannon Terry shares his thoughts on the evolving sports media landscape and his insights on building and growing a business from personal experience.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

Walmart Is Laying Off Hundreds, Relocating Others as the Company Closes a U.S. Office

Walmart is giving some employees at least a month to decide if they want to relocate.

Growing a Business

What Our Digital World Is Missing — and How I Turned It Into $100 Million After Dropping Out of High School

I went from high school dropout to $100 million CEO by sticking to one very important learning principle.